Contact: FHWA.PressOffice@dot.gov
Tel.: (202) 366-0660

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced the immediate availability of $2 million in Emergency Relief funds provided through the “quick release” process for use by the South Carolina Department of Transportation. The initial funds will offset costs of immediate repair work needed as a result of Hurricane Helene flood damage.

“Hurricane Helene has taken the lives of our fellow Americans, and devastated homes and businesses — but the people of South Carolina are not in this alone,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The Biden-Harris administration has been on the ground since the hurricane hit, we will be with South Carolina every step of the way as they recover and rebuild, and today's emergency funding to help get transportation networks back up and running safely will be followed by additional federal resources.”

“The Federal Highway Administration has been working tirelessly, shoulder-to-shoulder, alongside South Carolinians to restore the vital transportation networks that connect communities to emergency services and disaster recovery efforts.” said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Kristin White. “The Biden-Harris Administration will continue to provide disaster relief and help communities recover and rebuild more resilient infrastructure to withstand the effects of climate change.”

As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s robust response to Hurricane Helene, USDOT is supporting response and recovery efforts in impacted communities. Secretary Buttigieg has received regular briefings from USDOT operating administrations and has communicated with Governor Henry McMaster. Additionally, this week he visited FEMA Headquarters to be briefed on the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene and the emergency response and recovery actions. He also joined Cabinet colleagues to brief President Joe Biden at the White House.

In South Carolina, Hurricane Helene caused widespread infrastructure damage, with substantial damage in twelve counties, including to roadways, culverts, and bridges.

Emergency Relief “quick release” funds will be used by the South Carolina DOT to open and maintain critical access on US-276 in Greenville County. This route is strategically important for maintaining emergency communications and operations.

FHWA’s Emergency Relief program provides funding to states, territories, tribes, and Federal Land Management Agencies for highways and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events. These Emergency Relief funds, provided through the “quick release” process, are an initial installment of funds toward restoring this essential transportation link. Additional funds needed to repair damage in South Carolina will be supported by the Emergency Relief program through nationwide funding allocations.

The FHWA Emergency Relief program complements Bipartisan Infrastructure Law programs and provisions by encouraging agencies to identify and implement measures to incorporate resilience in the design, restoration, and repair of damaged infrastructure, to better withstand future damage from climate change and future weather events.

More information about FHWA’s Emergency Relief program can be found online at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/programadmin/erelief.cfm

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