The South Carolina Department of Archives and History (SCDAH) has launched its Hurricane Florence Disaster Assistance Program to help historic resources impacted by Hurricane Florence that affected South Carolina in September 2018. South Carolina was recently awarded $1.155 million in federal grant funds from the National Park Service’s Hurricanes Florence, Yutu, and Michael Emergency Supplemental Grant from the Historic Preservation Fund (FYM ESHPF, CFDA No. 15.957).
Owners of historic resources in South Carolina damaged by the 2018 hurricane can apply for grant funding to supplement costs for projects involving recovery and repair of historic properties with damage resulting directly from Hurricane Florence. Owners of historic buildings, structures, objects, and archeological sites in the following counties designated for public assistance by the Federal Emergency Agency (FEMA) are eligible to apply for this funding: Berkeley, Calhoun, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Lancaster, Marion, Marlboro, and Williamsburg.
“Helping to preserve historic resources is an important part of our agency’s mission,” said Dr. Eric Emerson, SCDAH Director and State Historic Preservation Officer. “We look forward to helping historic places across the state that were impacted by Florence.”
Examples of eligible projects include replacing a leaking roof, repairing the structural framework of a building, and repairing deteriorated doors and windows to make a building watertight. Projects that are NOT eligible include routine building maintenance, climate control systems, plumbing or electrical, repairs to cemetery grave markers, and routine cemetery maintenance. Interior work is not eligible unless it is structural or otherwise repairs historic materials or finishes.
Eligible projects also include city or county-wide surveys to identify and record historic buildings that were damaged by Hurricane Florence. Projects that involve rescue of archaeological resources directly effected by Hurricane Florence are also eligible. Local governments may also apply for funds to help prepare disaster management plans.
All work must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation. Stabilization projects require a preservation covenant agreement of up to 20 years be recorded with the property deed.
SCDAH is accepting grant applications now until 5 p.m., July 30, 2020. The emergency grant program application and information is available on the SCDAH website at https://scdah.sc.gov/historic-preservation/programs/hurricane-grants. Properties receiving grants must be listed in the National Register of Historic Places, or be eligible for listing and have a nomination accepted by SCDAH before final project costs are reimbursed. A cash match is not required.
For more information, contact the State Historic Preservation Office at 803-896-6172 or 803-896-6168.