Special to the Herald

ATLANTA – On Sept. 30, President Joseph R. Biden Jr., granted a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Georgia triggering the release of Federal funds to help people and communities recover from Hurricane Heléne that began Sept. 24 and continuing.

On Oct. 3, the disaster declaration was amended to include Effingham, Elbert, Tift and Rabun counties. Forty-five Georgia counties have now been approved to receive federal aid. That number is expected to increase as Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security officials continue gathering reports of damage.

“The extension of the Major Disaster Declaration to include Effingham County marks a critical milestone in our community’s road to recovery,” said House Speaker Jon Burns. “We’re grateful to President Biden’s Administration for recognizing the severity of damage across our Southeast Georgia Counties. We will continue working alongside our federal partners, state leaders, and emergency management agencies until every hard-hit community receives a FEMA Disaster Declaration and gets the resources they need to fully recover.”

Individuals in these counties may apply for aid in the following ways: Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov; or call the application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585).