A month after Helene, here’s an update on FEMA assistance
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A month after Hurricane Helene swept through the region, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is offering an update on the assistance that’s been offered.
“Hurricane Helene was an unprecedented storm that will require an unprecedented recovery effort,” said FEMA Deanne Criswell, who visited Agusta on Wednesday. “Recovery is complicated, but it is achievable, and we’re committed to putting the needs of people front and center as we develop new solutions and strategies for this complex disaster.”
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By the numbers
Over $883 million in federal assistance is going directly to survivors with more funding going out the door every day.
In South Carolina, of the 1.3 million reported power outages, 98.8% of power service has been restored. In Georgia, of the 1.1 million reported outages, 100% of power service has been restored.
In South Carolina, 97.8% of the cell sites impacted by the storm have been restored. In Georgia, 93.2% of the cell sites impacted by the storm have been restored as of last report on Oct. 7.
FEMA has spent over $4.3 billion on Hurricane Helene response and recovery. 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 survivors with housing repairs, personal property replacement and other essential recovery efforts.
Over $524 million has been approved for debris removal and emergency protective measures, which are necessary to save lives, protect public health and prevent future damage to public and private property.
In South Carolina, FEMA has approved over $180 million in housing and other types of assistance for over 186,000 households.
In Georgia, FEMA has approved over $171 million in housing and other types of assistance for over 149,000 households.
In South Carolina, there are over 540 FEMA staff deployed, 128 team going door to door and nine disaster recovery centers open.
In Georgia, there are over 800 FEMA staff deployed, 231 team going door to door and nine disaster recovery centers open.
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