One month after Helene, here is an update on FEMA assistance

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A month after Hurricane Helene tore through the region, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing an update on the assistance being provided.

“Hurricane Helene was an unprecedented storm that will require an unprecedented recovery effort,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who visited Agusta on Wednesday. “Recovery is complex, but achievable, and we strive to put people’s needs at the heart of developing new solutions and strategies for this complex disaster.”

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By the numbers

About $883 million Federal aid goes directly to survivors and more money goes out every day.

In South Carolina, from the 1.3 million reported power outages, 98.8% the power supply has been restored. In Georgia, from the 1.1 million reported faults, 100% the power supply has been restored.

In South Carolina, 97.8% of the cell sites affected by the storm have been restored. In Georgia, 93.2% of cell sites affected by the storm have been restored since the last report on October 7.

FEMA has spent more than $4.3 billion on the response and recovery from Hurricane Helene. This number includes direct assistance to survivors and communities, as well as broader response and recovery efforts.

More than $833 million has been approved to support survivors with home repairs, personal property replacement and other essential recovery efforts.

About $524 million is approved for debris removal and emergency protective measures necessary to save lives, protect public health and prevent future damage to public and private property.

In South Carolina, FEMA has approved it $180 million in housing and other forms of assistance for more than 186,000 households.

In Georgia, FEMA has approved it $171 million in housing and other forms of assistance for more than 149,000 households.

In South Carolina there are more than 540 FEMA personnel deployed, 128 team members go door to door and nine disaster recovery centers opened.

In Georgia there are more than 800 FEMA personnel deployed, 231 team members go door to door and nine disaster recovery centers opened.