The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on Sunday that federal disaster assistance is now available for Florida, aimed at supplementing recovery efforts in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. President Joe Biden posted on X that he plans to visit the affected communities as soon as his presence won't disrupt the immediate recovery process from the hurricane's devastation in Florida and other states like Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
For Florida, Biden's approval allows federal funds to be accessible to those affected in the counties of Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla. The aid package includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs designed to assist individuals and business owners in recovering from the disaster.
Additionally, federal funds have been allocated for state and eligible local governments, as well as private non-profit organizations, on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work. Funds for risk mitigation measures are also available statewide. Affected individuals and businesses can apply for assistance by registering at www.disasterassistance.gov, calling 1-800-621-3362, or using the FEMA app. Those utilizing relay services are asked to provide FEMA with the number for that service.
Devastation in Florida: Communities Begin Rebuilding After Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region, leaving a trail of complete destruction as if a bomb had exploded. In Steinhatchee, located in Taylor County, residents are in shock, having spent the past 18 months recovering from previous storms. Despite the apparent calm of the tide, the damage is widespread throughout the town, with homes and businesses near the marina decimated. Even concrete restaurants failed to withstand the hurricane's force. The impact caused severe structural damage to a condominium building, blowing out windows and leaving massive holes in apartments.
Taylor County has been declared unsafe, with many structures near the water still submerged three days post-hurricane. Reconstruction experts estimate it will take at least six months to restore normalcy to the region. Despite the devastation, the community has shown incredible solidarity, organizing supply distribution lines and donations of clothing and food for residents who remain without power.
Widespread Damage Across the Southeast United States
Now downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, Hurricane Helene has left at least 107 people dead— a number that continues to rise— and caused extensive damage across five southeastern states. Most of the fatalities have been reported in North Carolina, with up to 30 deaths in Buncombe County. Authorities have also received reports of 600 missing persons, though many are expected to be alive but unable to communicate due to disrupted telecom networks.
Approximately 2.1 million people are without electricity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia. Rescue and recovery operations are ongoing in areas affected by flooding, tornadoes, and hurricane-force winds.
While Helene is expected to dissipate by Monday, the National Hurricane Center has warned of possible heavy rains in the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys, extending to the Appalachian Mountains, where record flooding is anticipated.