LAKE CITY, SC (WBTW) – Last week’s flooding turned the lives of a lot of people in the area upside down, especially in Lower Florence County.
However, on Tuesday, until help is no longer needed, residents in that area will try and get back to normal through some federal assistance.
Tuesday was the first full day the Disaster Recovery Center opened its doors at Lake City Pentecostal Holiness Church, 620 S. Ron McNair Blvd.
“We are here in Lake City. It is kind of a central location for the Johnsonville, Lake City area. Johnsonville we believe was hit the hardest. We wanted to make it a little bit easier for those folks to get to this center,” said Andrew Golden, Florence County Emergency Management.
Representatives from federal, state, and non-profit agencies are here to explain disaster assistance programs and help people affected by the flooding with aid.
As of Monday, over 1,400 people had signed for help on disasterassistance.gov.
“Water got in my car, but you know the water got up near the door and I started praying. Then they (FEMA) told me to contact my insurance company and get back with them,” explained Barbara McFadden, as she waited outside.
Romalithia Coleman is both a health care professional and minister.
However, Coleman is in an unfamiliar situation with her home being damaged from fallen trees as a result of the flood.
“I have no power. The trees knocked down my power box. I have no electricity. $5,000 and I don’t have it. I don’t know what to do. They just took my blood pressure and my blood pressure is sky high. I’ve just been rocketing since this all happened,” she said as she was leaving.
If you do not qualify for assistance initially you can either meet with one of the FEMA representatives or call 800-621-3362 to reapply.
The recovery center will be open every day from 8:00a.m.-7:00p.m.
