Richland and Lexington Counties Get Federal Aid for Flood Recovery

Houses under water, result of the 2015 flood

South Carolina has received $157 million in federal aid to help fund flood repairs. Government agencies will receive 62 percent of the funds and the rest will be split between Lexington County, Richland County, and the city of Columbia.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary, Julian Castro, pointed out in a report that the state will receive about $97 million, Richland County will receive $23.5 million, Lexington will get $16 million, and the city of Columbia will get about $16 million.

According the The State, a HUD news release reported that the funds will help economic development, housing, and infrastructure needs that resulted from thousands of homes and small businesses damaged during the historic flood on Oct. 4. 

The State reported that S.C. farmers asked that "some of the HUD money be used to help cover their uninsured crop losses caused by the storm." As a result, the S.C. House has approved for $40 million to be used to help aid farmers.

Plans to better prepare the Midlands for future storms are under development, as well.

Columbia city officials have three months to submit a plan on how they expect to use $20 million dollars in aid. Once HUD officials review the plans, they will release the funds in late spring or early summer.