President Biden approves federal disaster aid for Columbus area as Hurricane Helene strengthens

President Joe Biden will make federal disaster assistance available in Georgia as the state prepares for Hurricane Helene.

As a result, FEMA will lead the efforts to “alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe,” a press release said.

FEMA announced Thursday that federal funding for cost-sharing emergency protective measures and direct federal assistance will be available to counties including Chattahoochee, Muscogee, Marion, Stewart, Talbot, and Schley counties. Tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in these counties will also receive federal funding.

Federal funding limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care, including evacuation and shelter support, will be provided to Harris, Taylor, Troup, Baldwin, Bibb, Bleckley, Crawford, Dodge, Houston, Jones, Laurens, Monroe, Peach, Taylor, Twiggs, Upson, Washington, and Wilkinson counties.

Kevin A. Wallace Sr. will be the coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in Georgia.