Federal Aid Deployed to Georgia Following Hurricane Helene

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. has declared a major disaster in the State of Georgia due to the impact of Hurricane Helene, which began on September 24, 2024. This declaration orders Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the affected areas.

Affected Areas and Available Assistance

The Federal aid will be available to individuals in the counties of Appling, Brooks, Coffee, Columbia, Jefferson, Liberty, Lowndes, Pierce, Richmond, Tattnall, and Toombs. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the disaster.

Federal funding is also available to State and eligible local governments, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations, on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in the designated counties. Additionally, hazard mitigation measures are eligible for Federal funding on a cost-sharing basis statewide.

FEMA Response and Coordination

Mr. Kevin A. Wallace, Sr. of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has been actively involved in assessing damage and meeting with state and local emergency managers in Georgia, and she will continue her efforts in other impacted states.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance through www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App.

Ongoing Support and Resources

FEMA and its partners are providing extensive support, including meals, tarps, and water to those impacted by the storm. In Georgia, meal services are underway in several locations, and partners like the Salvation Army and First Baptist Church are supporting feeding efforts on the ground.

A FEMA Incident Management Assistance Team is onsite at the state Emergency Operations Center to coordinate with the state and facilitate any requests for assistance. All federal Urban Search and Rescue Teams have been released after completing their missions in southern and eastern parts of the state.

Residents can find a list of open shelters and report damage by visiting the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency's website.