Richland County Council approved $1.5 million to put toward emergency response assessment and recovery efforts.

Councilmembers also approved a contract with AshBritt, a FEMA-approved national rapid-response disaster recovery and special environmental services contractor. Small local businesses will be engaged in this contract. AshBritt is also working with Charleston, Georgetown and Sumter counties and previously provided services with Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Katrina disaster relief.

Richland County Government will open Wednesday for business. Employees who can safely report to work should do so at their normal time.

For more information, visit www.rcgov.us.