VALDOSTA, Ga. — President Joe Biden has expanded a disaster declaration for counties in Georgia touched by devastating Hurricane Helene, encompassing the hard-hit cities of Valdosta and Augusta.
Biden previously declared the disaster for 11 counties, including Lowndes (Valdosta), Richmond (Augusta), Appling, Brooks, Coffee, Columbia, Jefferson, Liberty, Pierce, Tattnall and Toombs. Later in the day, the president added 30 more counties: Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Chatham, Clinch, Colquitt, Cook, Echols, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Lincoln, McDuffie, Montgomery, Screven, Telfair, Treutlen, Ware, Washington and Wheeler.
A release from President Biden also noted that federal funding is "available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide."
"Mr. Kevin A. Wallace, Sr. of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas," the release stated. "Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed."
Gov. Brian Kemp, with the support of Georgia's full congressional delegation, had formally requested a declaration for dozens more counties than what President Biden ultimately approved. The governor has visited both Valdosta and Augusta in recent days, and on Monday former President Donald Trump also visited Valdosta. Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to visit Helene-impacted areas in Georgia on Wednesday, and President Biden is expected to tour damage later this week.
In the immediate aftermath of the storm on Friday, Gov. Kemp said there were 115 structures heavily damaged with people trapped inside in Valdosta. Striking images of the damage from Helene also emerged out of Augusta.
According to NBC News, 25 people died in Georgia as a result of Helene.
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