Disaster Services

Catholic Charities of South Carolina is at the forefront of any natural disaster that could impact our beautiful state. Hurricanes and flooding are our most commonly experienced disasters. 

Our Disaster Services Program started in 2016 just after the devastation of Hurricane Matthew. Since then, we have been able to provide 1,077 individuals with assistance in repairing damage caused by hurricanes and water damage.

Most recently, our Disaster Services Team has been very busy in response and relief efforts in assisting those impacted by Hurricane Florence. 

We provide services for 3 different phases of a natural disaster: Preparedness, Response/Relief, and Recovery.

Preparedness
We work year-round to provide Disaster Preparedness resources so that when a storm strikes, you and your family are ready! Our staff works very closely with South Carolina Emergency Management Department to provide our parishes and the community with tips and planning lists to help lessen the stress of getting a plan together. 

Response/Relief
Through Catholic Charities USA and community partnerships, we are able to provide immediate assistance to those  who are suffering in the wake of a natural disaster. We provide baby supplies, cleaning kits, food, water, and hygiene items to those impacted. We are always in need of donations and volunteers. Please contact us for more information.  

Recovery
A sometimes forgotten cycle of natural disasters is the recovery phase. Once all of the large organizations provide immediate response and relief efforts after the impact of a disaster, they pack up and move on to the next. 

Since Catholic Charities is deeply rooted in South Carolina, we are able to provide short and long term recovery services to clients impacted by natural disasters (mostly hurricanes). 

Through contractor and community partnerships, we are proud to assist clients in their journey to return to safe, sanitary, and secure housing. Some clients wait 2-3 months, but many have adjusted their life for at least a year, breathing in moldy conditions daily. 

We provide a home blessing for each client who completes construction. We are so blessed and fortunate to have blessed 47 clients with safe, sanitary, and secure housing since 2016!


Above: Our Disaster Services  team and Vicar General Msgr. Droze stand with our first client in Charleston to have her home completed. Ms. Barr had been living in unsafe conditions since Hurricane Matthew in 2016. She is now enjoying her completed home sweet home!