Virginia receives fast-tracked disaster declaration due to impacts from Helene

Posted: Oct 2, 2024 / 11:07 AM EDT

Updated: Oct 2, 2024 / 02:08 PM EDT

RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) – Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced on Wednesday that Virginia’s request for an expedited Federal Major Disaster Declaration has been granted.

According to a release, President Biden granted the request due to the impacts from Hurricane Helene. This will help to provide additional support to both individuals and local governments impacted in the Commonwealth.

Youngkins statement can be read in full below:

This is the most significant disaster in the Commonwealth since 2011, and due to the severity and magnitude of the damages, we are thankful that Virginia was able to get this expedited disaster declaration so that we can continue this long process of recovery. This will allow us to get resources to our impacted communities and Virginians as fast as possible. We will continue to work to add jurisdictions as additional assessments occur in impacted areas. I want to thank our local responders, volunteers, federal partners, and the Virginia Emergency Support Team who have been working day and night to assist with ongoing response and recovery operations. Thank you to Senator Warner, Senator Kaine and Congressman Morgan Griffith for your support during this recovery effort and together, we will make it through.
Governor Glenn Youngkin

The release states the declaration will allow for federal funding to be made available in Giles, Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington and Wythe Counties, as well as the independent city of Galax.

Currently, federal funding is available to the following locations in Virginia: