South Carolina: Flood & Recovery

Ongoing coverage of South Carolina's recovery from the flooding of 2015.What had been Lindsay Langdale's Columbia home October 3, 2015 was a flooded ruin the next day.This coverage is made possible by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In October of 2015, South Carolina received rainfall in unprecedented amounts over just a few days time. By the time the rain began to slacken, the National Weather Service reported that the event had dumped more than two feet of water on the state. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the subsequent flooding was the worst in 75 years.

"House in a Box" Program to Provide Furniture to Families Impacted by October Floods

South Carolina Public Radio

Published January 20, 2016 at 9:34 AM EST

In the wake of the historical flood, community outreach programs are helping families get back on their feet. The Pine Glen subdivision was hit hard by rising rain water and residents are worried they may not be able to move back in.

Lexington resident Terica Holley and her two children have been living in a rental home since the October floods. They have a house in the Pine Glen subdivision, which was hit hard by the floods. Terica says they don’t know if they’ll ever be able to move back in. Because her house was substantially damaged, she would have to have the house elevated before rebuilding. They lost everything in the floods. When they do get to move home, wherever that may be, they’ll need furniture. Terica hopes a program called House in a Box can help. She spoke to South Carolina Public Radio’s Laura Hunsberger.

More about House in a Box:

- House in a Box is a program that provides new furniture and home essentials to families who have been impacted by a disaster.

- It was started by the St. Vincent de Paul Society in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina and also served those impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

- Their goal is to provide for 1000 families in South Carolina this year.

- St. Vincent de Paul hopes to start the House in a Box program at the Columbia location by the end of January or early February.

- To apply for "House in a Box"(R) assistance, bring your FEMA number to 3512 Devine St. Columbia, SC 29205, Monday-Thursday, 10 am to 4 pm, and fill out an application. In addition to the FEMA number, you will need a picture ID and a documented need for furniture (which will be confirmed with FEMA). Communities outside of the Columbia area may organize a registration event if needed.

- To find out more, visit: https://www.facebook.com/hibcolumbia2016/?fref=ts or http://hibsjsp.blogspot.com/

UPDATE (2/1/16):

Since this story aired, House in a Box in Columbia, SC has chosen a new warehouse location that better fits their needs for the project.
House in the Box in Columbia, SC has received grant support to provide furniture for the first round of 25 families!
The distribution process is scheduled to begin February 15 at their location on Shop Road in Columbia.

For more information, visit http://hibsjsp.blogspot.com/

Click here for an UPDATEon this story.