Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) announced that several counties in Georgia’s Second Congressional District were added to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Major Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Helene. The counties include:

• Thomas County – Individuals and households are now eligible to apply for financial and direct services (FEMA Individual Assistance)

• Dooly County, Grady County, Mitchell County, and Thomas County – local governments are now eligible for FEMA Public Assistance for repairs or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities (roads, bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and equipment, public utilities, parks, recreational, other facilities)

More information about these developments as well as federal, state, and local resources in response to Hurricane Helene are available on Congressman Bishop’s website at https://bishop.house.gov/resources-services/hurricane-preparedness.

Before and since Hurricane Helene hit Georgia and the southeast United States, Congressman Bishop has been in contact with the White House, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and FEMA. He and his staff have also been in regular contact with the Georgia Governor’s office, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA), and nongovernmental partners as they prepared for and responded to fallout from the hurricane.

“I have worked with federal, state, and local officials to make sure our efforts are coordinated to expedite assistance to our families, farmers, business owners, cities, and counties,” said Congressman Bishop. “Working with Congressman Austin Scott, Senators Ossoff and Warnock, the entire Georgia Delegation, and our Georgia state government partners we helped guide President Biden, Vice President Harris, and other federal emergency agencies through our Georgia communities that were hit hard by this storm.”

“Seeing the impact, first-hand, is crucial in understanding the challenges we face and appreciating the resilient spirit of Georgians as we rebuild,” added Congressman Bishop. “I will continue working to assure that Congress provides the needed resources to Georgia communities impacted by this hurricane.”

In response to Hurricane Helene, Congressman Bishop, along with his congressional colleagues urged President Biden to issue an expedited major disaster declaration for Georgia counties significantly impacted by the storm. That request was honored within 24 hours. He also sent a letter to U.S. House and U.S. Senate leadership asking for appropriations to be made available as soon as possible to fully fund unmet agricultural disaster relief needs.

Over 8,500 federal personnel have been on the ground, working side-by-side with state and local officials, to help survivors get what they need to begin their recovery. As of today, FEMA has approved over $860 million, which includes $507 million in assistance for individuals and communities affected and over $351.5 million for debris removal and activities to save lives, protect public health and safety and prevent damage to public and private property.

Georgia residents that need emergency or immediate assistance should contact GEMA via https://gema.georgia.gov/hurricane-helene or apply for financial assistance at disasterassistance.gov. These websites provide updated information on resources and shelters.

Georgia residents that need farm or ranch assistance can reach out to the USDA either by calling 877-508-8364 or visiting https://www.farmers.gov. For personalized assistance for your individual operation, use the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool (https://www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/disaster-tool) to determine eligibility.

Local governments requiring rural development assistance, such as housing, sewer, and water, can reach out to USDA at https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/rural-development-disaster-assistance.

Poultry and livestock producers affected by Hurricane Helene can get assistance with emergency animal mortality disposal through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program. You can learn more at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/eqip-environmental-quality-incentives or by contacting your local USDA Service Center (find yours here by visiting https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/find-a-service-center).