Tens of thousands are still without power in North Carolina and Georgia.
In Georgia, the Department of Health and Human Services is putting prescription replacement programs in place for residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. The USDA is temporarily approving the purchase of prepared foods not normally covered by the nutritional benefit for SNAP customers in affected counties due to power outages obstructing their ability to cook. Over 25,000 Georgians have yet to be reconnected.
Georgian Governor Kemp has extended the state of emergency for counties impacted most by Helene. In light of Hurricane Milton, Governor Kemp was working to ensure fuel availability for not only his state’s residents but evacuees from Florida. He anticipates more counties will be added to the list for FEMA assistance after the two hurricanes.
South Carolina Governor McMaster has extended the state of emergency in his state as well. SNAP accommodations are being made by the USDA for effected South Carolinians who lost food due to power outages. The governor said that Helene “damaged over 5,550 homes and businesses… caused nearly half of all South Carolinians to lose power… and most tragically, resulted in at least 49 weather-related deaths.”
North Carolina legislators gathered in Raleigh this week to vote for Hurricane Helene recovery funds and Governor Cooper signed the relief bill. One state legislator said this session is just a first step, as recovery from Helene will take years. The state house speaker called recovery “a herculean task” and stated, “If it weren’t for nonprofits, if it weren’t for the churches, if it weren’t for just ordinary citizens, we would have a much bigger crisis on our hands than what we do right now.”
Unknown numbers of homes were destroyed by Helene’s flooding and mudslides in western North Carolina. Relief and rescue efforts have been hampered by collapsed roads and bridges. Over 43,000 are still without power, and the confirmed death toll for the state has reached 91.
President Biden approved 100 percent FEMA reimbursement to North Carolinians for six months. The Justice Department is seeking to hold companies accountable for attempts at price gouging. More than 1,500 members of the North Carolina National Guard are deployed as Governor Cooper oversees efforts to get resources to residents.
U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx stated that they need help building temporary bridges and roads “so we can get to people.” The congresswoman referenced the need to lift regulations, similar to the aftermath of the San Francisco earthquake of 1989. “They estimated that it would take 15 years to rebuild the roads,” she said. “They put aside every rule and regulation and rebuilt the roads in like a year and a half. That’s the kind of thing that we need.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the members of the National Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and federal officials as recovery efforts continue.
- For Governors DeSantis, Kemp, McMaster, and Cooper as they oversee cleanup, relief, and power restoration in their respective states.
- For God’s strength for those who had their homes destroyed by Helene and for His comfort for all who lost loved ones.
Sources: ABC News, WRDW, WOTC, WTDV, Forbes, Austin-American Statesman,
