Biden-Harris Administration Intensifies Recovery Efforts

 By Charles Hawes, Capital News

Washington, DC - The Biden-Harris Administration continues to spearhead recovery and relief efforts across the Southeast and Appalachia following the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Nearly 8,000 federal personnel remain deployed, working closely with state and local authorities to assist survivors and rebuild the affected regions.

    Under the direction of President Biden, the federal government has allocated more than $1.8 billion in disaster recovery aid. This funding includes assistance for individuals—covering temporary housing, essential supplies like food and baby formula—and public assistance to states for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the restoration of infrastructure such as roads, schools, and bridges.

    In North Carolina alone, more than $100 million has been approved to aid over 77,000 survivors. This is part of a broader commitment that also includes $600 million awarded by the Department of Energy to projects enhancing the electric grid’s resilience in the face of extreme weather, announced during President Biden’s visit to Florida.

                   Significant Funding for Impacted Communities

Hurricane Helene's destructive impact has led FEMA to approve over $911 million in aid, including $581 million for individuals and affected communities. Another $330 million is designated for public assistance to support life-saving efforts, protect public health and safety, and repair public infrastructure.

Breakdown of individual assistance per state:

  • Florida: $213 million for 71,000 survivors

  • South Carolina: $132 million for 146,000 survivors

  • Georgia: $119 million for 118,000 survivors

  • North Carolina: $100 million for 77,000 survivors

  • Tennessee: $11.8 million for 2,400 survivors

  • Virginia: $4.7 million for 1,500 survivors

    Meanwhile, Hurricane Milton has prompted FEMA to allocate over $620 million in total, including $16 million in individual assistance and over $604 million in public assistance.

                                  Small Business Support

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has tentatively approved over $48 million in disaster loan funding to assist survivors of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Hundreds of SBA staff members are stationed across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, supporting 48 disaster recovery centers and processing loan applications.

                           Disaster Recovery Centers Across the Region

     Numerous Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are now operational, providing survivors with in-person assistance to apply for FEMA aid and access additional resources. These centers serve as hubs for recovery support in the aftermath of the hurricanes.

Locations of key Disaster Recovery Centers:

  • Florida: Twelve DRCs in Bradenton, Glen Saint Mary, Tampa, and more

  • North Carolina: Six DRCs in Asheville, Boone, Marion, and others

  • Georgia: Four DRCs in Valdosta, Douglas, Augusta, and Sandersville

  • South Carolina: Six DRCs in Anderson, Greenville, and more

  • Tennessee: One DRC in Erwin

  • Virginia: Four DRCs in Damascus, Dublin, Independence, and Tazewell

                               Agricultural Assistance

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has expanded its Disaster Supplemental Nutrition      Assistance Program (D-SNAP), providing food aid to nearly 1.2 million households across Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Additionally, the USDA has announced over $233 million in indemnities to help agriculture producers recover from Hurricane Helene’s impact.

Estimated agricultural indemnities by state:

  • Georgia: $207.7 million

  • Florida: $12.8 million

  • Alabama: $5.0 million

  • North Carolina: $4.1 million

  • South Carolina: $4.1 million

  • Virginia: $61,000

    As the recovery process continues, the Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to supporting communities through their long road to recovery, ensuring that federal resources and personnel will stay on the ground as long as needed.



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