More than a year after Hurricane Helene brought historic flooding and destructive winds to South Carolina, South Carolina Legal Services is offering free civil legal assistance to help income-eligible residents navigate lingering recovery challenges, according to announcements from the statewide nonprofit and legal reporting outlets.
Free Legal Assistance for Post-Storm Challenges
According to South Carolina Legal Services, survivors are still grappling with delayed insurance payouts, denied FEMA claims, and housing instability. With support from the American Red Cross, the nonprofit law firm provides confidential assistance to help families remove legal roadblocks. More than 430,000 households across South Carolina registered for FEMA assistance following the disaster, as reported by South Carolina Legal Services.
Executive Director Shunna Jeter noted that legal issues frequently surface months or years after a disaster occurs. “Many survivors are dealing with delayed insurance payments, denied FEMA claims and housing challenges that threaten their stability and health,” Jeter said, according to South Carolina Legal Services. The organization’s attorneys and paralegals assist with FEMA appeals, mortgage concerns, bankruptcies, landlord-tenant disputes, and tax relief.
Scope of Destruction and Ongoing Legal Needs
Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26, 2024, in Perry, Florida, as a Category 4 storm before tracking inland. In South Carolina, the storm triggered 21 tornadoes, produced wind gusts reaching 77 mph in Laurens and 75 mph in Beaufort, and dropped between 8 and 24 inches of rain across the Upstate. The resulting floods pushed the Saluda River near Greenville to a record 20.26 feet and the Congaree River near Columbia to nearly 31 feet. The disaster caused 50 deaths statewide, surpassing the toll of Hurricane Hugo.
Beyond physical reconstruction, residents face financial pitfalls such as contractor fraud and property title disputes. South Carolina Legal Services handles cases involving repair scams and title problems required for long-term rebuilding.
How to Access Services
Low-income residents experiencing storm-related legal difficulties can request assistance through the organization. According to South Carolina Legal Services, applicants can visit sclegal.org/helene or call 1-888-346-5592 to connect with legal staff across the network’s eight regional offices.