Parts of Virginia declared federal disaster areas following Helene

(The Center Square) – Parts of southwestern Virginia have been approved to receive federal aid following a federal emergency declaration after the remnants of Hurricane Helene tore through the region, devastating swaths of the southeast.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced the counties of Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe, and the city of Galax have been declared a state of emergency via a declaration from President Joe Biden.

“The president’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe,” according to the emergency declaration.

FEMA has been authorized to identify and mobilize “resources necessary” to aid in the “impacts of the emergency.” The declaration adds, “Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.”

Youngkin assured that the commonwealth will be working with the federal government to “pursue all avenues for assistance programs.”

Over the weekend, the governor surveyed the damage as he visited impacted areas, including Independence, Fries, Pembroke, Narrows and Bisset Park. He reassured residents that the commonwealth is working to restore water, power and communications to the region.

The governor’s office noted that the commonwealth made over 70 rescues since the storm hit.

“Today, I visited some of the impacted counties to reiterate that we are praying for all affected Virginians and we’re working to restore power, communications, water, and cellphone coverage immediately," Youngkin said. "State and local officials are coordinating to ensure that key essentials such as water and food are available to those that need it.”

The governor applauded the White House and some of the commonwealth’s federal representatives for helping to secure federal assistance.

“Hurricane Helene’s impacts were felt across southwest Virginia and the impacts are heart-wrenching," the governor said. "Immediately, we went to work to request additional federal assistance on top of the state and local assistance that we are already providing.”

Youngkin said the commonwealth will continue to engage Virginians to ensure those impacted receive the assistance they need while thanking first responders.

“I am proud," he said, "of Virginia first responders for their assistance, the grit and resilience of Virginians and together, we will get through this.”