Greenwood, October 19, 2025

News Summary

Residents affected by Hurricane Helene in Greenwood can find essential recovery resources at a Mobile Intake event from October 21 to 23, 2025. Organized by the South Carolina Office of Resilience and United Way of the Lakelands, the event will assist families with housing, utility, food, and employment needs. Participants should bring essential documents such as photo ID and proof of storm damage. The community faces significant challenges, having reported over $2.4 million in property damage and thousands applying for FEMA assistance.

Greenwood

Residents affected by Hurricane Helene can access vital recovery resources during a Mobile Intake event from October 21 to 23, 2025, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day at United Way of the Lakelands, 929 Phoenix Street in Greenwood. This event, organized by the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) in collaboration with United Way of the Lakelands, aims to provide support to families in need of housing, utility, food, and employment assistance.

United Way Executive Director Denise Holland expects the event to serve approximately 40 to 50 households. To facilitate support, attendees are advised to bring essential documents including photo identification, Social Security cards for all household members, and proof of storm damage such as photographs and insurance documents. SCOR’s disaster case management team will be present to review documentation and assess storm-related losses.

A variety of support services will be available at the event, including childcare referrals, job and benefits assistance, as well as youth programs through United Way’s partner agencies.

Hurricane Impact and Recovery Efforts

Hurricane Helene caused significant damage in Greenwood, with fallen trees obstructing roads, particularly at Plowden Avenue and Brannon Street. The storm, which struck on September 27, resulted in one fatality: John Patterson, who suffered injuries from a tree falling into his home.

Prior to the hurricane, heavy rains loosened the soil around trees, leading to widespread uprooting during the high winds. The Emergency Operations Center in Uptown Greenwood served as the command hub during the subsequent state of emergency. A joint press conference was held a week-and-a-half after the storm to lift the state of emergency.

Initial recovery efforts concentrated on clearing debris and assessing property damage. Power was restored to key businesses within days of the hurricane. So far, residents have reported over $2.4 million in property damage. Nearly 20,000 residents in Greenwood County have applied for FEMA individual assistance, with just over 12,000 deemed eligible. FEMA has distributed more than $14 million in individual assistance to date.

Debris Collection and Support Programs

As part of the recovery process, Greenwood County has collected 32,078 tons of vegetative debris and 6,449 tons of construction debris at the local landfill. Additionally, 16 residents applied for FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, with 12 residents still temporarily housed as of March 16.

The South Carolina Office of Resilience will hold a public meeting on June 12 to gather community input regarding the allocation of $150.3 million in federal recovery funds related to Hurricane Helene. The draft Action Plan from SCOR for these funds includes initiatives for single-family home repairs, affordable rental housing rehabilitation, and mitigation efforts. Input collected during the public meeting will inform the final version of the Action Plan submitted to HUD.

Property Tax Review Process

Greenwood County officials announced a review process for property tax values for homes significantly damaged by the hurricane. This review may lead to temporary reductions in tax rates until necessary repairs are completed. Residents are required to submit requests for property value adjustments by January 15, 2025.

Summary

As Greenwood continues to recover from Hurricane Helene, efforts from local and federal agencies aim to restore normalcy for residents. With key resources available and a collaborative approach to recovery, the community seeks to rebuild and support those affected by the devastating storm.

FAQ

• What is the Mobile Intake event in Greenwood?

  Residents impacted by Hurricane Helene can access recovery resources at a Mobile Intake event from October 21-23, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at United Way of the Lakelands, 929 Phoenix Street in Greenwood.

• Who is hosting the Mobile Intake event?

  The event is hosted by the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) in partnership with United Way of the Lakelands to assist families with housing, utility, food, and employment assistance.

• How many households is the event expected to serve?

  United Way Executive Director Denise Holland anticipates serving 40 to 50 households during the event.

• What should attendees bring to the Mobile Intake event?

  Attendees are encouraged to bring photo identification, Social Security cards for all household members, and proof of storm damage (e.g., photos, insurance documents).

• What was the extent of damage reported in Greenwood?

  So far, residents have reported over $2.4 million in property damage.

• How many residents applied for FEMA assistance in Greenwood?

  Close to 20,000 residents in Greenwood County requested FEMA individual assistance, with slightly over 12,000 deemed eligible.

• What is the deadline to submit review requests for property tax values?

  The deadline for residents to submit review requests to adjust property values is January 15, 2025.

Key Features of the Recovery Efforts

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

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Georgia Farmers Face Delays in Federal Aid After Hurricane Helene
Tragic Car Crash in Greenwood Leaves One Dead
Tropical Storm Helene Causes Widespread Devastation in South Carolina
Greenwood Launches Pilot Program for Sustainability and Resilience
South Carolina Secures $150 Million for Hurricane Recovery
South Carolina Allocates $150 Million for Hurricane Helene Recovery
HUD Approves $150 Million Recovery Plan for South Carolina
Lake Greenwood State Park to Improve Internet Services
Lutheran Services Carolinas Receives Grants for Hurricane Helene Recovery

Additional Resources

• Index Journal: Hurricane Helene Recovery
• Wikipedia: Hurricane Helene
• WYFF4: Wanted Man Arrested After Helene
• Google Search: Hurricane Helene recovery
• Spectrum News: Red Cross Assistance
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane Helene
• Fox Carolina: Property Tax Review for Helene Damaged Homes
• Google News: Greenwood County Hurricane Helene
• Index Journal: Town Hall on Recovery Plan
• SC Daily Gazette: Helene Deaths and Cleanup Problems

Author: HERE Greenwood

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