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Youngkin urges Hurricane Helene survivors to contact officials, shares storm recovery update • Virginia Mercury

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Youngkin urges Hurricane Helene survivors to contact officials, shares storm recovery update • Virginia Mercury

Virginia and federal officials are trying to contact residents of Southwest Virginia affected by Hurricane Helene and urging them to complete their applications for recovery funds for the region, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said during a news conference Thursday afternoon.

The governor provided an update on the state’s ongoing recovery from the storm, which hit Virginia on September 27 and caused severe damage in Southwest Virginia, with the New River rising to 31 feet at one location and three people were killed. Youngkin also shared the state’s difficulties in connecting with storm survivors who need help.

“A lot of times it requires interaction, and sometimes that interaction is about the fact that there are elements that people have applied for that don’t qualify for individual assistance,” Youngkin said. “Sometimes we just have to talk to people and let them know so they can get their application right.”

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks to reporters about Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. (Charlie Paullin/Virginia Mercury)

An example of a request that would not qualify for recovery funding would be the cost of food in a refrigerator that was lost, Youngkin said. Insurance payments that exceed what Federal Emergency Management Agency aid would cover also eliminate federal assistance. Sometimes officials simply need more information.

“If you get a call from a 202 number, which is (the area code for) the Northern Virginia, Washington DC area, and you keep pressing ‘No’, chances are it’s an inspector calling you or a applicant tries to call. service assistant trying to help you complete your registration,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Timothy Phiel. “If you receive a letter, consider it an invitation to come back to our (disaster recovery center). Please come back and visit us.”

The state has set up eight disaster recovery centers to assist in the ongoing response to Helene, which also caused power outages for Appalachian Power customers peaking at about 282,000 and roads such as Route 58 to be washed away.

About 10,000 applications for individual aid have been filed, with about $10.5 million already paid out, Youngkin said.

Thirty-six places have been approved for state assistance, which will offset emergency response and cleanup costs, Youngkin said. Roanoke County is working to be added to that list. Approximately 93 applications for government assistance have been received, 19 of which have been approved and $20 million has already been disbursed.

More than 270 farmers have been helped through Farm Recovery Centers, which were set up to help with what the Virginia Cooperative Extension said was more than $159 million. injury to agricultural producers.

Personal debris will be removed from seven counties starting next week, Youngkin added. Claytor Lake remains a priority; so far about 10% of the rubble has been removed. The state has received $59 million for flood mitigation and risk reduction projects to “prevent future damage from future emergencies,” Youngkin said.

The total damage from the storm has yet to be tallied, Youngkin said. The figure will be shared with the White House and Congress next week to spur additional funding from the Small Business Administration, the Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.