GEORGIA – Federal aid is on its way to several counties in Georgia, including some in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), to settle outstanding payments related to Hurricane Helene, according to recent announcements.

U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock revealed on Friday that $314 million in federal funding has been allocated to these counties and entities. This substantial financial support aims to aid their recovery efforts after the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene.

The beneficiaries of this funding include Columbia, Emanuel, Jefferson, and McDuffie counties, along with the City of Hephzibah and the Glascock County Board of Commissioners.

Officials stated that this funding comes after months of advocacy by Senator Warnock, who pressed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to fulfill its commitments to Georgia’s communities, particularly those in rural areas, in the aftermath of Helene’s destruction.

In a report released last September, Senator Warnock highlighted that nearly $500 million in promised federal aid had not been delivered. The newly secured funds are intended to reimburse local governments for their expenditures on recovery efforts following the hurricane.

Senator Reverend Warnock made a statement on X on December 10th after new evidence emerged showing that the Trump Administration owed $600 million in Hurricane Helene recovery aid to Georgians stating:

“I released a report exposing $500 million in delayed payments months ago. The bills are piling up and that number has only grown. They’re abandoning Georgians and crippling local economies.”

“After months of pressuring this administration to deliver for Georgians, I am proud to have secured over $300 million in federal funding owed to Georgia. Hurricanes and natural disasters are not political; they do not care if you voted red or blue, and Georgia counties and cities went right to work recovering from Helene’s destruction with the understanding the federal government would fulfill its promises and pay their share,” Senator Warnock adds. “It should not have gotten to this point, and there is still more work to be done. I will continue fighting until Georgia’s communities, particularly in rural Georgia, get every cent they are owed.”

The list of Georgia counties and localities receiving federal funding include: (Officials state this is not a comprehensive list of entities receiving funding)