Following the destructive path of Hurricane Helene, Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp spent the start of October visiting and assessing the damages in multiple counties throughout Georgia. Both state figures not only surveyed the aftermath but met with local emergency management officials and residents to understand the crucial needs of those directly impacted by the storm. The Governor's Office released a detailed itinerary of their visits, highlighting impacted areas including Berrien County and Coffee County, among others.
The tour kicked off in Lowndes County on Saturday, where the Governor and First Lady witnessed the devastations firsthand. Joined by a roster of officials, including GEMA/HS Director Chris Stallings and General Dwayne Wilson of the Georgia National Guard, they provided updates on the state's response efforts. Subsequent tours included Richmond County and its surrounding areas, reinforcing the image of a state profoundly affected by Helene's devastation.
In response to the widespread damage, Governor Kemp took decisive actions to bolster the state's emergency measures, extending a state of emergency declaration across all 159 counties and requesting an expedited emergency proclamation from FEMA. These steps, aimed at streamlining relief and recovery, were detailed in an official statement and emphasized the authorization of additional Georgia Guard troops to assist in the efforts. An executive order was also issued to alleviate fuel tax, as part of the strategy to keep the supply chains fluid and cost-effective during this critical period.
Yesterday, Governor Kemp held a press conference along with key officials to update the public on recovery progress and ongoing challenges. The Governor's advocacy bore fruit as FEMA agreed to cover 100% of cleanup costs for the initial months, a significant financial relief for the recovering state. They also continued to push for more counties to be included in the federal disaster declaration, according to statements published on the Governor's Office website.
