Hurricane Helene

We are working closely with government agencies and our Community Impact Partners to evaluate and address the impacts of Hurricane Helene in our Midlands community.
Get Involved

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, United Way of the Midlands is committed to supporting our neighbors through this challenging time and beyond.

We are working closely with government agencies and our Community Impact Partners to evaluate and address the impacts of Helene in the Midlands. While the storm has passed, we recognize that many areas are still dealing with ongoing flooding and its effects. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this disaster as we come together to rebuild and recover. 

This page will be updated regularly as new information becomes available. If you have an update, please contact us at lgould@uway.org. 

How to Get Help

Emergency Information

Visit the South Carolina Emergency Management Division website for up-to-date information on the situation and official guidance. SCEMD also maintains an updated list of listing of Emergency Shelters.

Non-Emergency Assistance

In Helene's wake, many are facing shortages of food, water, and shelter. If you or someone you know needs non-emergency assistance, please contact SC 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or texting "HELP" or "AYUDA" to 211-211, or go to sc211.org.

FEMA Assistance

Homeowners and renters in eligible counties who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Helene can apply for FEMA disaster assistance. FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. The quickest way to apply is to go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.

Eligible counties include Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union and York counties, as well as tribal members of the Catawba Indian Nation.

Debris and Damage Cleanup

If you need help with damage cleanup after Hurricane Helene, reach out to Crisis Cleanup at 844-965-1386. 

Volunteers may assist with:
-Mucking out
-Tree cleanup
-Tarping roofs
-Debris clearing

All services are free, but availability isn’t guaranteed.

Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities

Please use Able SC's emergency line at 800.681.6805 or their website. If calling after business hours, please call 1.803.233.2974 or 1.803.233.2616.

Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP)

The uninsured can request a free 30-day supply of certain prescription medications at any EPAP-participating pharmacy which can be renewed every 30 days while the EPAP is active. The program also pays for replacements of some types of durable medical equipment and supplies such as canes; crutches; walkers; wheelchairs; blood sugar meters, and blood sugar test strips for diabetics. Vaccinations provided by retail pharmacies also may be covered under EPAP. More information is available on the HHS.gov website.

How to Give Help

While the full impact of Hurricane Helene is still unfolding, your support can make a significant difference in our community's recovery. We're working closely with our partner agencies in the community to keep this information updated as conditions evolve.

Donate Money

  • Midlands Community Response Fund: The Midlands Community Response Fund is a joint initiative of Central Carolina Community Foundation, United Way of the Midlands, United Way of Sumter, Clarendon and Lee Counties, United Way of Kershaw County, and United Way of the Lakelands.
  • United Way Association of South Carolina Disaster Fund: All funds raised through this form will be directed to help recovery and relief efforts for South Carolina residents affected by Hurricane Helene. You will be able to choose the county you'd like to help. The United Way Association of South Carolina will underwrite all administrative costs associated with dispersing these funds, and 100% of funds received will go directly to supporting recovery efforts.
     

DONATE SUPPLIES

We are collecting non-perishable food and supplies through our Neighbors United Drive to restock local food pantries and aid recovery efforts. Donations will be sent directly to neighboring United Ways and our local partner agencies in the areas most affected by Helene, providing immediate relief and preparing for any future storms that may affect our state this hurricane season. We're currently prioritizing resource requests from agencies in our six-county service area (Calhoun, Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, and Richland).

Donate to the Neighbors United Drive

Additionally, our nonprofit partners have shared the following opportunities to donate supplies for relief and recovery efforts:

Harvest Hope Food Bank

Harvest Hope Food Bank is accepting food donations at their Midlands location (2220 Shop Road, Columbia, SC 29201). Most needed items are:

  • Microwavable Pop-Top Meals
  • Microwavable Pop-Top Cans of Soup
  • Pop-Top Canned Goods (vegetables, beans)
  • Canned or Pouch Proteins Packed in Water (tuna, chicken)
  • Snack Items (granola bars, peanut butter, crackers)
Mission Lexington

Mission Lexington is accepting food donations at 216 Harmon Street, Lexington, SC 29072. Most needed items are:

  • Peanut Butter
  • Soup (any kind)
  • Canned Tuna or Chicken
Transitions Homeless Center

Transitions is in need of supplies due to an influx of clients. Most needed items are:

  • Water
  • Emergency Sleeping Pads (50)
  • Small bar soaps
  • Toiletries

Contact Shanice Bligen at sbligen@transitionssc.org for more information.

