Will Beaufort County get FEMA money to help clear private roads after Matthew?

Beaufort County is still awaiting word from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on whether the federal government will assist with debris removal in private and gated communities.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, Beaufort County sent a letter to FEMA requesting help with debris removal from gated communities and private roads under the agency’s Public Assistance Program.

In general, the cost of debris removal on private property is ineligible for FEMA assistance, according to a Beaufort County news release.

The county received a response from FEMA requesting additional information to process the county’s application for assistance.

The county then reached out to Gov. Nikki Haley and a host of state agencies requesting support and is awaiting a response, according to the release.

Beaufort County has also compiled a list of more than 90 local, private communities that have contacted the county with requests for assistance removing debris.

Those figures do not include communities on Hilton Head Island, which is utilizing a different debris removal contractor from the county, according to the release.

However, the island has supported the county in its pursuit of FEMA’s approval, since all portions of Beaufort County will be affected, if granted.

This story was originally published October 24, 2016 at 8:36 AM with the headline "Will Beaufort County get FEMA money to help clear private roads after Matthew?."