Senator Jon Ossoff criticized the Trump administration for denying Georgia’s request for an extension of hurricane relief due to Hurricane Helene. Despite the storm causing over $5.5 billion in damages to Georgia’s agriculture and local communities still facing cleanup challenges, FEMA denied the appeal, which has drawn further scrutiny and calls for a reversal from state officials.
U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) expressed his displeasure regarding the Trump administration’s denial of Georgia’s request for an extension of hurricane relief related to Hurricane Helene. In January, Governor Brian Kemp sought assistance from FEMA to prolong the reimbursement period for local cleanup costs. Despite a prior appeal from both Senators Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock, the request was officially denied last Wednesday by FEMA’s acting administrator Cameron Hamilton.
Hurricane Helene caused significant destruction in Georgia and other southern states back in October, resulting in flooding and fatalities, with 34 deaths reported in Georgia alone. The damage is estimated to exceed $10 billion across several states, particularly impacting farmers and agribusinesses. Specifically, Georgia farmers experienced losses of at least $5.5 billion due to the storm, according to analyses conducted by the University of Georgia.
Senators Ossoff and Warnock informed President Trump that FEMA’s funding for debris removal has been vital for communities working to recover from the disaster. They noted that while states like Florida and South Carolina had their relief programs extended for 180 days, Georgia’s relief was limited to 120 days and set to end on February 3rd.
In a letter to Governor Kemp, Hamilton stated that the enhanced funding requested by Georgia was not justified, leading to the denial for an extension of federal funding for cleanup efforts. He noted that FEMA would monitor assistance costs and could consider an adjustment if certain criteria were met.
Following the denial, Senator Ossoff articulated that it was imperative for Georgia to receive the necessary federal support. He remarked, “Georgia was devastated by Hurricane Helene last fall, and clean-up efforts by local governments are still underway. The Trump Administration just denied Georgia’s request to extend the period during which local governments can claim Federal assistance for cleanup efforts for Georgia. This decision is wrong, and I urge the Trump Administration to reverse course.”
A representative from Governor Kemp’s office commented that the proposed budget would account for the remaining costs incurred in light of the funding rejection, ensuring continuity of financial support to cover local expenses post-cleanup assistance.
In summary, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff criticized the Trump administration’s rejection of Georgia’s appeal for additional hurricane relief funding following Hurricane Helene’s fallout. The denial impacts local recovery efforts, with significant financial losses reported among Georgia farmers. Both Senators Ossoff and Warnock are urging the administration to reconsider its decision for the sake of the affected communities.
Original Source: www.fox5atlanta.com
