Governor Youngkin proposes establishing Disaster Assistance Fund

Governor Youngkin proposed a $127 million investment to establish the Disaster Assistance Fund.

This one-time funding will address critical recovery needs by leveraging existing resources to fill gaps left by federal and private recovery efforts, providing targeted support to rebuild communities.

The Disaster Assistance Fund will support life, safety, and housing-related recovery efforts for costs not covered by federal assistance, private donations, or insurance.

Distributions from the Fund would be appropriated by specific legislation.

Relief to Southwest Virginia from the lasting devastation of Hurricane Helene will be enacted by legislation during the 2025 Virginia General Assembly Session.

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Sen. Warner and Kaine and WFD continue Helene recovery efforts

Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced the addition of  $2 million in support for Hurricane Helene recovery effort in Southwest Virginia.

The federal funding was awarded by the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Meanwhile, the Woodstock Fire Department (WFD) announced  that they are a drop off point for additional Hurricane Helene relief supplies.

The WFD effort is to collect clean up items, buckets, liquid dish and laundry soap, scrub brushes, work gloves and other supplies listed here.

The collection is only for certain items and no cash donations can be accepted by WFD.

The best and most effective way to help monetarily can be found here.

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Warren County steps up efforts to help hurricane victims

Used by permission by the Warren County Office employee Sergeant Terry Fritts

Thanks to an anonymous community member there is now a tractor-trailer ready to bring donations to Hurricane Helene victims.

Donations that have already arrived will be transferred to the tractor-trailer once it arrives according to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

The tractor-trailer is set to leave for Southwest Virginia and if enough supplies are collected on to the Carolinas.

Supplies are being collected for victims, first responders, and animals affected by the hurricane.

Items are being collected at the Warren County Public Safety building at 200 Skyline Vista Drive Front Royal 24 hours a day through October 12.

Along with the usual recovery items like water, sports drinks, toilet products, diapers, and the like there is a new list of items being requested.

Those new items include shovels, rakes, wire, camping chairs, new sleeping bags, air mattresses, and any other types of items that will help in the recovery.

The recovery process will take a large amount of time and there is another storm that is likely to strike later this week.

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FEMA is approved to assist Virginia in Helene recovery

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been approved by President Biden to assist Virginia in recovery from Helene.

This means that federal funding has become available to the state and certain nonprofits organizations on a cost sharing basis for emergency in the hardest hit areas.

Direct assistance is available for Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wyth Counties and the City of Galax.

Governor Youngkin visited Damascus in Southwest Virginia September 29 to assess the storm damage caused by Hurricane Helene and emphasized the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting the affected communities in their recovery efforts.

Over 50 swift water crews were deployed with helicopter air support and able to help stranded people in Washington County in the city of Damascus where substantial flooding was recorded particularly at Radford University.

A Virginia State Police helicopter was dispatched to assist at least 50 people on the roof of a hospital in Tennessee.

In Virginia one fatality occurred in Craig County when a tree fell causing a building collapse.

Five counties including Augusta were under voluntary evacuation recommendations during the brunt of the storm.

Governor Youngkin said the recovery from this storm is going to take some time.

He also commended the efforts of all first responders in answering the call.

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Youngkin proposes Virginia Power Innovation Fund

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced his proposal of $10 million in the upcoming budget to create the Virginia Power Innovation Fund.

The goal of the fund is to develop and innovate energy technologies including nuclear, hydrogen, carbon capture and utilization, and battery storage.

An additional $5 million will be used to grow Virginia’s nuclear energy industry by creating a Virginia nuclear innovation hub.

Educational institutions will use grants from these funds for nuclear workforce development and studying and exploring potential sites for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors in Southwest Virginia.

That location holds a lot of promise due to the dozens of reclaimed coal mines in the area.

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