Last S.C. disaster recovery centers close as federal agencies scale back operations

The last three remaining disaster recovery centers in South Carolina will close this week.

Recovery centers opened in Columbia, Kingstree and Sumter after the historic Oct. 4 storm will close at 6 p.m. Friday. The centers are the last of 32 statewide to close as federal disaster agencies scale back operations in South Carolina.

The last Columbia center is at a library at 7421 Garners Ferry Road. The centers are staffed by representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration and South Carolina Emergency Management Division who can help residents affected by the storm.

Those residents still can reach FEMA and the SBA online or by phone.

Residents may call FEMA at 800-621-3362 or visit disasterassistance.gov to check the status of their applications. SBA loan applicants may visit disasterloan.sba.gov/ela or call the SBA’s helpline at 800-659-2955.

More than 101,600 residents statewide registered with FEMA after the flooding. The agency so far has approved $84 million in disaster aid for individuals and households, spokesman Jim Homstad said.

The SBA so far has approved more than $140 million in low-interest loans for businesses, homeowners and renters, spokeswoman Mary Gipson said.

This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 1:40 PM.