Biden approves major disaster declaration for Georgia

ATLANTA — President Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for Georgia in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

The Biden administration’s action means funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be available to affected residents in the 11 counties in southeastern Georgia hit hardest by last Friday’s storm: Appling, Brooks, Coffee, Columbia, Jefferson, Liberty, Lowndes, Pierce, Richmond, Tattnall and Toombs.

Meanwhile, work crews for Georgia Power and the state’s Electric Membership Corporations reported that about 370,000 customers still were without electricity as of Monday. More then 1.3 million lost power at Helene’s peak.

The hurricane made landfall Thursday night in the Big Bend area of Florida’s Gulf Coast before roaring into Georgia early Friday morning, bringing high winds and heavy rain that caused extensive flooding. Gov. Brian Kemp reported Monday that 25 Georgians died in the storm, many inside homes hit by fallen trees.

The victims included a first responder, Vernon “Leon” Davis, a part-time assistant fire chief in Blackshear.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the 11 counties covered by the federal disaster declaration can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA App.

Biden’s declaration took on political significance when Donald Trump, campaigning in Valdosta, declared that Gov. Brian Kemp could not even get Biden to respond to his calls for help in the state. Kemp had already announced that Biden approved the declaration.

Special Photo: Rachel Elizondo