Virginia Governor Proposes $127 Million Disaster Relief Fund

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, citing damage done by Hurricane Helen and other disasters, has proposed a $127 million disaster assistance fund to fill gaps left behind in communities by insurance and federal and private recovery efforts.

Youngkin called the fund “a critical step toward ensuring the Commonwealth has a reserve fund in place to address unmet needs where they exist in our communities in the wake of natural disasters.”

The fund would be created through $25 million from the state’s general fund and $102 million from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The fund would be located within the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

Distributions from the fund would be appropriated by specific legislation. He said relief to 36 localities in Southwest Virginia heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene will be enacted during the 2025 Virginia General Assembly Session.

Hurricane Helene caused more than 310,000 Virginians to lose power due to severe damage to electric distribution infrastructure and closed almost 500 primary and secondary roads and 118 bridges. Agriculture suffered $630 million in direct and future financial impacts, affecting nearly 3,700 farms, according to the state.

The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has received early 10,000 applications from Virginians for individual assistance and 3,000 home inspection requests.