RICHMOND, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Governor Glenn Youngkin announced today (Wednesday) that President Biden has granted Virginia’s request for an expedited Federal Major Disaster Declaration due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene. This declaration provides additional support to individuals and local governments in affected areas of the state.

“This is the most significant disaster in the Commonwealth since 2011,” said Governor Youngkin, “and we are thankful for the expedited disaster declaration so we can move forward with the recovery process.” He emphasized that resources would be distributed as quickly as possible to assist impacted communities and pledged continued efforts to add more jurisdictions as further damage assessments are completed.

The declaration enables federal funding for individuals in Giles, Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wythe Counties, and the city of Galax. Federal assistance will also be available to state, tribal, and local governments, along with private nonprofit organizations in several other counties and cities for emergency work and hazard mitigation statewide.

The declaration follows a previous federal emergency declaration approved on September 29, 2024.