The Trump Administration has rejected Brian Kemp’s plea to extend full federal funding for Hurricane Helene cleanup, a move that stalls critical support for local governments still recovering from last year’s devastation.
The denial targets a state Trump won in the 2024 election. The funding would have helped with cleanup of debris from the hurricane that struck coastal and south Georgia.
📌 What We Know: Hurricane Helene slammed Georgia in September 2024, prompting a federal disaster declaration. Governor Brian Kemp sought a 180-day extension of full federal reimbursement for debris removal and emergency costs, plus a 90% federal share for permanent repairs. On February 12, the Trump Administration denied the request, arguing the “increased funding” wasn’t justified.
👥 Reaction: The decision came via a letter from FEMA to Kemp, dated February 12. Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff condemned the move, calling it “wrong” and urging a reversal. Both Ossoff and Senator Raphael Warnock had previously pressured the administration to approve the extension.
💡 Why It Matters: Local governments across Georgia rely on federal reimbursements to cover hurricane cleanup costs. Without the extension, cities and counties now face tighter deadlines to submit claims — or risk shouldering more expenses themselves. Debris removal and infrastructure repairs continue in many communities eight months after the storm.
🗣️ Response from Officials: “This decision is wrong,” Ossoff said Friday. “I urge the Trump Administration to reverse course and ensure Georgia’s local governments get the vital support they need.”
🔮 What’s Next: Georgia has 30 days to appeal the denial, submitting new evidence to FEMA. The agency says it will monitor spending and could adjust cost shares if disaster costs meet certain thresholds — but no guarantees were offered.
⚠️ Why This Should Catch Your Attention: The rejection shows a key difference in how Donald Trump handles federal assistance requests compared to previous administrations, often basing decisions on personal relationships or on the votes he received in an election. Trump and Kemp have had a long history of friction.
✉️ The Letter: You can read the denial letter in its entirety here.
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B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
