The Trump administration has turned down a request from Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for a second deadline extension to apply for relief from the state following Hurricane Helene, which struck in September.
Why It Matters
Swathes of the Southeast were devastated in late September by Hurricane Helene, which left 219 people dead and caused billions of dollars’ worth of damage.
Helene was the deadliest hurricane to strike the mainland U.S. since Katrina in 2005, with Florida, Georgia, North Carolina South Carolina and Virginia particularly badly hit.
RICHARD PIERRIN/AFP/GETTY
What To Know
On Wednesday, Cameron Hamilton, acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), told Kemp that his request for a second deadline extension for local authorities in Georgia to apply for assistance related to the storm had been denied.
Kemp, a Republican, had requested the deadline extension in January. Initially, Georgia had been given a 120-day extension for FEMA applications that came to an end on February 3. FEMA had given 180-day extensions to Florida and South Carolina.
Kemp’s request for an extension had been supported by Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns and Agricultural Commissioner Tyler Harper, both Republicans.
According to a study published by the University of Georgia, Hurricane Helene caused at least $5.5 billion “in agricultural and timber losses” across the state.
On February 11, FEMA issued a press release saying it had approved “more than $614.7 million in federal disaster assistance to help homeowners, renters and communities” across Georgia recover from Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby, which struck in August. They said $308.6 million was for individual and household assistance, and $306.1 million for community recovery.
FEMA added that the figure would likely rise as it had yet to finish processing nearly 400,000 requests for individual assistance and 1,900 group project requests.
What People Are Saying
Cameron Hamilton, acting FEMA administrator, in his letter to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp: “It has been determined that the increased level of funding you have requested for major disaster FEMA-4830-DR is not warranted.
“Therefore, I must inform you that your request for an extension of the period of 100 percent federal funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance to 180 days is denied.”
A spokesperson for Kemp told Newsweek: “Our office has received FEMA’s response denying the State’s request to extend the 100% federal reimbursement for eligible cleanup expenses in both Categories A and B.
“With the federal reimbursement now at 75%, the Governor’s proposed AFY25 budget includes funding projected to cover the 25% non-federal cost share for all eligible expenses that are incurred after the 100% federal reimbursement period and completed within the due date to be eligible for federal reimbursement.”
Kemp told Atlanta First News: “We had already gotten one extension so to do another one would’ve really been abnormal. We were prepared for that in case that was not to happen. We’ll continue to work on this, make everything whole, and make sure that we continue to get all that trash picked up and put our communities back together.”
Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat, in a statement: “Georgia was devastated by Hurricane Helene last fall, and clean-up efforts by local governments are still underway. The Trump Administration just denied Georgia’s request to extend the period during which local governments can claim Federal assistance for cleanup efforts for Georgia. This decision is wrong, and I urge the Trump Administration to reverse course and ensure Georgia’s local governments get the vital support they need.”
What Happens Next
The Trump administration’s refusal to grant Georgia a second extension for FEMA support applications, despite Florida and South Carolina being given longer deadlines, could spark a backlash in the Republican-dominated state. Kemp insists he was prepared for this scenario.
Update 2/18/25, 4:26 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with comment from a Kemp spokesperson.
