Before South Carolina visit, Donald Trump approves Irma aid for State

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday approved federal funding for South Carolina before visiting the state to help raise money for State governor.

Trump thanked South Carolina for the warm welcome at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport.

"Always great to see the wonderful people of South Carolina. Thank you for the beautiful welcome at Greenville-Spartanburg Int'l Airport!" Trump tweeted.

After arrival, the President headed to the Embassy Suites golf resort and convention center on Verdae Boulevard for a private fundraiser for South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster's gubernatorial campaign. Later, he headed back to the White House.

Earlier in the day, Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the state of South Carolina and ordered federal assistance to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Irma from September 6 to September 13, 2017.

Federal funding is available to the State and to tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Irma in the counties of Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Edgefield, Georgetown, Hampton, Jasper, McCormick, Oconee, and Pickens.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Brock Long, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Warren J. Riley as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas.

-ANI