Congress passes Helene relief funding and economic assistance for farmers

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Rhonda Bell looks on after an oak tree landed on her 100-year-old home after Hurricane Helene moved through, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Valdosta, Ga.

Credit: AP Photo/Mike Stewart

U.S. Congress has passed billions of dollars of funding for Hurricane Helene relief in the federal spending bill. 

The package which passed Saturday includes $21 billion for agricultural disaster relief, as well as an additional $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers in states impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Senator Jon Ossoff said that the exact amount of aid that would be distributed to Georgia farmers has not been determined, but the relief package would provide critical support to rural areas.

“Remember that agriculture is Georgia's No.1 industry. And rural Georgia depends upon agriculture as its lifeblood. If family farms in Georgia fail, then whole rural communities fail," he said. 

It’s estimated that Hurricane Helene caused between 6 and 7 billion dollars worth of damage to Georgia agriculture.

The bill has been approved by President Biden.