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Kemp highlights Hurricane Helene damage, repurposed $100 million for farmers and urges fast federal disaster aid
Summary
Gov. Brian P. Kemp told a joint session the state repurposed $100 million to the Georgia Development Authority for direct support to farmers and timber producers after Hurricane Helene and urged expedited federal block grants to aid recovery.
Gov. Brian P. Kemp, governor of the state of Georgia, told a joint session of the General Assembly that Hurricane Helene caused widespread, generational damage and urged both continued state support and expedited federal aid.
Kemp said the storm produced historic rainfall and mudslides in North Georgia, record flooding in Atlanta with “over 11 inches in just 2 days,” and extensive damage across the Southeast. He said the storm contributed to nationwide losses and that 230 people across the country died; 34 of those deaths occurred in Georgia, including four children. The governor described major infrastructure damage reported by Georgia Power, including more than 11,800 broken power poles and thousands of damaged transformers.
To provide quick relief for agricultural producers, Kemp said the state repurposed $100,000,000 to the Georgia Development Authority last November to deliver direct financial support to farmers and timber producers. He said the state also urged the U.S. Congress and the Biden administration to fast-track block grants for recovery; Kemp thanked the state’s congressional delegation for backing disaster-relief legislation and said the federal package would help affected Georgians receive aid.
Nut graf: Kemp framed rapid disaster response and targeted farm relief as priorities for recovery, saying state and federal funding and long-term support by elected officials are needed to restore livelihoods and infrastructure.
The governor told the legislature he and first lady Marty Kemp toured 16 of the hardest-hit counties and described “everyday heroes” helping neighbors and first responders who cut people out of homes and recovered bodies. He said farmers and timber growers faced “over $5,500,000,000 worth of damage,” and that restoration work would continue with state and federal partners.
Ending: Kemp said elected leaders under the Gold Dome will continue to stand with affected communities for as long as necessary to ensure recovery.
