Virginia Seeks $4.4 Billion Additional Federal Aid for Hurricane Helene Recovery

Citing the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene in southwest Virginia, Governor Glenn Youngkin submitted a request to President Joseph Biden, President-elect Donald Trump and Congressional appropriators for $4.4 billion in federal support.

Youngkin said the aid is needed to support recovery efforts given the damage to farms, homes, local businesses, critical infrastructure and tourism assets. The requested funding would support the rebuilding and recovery efforts across 36 localities in southwest Virginia.

“While our Office of Hurricane Helene Recovery and Rebuilding continues to work collaboratively with our federal, state, and local partners, the severity of the impacts in Southwest Virginia require accelerated federal support. Given the urgent need for action, I respectfully requested assistance from our federal partners to support Virginia’s recovery needs as they work through the federal disaster supplemental funding,” said Youngkin.

A Virginia Economic Development Partnership analysis found direct and indirect economic impacts of more than $2 billion across the southwest region of the state from Hurricane Helene. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, 310,000 residents were without power and electric distribution infrastructure was severely damaged. In terms of transportation impact, 484 primary and secondary roads, as well as 118 bridges were closed.

As of November 12, FEMA has had nearly 10,000 applications for individual assistance and almost 3,000 requests for inspection of damaged or destroyed homes in the area. As of late October, nearly 3,700 farms had been impacted by the storm resulting in more than $630 million in direct, and future financial impact to Virginia farmers and their communities, according to the analysis.

Additionally, the governor requested assistance with rebuilding trails and park infrastructure and revitalizing local tourism after the Virginia Tourism Commission reported it expects to see a substantial decline in visitor spending this year due to damage to recreation ad tourist facilities.

President Joseph Biden this week asked Congress for $98.6 billion in additional emergency disaster relief for the billions of dollars in damage caused by the back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton. The administration warned that current federal relief funds are running low.

The administration’s request includes $40 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief fund to address disaster costs through fiscal year 2025. It also includes $24 billion for the Department of Agriculture to provide help to farmers recover from crop or livestock losses, aid with debris removal, repair rural infrastructure, and grants for food and nutrition programs.

Biden’s request also includes monies to fix housing, transportation, and water systems and to maintain health care services in hurricane-hit areas.