Gov. Youngkin provides updates on Helene recovery efforts: ‘We need to hear from you’

VIRGINIA- (WWBT) - Governor Glenn Youngkin says parts of Virginia are building themselves back up again after a devastating natural disaster.

Nearly two months after Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida’s Big Bend and made its way to southwestern Virginia the effects are still being felt.

“There’s a lot of work to do still in addition to providing support for people to rebuild or repair homes, to get businesses up and running,” said Gov. Youngkin from inside the Virginia Emergency Operations Center Thursday.

Youngkin also highlights the tens of millions of dollars already distributed to Virginians impacted by the storm.

10,000 people applied for individual assistance, and 2,700 needed home inspections. According to a FEMA representative, most of those are complete.

However, if you applied for individual assistance and received a rejection letter, there may be a few reasons why.

“For example, if you lost a refrigerator full of your most recent grocery store trip, you can’t claim that on individual assistance.” Youngkin said, “At the end of the day, the top issue for folks who are receiving these rejection letters is that we are having trouble getting in touch with you.”

The Governor urges anyone who received a rejection letter to contact Fema or visit one of the eight disaster recovery centers across the region.

Looking ahead, Youngkin says next week he’ll speak with the White House and Congress to submit the kind of support Virginia needs to get back on its feet.

“That will be covered by hopefully congressional movements,” said Youngkin. “Incremental funding for FEMA, incremental funding for the SBA, HUD and the USDA.

If you have not applied for individual assistance and believe you qualify, your deadline to apply is Dec. 2.