Senator Jon Ossoff criticized the Trump administration for denying Georgia’s request for an extension of hurricane relief after Hurricane Helene. The storm caused considerable destruction, leading to losses of at least $5.5 billion for Georgia farmers. Despite appeals from state officials, FEMA denied the extension, prompting Ossoff to urge reconsideration of the decision.
In a recent development, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) expressed his dissatisfaction with the Trump administration’s refusal to grant Georgia’s request for an extension of hurricane relief following Hurricane Helene. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp had previously appealed to FEMA for an extension to assist local governments in recovering costs from clean-up efforts, a request supported by Senators Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA). However, FEMA’s Cameron Hamilton informed the governor that the request was denied, despite similar extensions being granted to other affected states.
Hurricane Helene caused significant devastation in Georgia and across the southeastern United States in October, leading to severe flooding and extensive property damage. The storm resulted in the tragic loss of at least 34 lives in Georgia alone and left agricultural damages across several states estimated to exceed $10 billion. In Georgia specifically, farmers faced losses totaling approximately $5.5 billion, as reported by the University of Georgia, with North Carolina suffering losses of around $3.1 billion.
In a letter to President Trump, Senators Ossoff and Warnock emphasized the importance of FEMA’s funding for the Debris Coverage Program, which they articulated as essential for communities affected by the hurricane. While states like Florida and South Carolina received extensions of 180 days, the extension in Georgia was limited to only 120 days, set to expire on February 3.
In the denial letter sent to Governor Kemp, FEMA’s acting administrator, Hamilton, stated that the request for increased funding for disaster relief was not justified. He indicated that an appeal could be lodged within thirty days. Despite the denial, a spokesperson for Governor Kemp confirmed that the governor’s proposed budget would append funds to address the leftover costs incurred by the local governments as a result of the denial, shifting the federal reimbursement rate from 100% to 75%.
Senator Ossoff strongly criticized the decision, stating, “This decision is wrong, and I urge the Trump Administration to reverse course and ensure Georgia’s local governments get the vital support they need.” He highlighted the ongoing clean-up efforts in Georgia and called for appropriate federal assistance.
The denial of extended hurricane relief for Georgia by the Trump administration has drawn significant criticism from Senator Jon Ossoff and Governor Brian Kemp. Despite the extensive damage inflicted by Hurricane Helene and the subsequent requests for assistance, Georgia’s appeal was rejected while other states received more favorable treatment. As the recovery efforts continue, local governments will rely on state funding to cover the federal funding shortfall.
Original Source: www.fox5atlanta.com
