05/15/2026
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APPLICATION PERIOD OPEN FOR HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER RELIEF BLOCK GRANT
Hurricane Helene dealt a heavy blow to forest landowners across the western part of South Carolina in September 2024. Recognizing these losses, the South Carolina Forestry Commission and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture applied for and received funds from the US Department of Agriculture to help offset a portion of these losses.
SCDA began taking applications for the SC Disaster Relief Block Grant for Helene today. The block grant is designed to help offset some of the financial losses suffered by farmers and forest landowners due to Hurricane Helene. Losses eligible for assistance include infrastructure damage, market losses, future economic losses and timber losses. The SC Forestry Commission is overseeing the timber loss aspect of this grant.
Here are the basics regarding timber loss:
Property must be located in an eligible county (see green counties in attached map).
Property must have been owned by a private landowner on September 27, 2024.
Property must contain at least 10 contiguous acres of forestland with at least 15% of the trees with significant damage (broken main stem, blown over or major crown damage).
No restoration work is required — these funds are designed to help offset financial losses. Participation in other federal programs does not impact eligibility for this grant.
Loss valuations will be carried out by consulting/registered foresters and by SCFC foresters.
Forest landowners who meet the following criteria can apply online by visiting the SCDA website at https://agriculture.sc.gov/divisions/agency-operations/grants/helene/.
For more information about the block grant, eligibility, application process and more, please visit our website at scfc.gov/management/landowner-services/hurricane-helene-timber-block-grant.
