VALDOSTA, Ga. — President Joe Biden has approved a disaster declaration for 11 counties in Georgia, encompassing the hard-hit cities of Valdosta and Augusta.
The 11 counties are Lowndes (Valdosta), Richmond (Augusta), Appling, Brooks, Coffee, Columbia, Jefferson, Liberty, Pierce, Tattnall and Toombs.
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.
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."
The governor has visited both Valdosta and Augusta in recent days, and on Monday former President Donald Trump also visited Valdosta.
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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