President Biden approves federal disaster aid for Georgia as Hurricane Helene strengthens

President Joe Biden announced he would make federal disaster assistance available in Georgia before the hurricane actually reached the state Thursday.

As a result, FEMA will lead the efforts to “alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe,” a press release said.

FEMA announced Thursday that federal funding for cost-sharing emergency protective measures, and direct federal assistance, will be available to counties including Crisp, Dooly, Macon, Pulaski, Schley, and Sumter counties. Tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in these counties will also receive federal funding.

Federal funding limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care, including evacuation and shelter support, will be provided to Baldwin, Bibb, Bleckley, Crawford, Dodge, Houston, Jones, Laurens, Monroe, Peach, Taylor, Twiggs, Upson, Washington, and Wilkinson counties.

Kevin A. Wallace Sr. will be the coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in Georgia.

This story was originally published September 26, 2024 at 4:19 PM.

Alba Rosa

The Telegraph

Alba Rosa, from Puerto Rico, is a local courts reporter for The Telegraph in Macon, Georgia. She studied journalism at Florida International University in Miami, Florida where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in December 2023. Other than journalism, she likes to make art, write and produce music and delve into the fashion world.