IN SPORTS: Despite losing 8 starters, Clemson defense defying expectations B1 FLOOD UPDATE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015
| Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894
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Sumter’s water advisory lifted; Rembert’s still in effect; Midnight curfew remains in place
Ignoring barriers could cost you
FEMA arrives in county Subcontractors begin assessing damage and processing applications FROM STAFF REPORTS Subcontractors with Federal Emergency Management Agency are now in Sumter County performing inspections and assessments as well as
processing applications that have either been submitted online or by phone, according to a joint news release from Sumter Police Department and Sumter County Sheriff ’s Office. Anyone who has experienced damage to their homes, businesses or properties and are not covered by any existing insurance should apply to FEMA for individual assistance. Sumter residents can register for FEMA assistance online at www.Di-
sasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. It is important to write down the confirmation code, a unique identifier supplied by FEMA. Residents should never share that code information. FEMA subcontractors should have FEMA identification credentials with identification cards that have both a FEMA seal and code chips similar to those found in military IDs, according
BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com
SEE FEMA, PAGE A6
A 21-year-old Florida woman was rescued from a nearly submerged vehicle Wednesday evening after her car plunged into a river in Clarendon County. The woman drove around barricades on U.S. 301 near Brewington Road right before her car fell into Black River, according to Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office. Clarendon County Sheriff Randy Garrett could not be reached for comment, but made a statement on the sheriff’s office Facebook page on the dangers of driving around barricades.
City, county working around the clock
SEE BARRICADES, PAGE A6
Sen. Scott surveys damage BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com BY KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM
He said City of Sumter Public Works, Sumter County Public Works and South Carolina Department of Transportation have been working together evaluating roadways to determine if they are safe for travel. More road damage may be
Sumter received a visit from U.S. Sen. Tim Scott on Thursday afternoon as he observed several areas around town that have experienced flood damage. The senator took a tour around the city with Sumter Mayor Joe McElveen, City Manager Deron McCormick and Sumter Police Chief Russell Roark III. Scott visited the Sumter Fire Department Training Facility on McCrays Mill Road, which
SEE CLOCK, PAGE A6
SEE SCOTT, PAGE A6
City and County employees work side-by-side with volunteers in the Emergency Management Center on Wednesday afternoon.
Sumter Emergency Management transitions to recovery mode BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Sumter County Emergency Management has been on 24-hour operation since about 5 a.m. Sunday, said department director Erik Hayes. He said City of Sumter and Sumter County officials
and first responders have been working side-by-side for the past five days to provide assistance for citizens. Hayes said emergency management staff worked with 911 dispatch to relay calls to the appropriate first responder departments when emergency calls starting coming in Sunday morning.
The department has also been sharing information with residents about road closures and openings, water advisories and shelters. Everybody’s safety is the main concern, Hayes said. The first few days, the department was in rescue mode and now is transitioning into recovery mode, he said.
Local groups ready to help you donate or volunteer FROM STAFF REPORTS To help the public know of more ways it can help flood victims, The Sumter Item will list fundraisers and places to donate money, food or clothing. Here’s what we have so far: • In an effort to assist those afffected by the recent record flooding in South Carolina, SAFE Federal Credit Union branches (https://www. safefed.org/branches-atms) will serve as dropoff locations for Midlands residents who want to help in the relief efforts. Monetary and nonperishable donations can be dropped off at any SAFE branch through Oct. 16. All proceeds and donated items will be distributed to local nonprofit organizations within the eight counties served by SAFE. These organizations include Harvest Hope Food Bank in Clarendon, Richland, Lexington, Orangeburg and Florence counties; Sumter United Ministries in Sumter County; Good Samaritans for All People in Lee County; and Food for the Soul in Kershaw County. SAFE Federal Credit Union locations are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to accept nonperishable food items and
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monetary gifts. Items to consider donating include canned meat, fruit or vegetables, sports drinks, baby formula, plastic grocery bags, suitcases and bottled water. Clothing cannot be accepted at these locations. All proceeds will be distributed to local nonprofits. For a complete list of items accepted, visit safefed.org. • Nightclub owner Raymond Charles of Xclusions 2 at 445 Rast St. will have a nightclub benefit drive known as “Together We Stand” on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 9 p.m. with a donation to enter the nightclub, and all proceeds will be donated to Sumter United Ministries for construction and food for families in need because of the flood. Contact (803) 468-3317. • The Red Cross is accepting financial donations. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Your donation helps provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected by disasters. The Red Cross accepts large, bulk donations of new items if they are suitable to the needs of a specific disaster. It does not accept small quantities or collections of new or used
products, such as household goods, clothing or food. The Red Cross works closely with local community groups and organizations that do accept in-kind donations. Please visit nvoad.org for a list of organizations accepting in-kind donations. The severe flooding has forced the cancellation of Red Cross blood drives in South Carolina. As flooded roadways and power outages continue, additional blood drives may be canceled in coming days. All eligible donors in parts of the country unaffected by flooding are encouraged to call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to schedule an appointment to give blood. • Donate to Harvest Hope Food Bank to help displaced families who need food. Visit https:// donate.harvesthope.org/. • Donate to The Salvation Army which is providing food, water and shelter to flood victims. Text STORM to 51555.
DEATHS, B5 and B6 Louise P. Singleton Sarah W. Sweat Hazel W. Pack Robert McClary Jr. Isaac Wilson Ernest Moses
Dianne M. Kelly Eliza Jane Frierson Curtis Van Johnson Johnny Ray Miles Duane M. Langley
• Volunteer to distribute water and food through United Way. Visit http:// bit.ly/1Q7HfDc. • United Way of Sumter, Clarendon and Lee Counties has a Flood Relief Fund that will directly benefit the people, families and organizations affected by this crisis. All money will stay within Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties. A Web page with volunteer opportunities, donation sites, distribution sites and needs for the communities has been established at http:// www.uwaysumter.org/flood-relief-information. Organizations collecting or distributing can contact United Way at (803) 773-7935 or anorris@uwaysumter.org to have their organization added to our list. It will be updated. If you know of events organized for donations or fundraisers, send the information to rick@ theitem.com, and we will add the event to our list.
WEATHER, A10
INSIDE
CHANCE OF RAIN
2 SECTIONS, 18 PAGES VOL. 120, NO. 301
Increasingly cloudy today and warm with a slight chance of showers; mostly cloudy tonight with late showers. HIGH 82, LOW 65
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