Latino Community Development

Latino Community Development is in need of supplies at 209 Dawson Road, Unit 1, Columbia, SC 29223.

  • Water
  • Batteries
  • Flashlights
  • Charging stations

Please reach out to Tanya Rodriguez-Hodges at 803-227-8984 for more information.

Irmo Area Residents

Union Methodist Church at 7582 Woodrow St, Irmo, SC 29063 is in need of donations including:

  • Paper products
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Dry breakfast items for children.

For more information, contact Stacey Atkinson at sfatkinson@icloud.com.

Columbia Housing

Columbia Housing is in need of food for tenants who have no power and whose food has spoiled.

Please reach out to tstewart@columbiahousinsc.org if you can help.

Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center

Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center's We Care 2 Clothing Bank at 1218 Bachelor St., West Columbia, SC 29169 is running out of resources. They are in need of:

  • Clothing
  • Personal supplies
  • Cold and dry food
  • Dairy products
  • Canned and fresh vegetables
  • Water, Gatorade, etc.

Please contact (803)744-7943 or email Theresa Hill at thill@brookland.cc.

Senior Resources

Senior Resources is seeking donations of non-perishable food and supplies to refill their Senior Care Pantry, as it's nearly empty following the storm.

  • Needed items:
    • Pop-top cans of soup, tuna, or chicken
    • Chewy granola bars or cereal bars
    • Pasta/sauce
    • Fruit cups/applesauce
    • Peanut butter & jelly
    • Raisins/dried fruit
    • Powdered/shelf-stable milk
    • Bottled water
    • Juice boxes (no grapefruit juice)
  • Drop-Off Location: 2817 Millwood Ave. Columbia, SC 29025
  • Donation Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Aiken Salvation Army Shelter

Aiken Salvation Army Shelter at 604 Park Ave SE, Aiken, SC 29801 has been without power since Friday. They are in need of:

  • Fresh towels
  • Wash clothes

Contact them at AikenSC@uss.salvationarmy.org.

Chapin We Care Center

The Chapin We Care Pantry is requesting the following most needed items:

  • Jelly/jam (plastic jars)
  • Cereal
  • Chili beans
  • Baked beans
  • Vienna sausages
  • Soup: family size
  • Ramen noodles/soup
  • Spaghetti sauce
  • SpaghettiO's
  • Oatmeal
  • Dish soap
  • Laundry detergent

Donations can be dropped off at 1808 Chapin Road, Chapin SC 29036.

 

 

Volunteer

Recovering from Hurricane Helene will be a long-term process, and volunteer help will be needed for months to come. We are working closely with our partner agencies to share their volunteer opportunities as needs arise.

Neighbors United Drive

Join us as we collect, sort, and pack donated relief supplies to send to our neighbors in need. Each volunteer shift is 2 hours. Shifts are available on Monday, October 14, and Tuesday, October 15.

Sign up to volunteer

Harvest Hope Food Bank

Our community needs your help! Join Harvest Hope as they continue to provide essential relief to those affected by Hurricane Helene. Whether it’s packing, sorting, or distributing supplies, every hand makes a difference.

View available volunteer shifts

Senior Resources

Volunteers are needed to pack and/or deliver meals between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m., Monday through Friday. They welcome one-time volunteers, volunteers who want to deliver on a weekly or monthly basis, and families who want to volunteer together. Substitute delivery volunteers are also needed to replace regular volunteers.

Sign up to volunteer with Senior Resources

Team Rubicon

Volunteer to Help Hurricane Helene Survivors! Another great way to help Florida hurricane victims is by volunteering for disaster relief operations. Team Rubicon volunteers—or Greyshirts—who want to step into the arena should watch their email and phone for deployment opportunities, and register their availability in Roll Call. Not yet signed up as a disaster relief volunteer? 

Join Team Rubicon

Past Opportunities
  • Serve & Connect Hurricane Relief Packing Event on October 3, 2024. Volunteers will be packing 3,000 Greg's Groceries boxes & 1,000 hygiene kits to send to hardest-hit areas in South Carolina and Western North Carolina.
  • Fairfield Forward is looking for volunteers to help assist with packaging FoodShare boxes for the communities in need throughout Fairfield County.
       When: Tuesday, October 8, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
       Where: 100 Tidewater Dr, Winnsboro, SC 29180
       Contact: Genita Green, 803-767-7042, movingfairfieldforward@gmail.com