Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin proposes a $127 million Disaster Assistance Fund to assist residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. This fund aims to fill recovery gaps left by federal aid, supporting housing and safety needs. The request for funding must garner support from the Democratic-controlled General Assembly. Meanwhile, assistance efforts are in place in neighboring West Virginia, with recovery centers established to aid those also affected by the storm.
Virginia is actively seeking further assistance for residents affected by Hurricane Helene, as a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center opens in Mercer County to support recovery efforts. Governor Glenn Youngkin proposed a $127 million investment to initiate a Disaster Assistance Fund through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. This fund aims to address ongoing recovery needs by using existing resources to fill voids left by federal and private recovery initiatives. Notably, the disaster recovery center previously located in Tazewell County had closed just before Thanksgiving.
The proposed Disaster Assistance Fund would focus on life safety and housing recovery costs that federal aid, private donations, or insurance do not cover. Distributions from this fund would require specific legislative approval. Governor Youngkin, a Republican, will need to garner support from the Democrat-dominated Virginia General Assembly to establish this fund. He indicated that legislation aimed at aiding Southwest Virginia residents will be introduced in the upcoming session.
In his statement, Governor Youngkin remarked, “Our fellow Virginians have suffered an unimaginable impact from Hurricane Helene… The creation of the Disaster Assistance Fund is a critical step toward ensuring the Commonwealth has a reserve fund in place to address unmet needs.”
The proposed investment includes $25 million from the General Fund, along with $102 million derived from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’s final payment and interest. The impact of Hurricane Helene was significant, affecting 36 localities in Southwest Virginia. More than 310,000 individuals experienced power outages, while hundreds of roads and bridges were closed. Approximately 10,000 assistance applications have been submitted to FEMA, with Tazewell County accounting for around 1,600 of these requests. Additionally, the agricultural sector faced an estimated $630 million in financial losses, affecting nearly 3,700 farms, with tourism also experiencing severe disruption.
In neighboring West Virginia, residents are also receiving aid. A FEMA Recovery Center and a Small Business Administration (SBA) Recovery Center have been established in Mercer County to support those affected by the tropical storm. The SBA center operates at the Princeton Public Library, providing assistance to those impacted by the disaster.
The article discusses ongoing recovery efforts for individuals in Virginia experiencing the aftereffects of Hurricane Helene, which caused significant damage throughout the region. Governor Glenn Youngkin’s proposed funding aims to create a safety net for residents by addressing gaps in available recovery aid, thus highlighting the need for state-level intervention when federal assistance is insufficient. The proposal also underscores the broader implications of natural disasters, especially concerning essential services and local economies, as seen in the devastation experienced by sectors like agriculture and tourism in the region.
In summary, Governor Glenn Youngkin is advocating for the establishment of a Disaster Assistance Fund to support Virginians affected by Hurricane Helene. This proposed fund aims to fill the gaps in recovery efforts left by federal and private sources. With significant damage reported across Southwest Virginia, it is critical for the state to secure legislative support to ensure necessary aid reaches those in need. Furthermore, neighboring West Virginia continues to provide assistance through its FEMA and SBA centers as recovery efforts progress in both states.
Original Source: www.bdtonline.com
