Statement from Appalachian Voices on Biden Administration request for $98 billion in disaster funding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2024

CONTACT
Dan Radmacher, Media Specialist, (540) 798-6683, dan@appvoices.org 

Today, the Biden administration sent a request to Congress for $98 billion in supplemental disaster funding to recover from Hurricane Helene, as well as Hurricane Milton and other disasters across the country since 2022. This package includes funding for:

• FEMA Disaster Relief Fund: $40 billion
• Small Business Administration Disaster Loans Program: $2.2 billion
• Economic Development Administration emergency programs: $1.5 billion
• EPA water infrastructure funding: $4 billion
• USDA disaster programs for impacted farmers and rural development: $23.5 billion
• U.S. Department of Energy for grid repairs and hardening: $1 billion
• U.S. Department of Education disaster recovery funding: $950 million
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development community development fund for disaster recovery: $12 billion
• U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Relief Program: $8 billion

It has been over 50 days since Hurricane Helene made landfall and moved into the Southern and Central Appalachian Mountains, causing untold destruction and changing the landscape of our region. Our communities have come together to support each other, helping clean mud from homes and businesses, opening houses to neighbors in need and volunteering to repair local roads and to clear trails in our national forests. However, our community resources are limited. We need Congress to pass comprehensive disaster aid so that our communities, and many communities like ours across the country, can rebuild from recent disasters.

Statement by Kevin Zedack, Government Affairs Specialist:

“President Biden’s $98 billion request for disaster funding is a strong proposal for Congress to consider. The funding in this package would support rural communities, help restore local economies and housing, repair infrastructure, and get our kids and teachers back into safe and clean classrooms. Supporting the repair and rebuilding of the region’s housing and economy are critical investments now that may save the region from further economic distress for years to come.

“However, the president’s request does not address the needs of our national forests across the region. Helene hit right before the fall foliage season would bring millions of tourism dollars to the region. But with impassable and unsafe trails and roads throughout the area, our economy is likely to continue suffering without federal resources to take care of federal lands.”