Kemp says state’s Helene death toll now 33 as Biden tours storm’s south Georgia devastation

Gov. Brian Kemp and Georgia emergency management officials provided an update Thursday, Oct. 2 on the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene. Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder

This story was updated at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, to include remarks from President Joe Biden.

The number of confirmed deaths caused by the swath of destruction Helene left in Georgia has risen to 33 people, and preliminary reports are up of $417 million in damages across the state.

Gov. Brian Kemp and state emergency management officials provided an update Thursday on the response to the deadly storm that swept through Georgia early Friday knocking out power to more than 1.4 million homes and businesses, causing extensive damage to farmland and property across the state.

For more information on the Major Disaster Declaration visit https://gema.georgia.gov/press-releases/2024-10-02/major-disaster-declared-41-georgia-counties-individual-and-public

For more information on public and individual disaster relief assistance email PublicAssistance@gema.ga.gov or IndividualAssistance@gema.ga.gov

President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for parts of Georgia, allowing residents in 41 of the state’s 159 counties to apply for financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Helene’s devastating trek across the Southeast has taken the lives of at least 175 people and caused massive flooding in the northeast corner of Tennessee and western Carolina that wiped out entire towns.

“Unfortunately, we have up to 33 fatalities in the state of Georgia right now, and close to 200 impacted in total by the storm,” Kemp said at Thursday’s storm update in his ceremonial office at the Georgia Capitol. “Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the families of those that have just experienced this heartbreak and this tragedy, to the communities that’s affected.”

Biden was in Georgia on Thursday to tour storm-torn areas.  Vice President Kamala Harris visited hard-hit Augusta on Wednesday, and former President Donald Trump stopped by Valdosta on Monday to survey the storm damage, two areas of the state still dealing with the worst of Helene’s destruction.

Kemp said Thursday that Georgia officials will continue to push for 90 counties in the state to be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance. FEMA has agreed to cover the first three months of cleanup costs for the counties listed in the Major Disaster Declaration .

A statewide gas tax suspension that went into effect Thursday will save drivers up to 32-cents per gallon for regular fuel and 36-cents per gallons for diesel fuel.

Chris Stallings, director of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, said Thursday that preliminary damage reports across the state estimate losses totaling at least $417 million, a number that is expected to rise substantially as assessments continue in the weeks ahead.

Kemp said that Georgia’s agriculture industry has been severely hurt by Helene, including damage to row crops, pecan trees, and poultry houses. He emphasized the importance of state government officials working with Georgia’s congressional delegation to streamline federal assistance to farmers and growers.

Democratic U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are among a bipartisan congressional delegation who signed a letter to Biden seeking more federal aid, even if it meant Congress returning to Washington from its current extended break sooner than planned.

“Although the true level of devastation is still unfolding, it is clear that Congress must act to meet the unmet needs in our states and address the scope and scale of destruction experienced by our constituents,” the letter says. “This may even require Congress to come back in October to ensure we have enough time to enact legislation before the end of this calendar year.”

Biden toured Georgia communities affected by Helene on Thursday afternoon, then spoke at a farm in Ray City, located about 18 miles away from Valdosta.

Biden thanked Kemp and Georgia’s congressional delegation, including  Warnock, U.S. Rep.  Austin Scott, a Tifton Republican and U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, an Albany Democrat.

“I want you to know I hear you, I see you, I grieve with and I promise we have your back,” Biden said. “We’re going to stay until you’re restored

Biden mentioned the importance of having first responders and search and rescue teams staged in the Southeast and having extra food, water and other supplies available.

“It’s time to put politics aside in moments like this,” he said.

“Before Helene made landfall I immediately approved emergency declarations your governor and others  asked for so all of us could focus on firsf responders and standing up emergency operation centers,” Biden said.

“And yesterday I approved Gov. Kemp’s request for the federal government to cover 100% of the costs for debris removal and emergency protection orders for three months.”

Georgia Recorder Deputy Editor Jill Nolin contributed to this report.