As groups, individuals and businesses in Henry County and Martinsville are working to get help to areas of North Carolina and Virginia that were ravaged by the remnants of Hurricane Helene, Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Wednesday announced that President Biden granted Virginia’s request for an expedited Federal Major Disaster Declaration due to impacts from the storm.
“This is the most significant disaster in the Commonwealth since 2011,” Youngkin said. “Due to the severity and magnitude of the damages, we are thankful that Virginia was able to get this expedited disaster declaration so that we can continue this long process of recovery. This will allow us to get resources to our impacted communities and Virginians as fast as possible. We will continue to work to add jurisdictions as additional assessments occur in impacted areas.”
The latest declaration, which is in addition to the federal emergency declaration that was approved on September 29, will provide additional support to individuals and local governments impacted in Virginia.
Youngkin thanked “local responders, volunteers, federal partners, and the Virginia Emergency Support Team who have been working day and night to assist with ongoing response and recovery operations. Thank you to Senator (Mark) Warner, Senator (Tim) Kaine and Congressman Morgan Griffith for your support during this recovery effort. Together, we will make it through.”
Warner and Kaine were among a bipartisan group to write a letter to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, and others highlighting the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and the urgent need to pass an appropriations package to support the millions of Americans affected by the storm.
“The devastation from Hurricane Helene across the southeastern United States is simply inconceivable,” the letter stated. “Because of a lack of cell service, we anticipate even greater tragedy to unfold in the days and weeks ahead as communications and power are restored and we can understand the full scope of this disaster.”
The senators noted that “even preliminary damage assessments indicate that, at a minimum, the total damage and economic loss will be in the tens of billions of dollars. This amount will likely soar as recovery efforts continue and the full picture of this ruinous disaster becomes clear.”
Although the true level of devastation is still unfolding, “it is clear that Congress must act to meet the unmet needs in our states and address the scope and scale of destruction experienced by our constituents. This may even require Congress to come back in October to ensure we have enough time to enact legislation before the end of this calendar year. Tens of millions of Americans were impacted by Hurricane Helene, and we look forward to working with you to provide relief to those impacted by this horrific storm,” they concluded.
The most recent declaration allows for federal funding to be made available to affected individuals in Giles, Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wythe Counties and the independent city of Galax.
Youngkin said his administration will continue to seek to add jurisdictions, and at this time, federal funding is also available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in the Counties of Bedford, Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pittsylvania, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe, and the Independent Cities of Bristol, Covington, Danville, Galax, Norton, and Radford.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
To access FEMA’s emergency assistance application, visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/.
In the aftermath of the storm, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) stands ready to investigate complaints regarding the gasoline and motor vehicle fuels portion of the Anti-Gouging Act in Virginia. If you suspect price gouging in your area, please submit a report using the form at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/pricegouging.pdf.
For price gouging complaints involving other consumer goods or services, e.g. water, ice, food, generators, batteries, home repair materials and services, and tree removal services, please contact the Consumer Protection Section in the Office of the Attorney General at (800) 552-9963 or (804) 786-2042, or visit www.oag.state.va.us and select “Citizen Resources.”
Additional resources:
*For tips on recovering from a disaster, visit www.ready.gov/recovering-disaster.
*Additional information on the damage assessment process can be found at www.fema.gov/disaster/how-declared.
*For roadways, report any concerns such as flooding, downed trees or road hazards to VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).
*For those who need help with cleanup/debris management you can contact the cleanup hotline for Hurricane Helene at 1-844-965-1386.
*Contact your local emergency management office for details on local sheltering operations and supply needs at: https://lemd.vdem.virginia.gov/Public/.
*The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) has more information and resources available on Hurricane Helene. More information can be found on the VDEM website.
