This story was updated on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 5:29 p.m.
President Joe Biden spoke about federal aid given to farmers and producers affected by Helene while delivering remarks in Ray City, Georgia, Thursday afternoon.
Ray City is about 18 miles north of Valdosta, one of the areas in rural Georgia hit the hardest by Helene. Crews are still removing debris in Ray City, and many residents are still without power.
Biden acknowledged first responders and several individuals who lost their homes, belongings and loved ones.
“I see you, I hear you, I grieve with you, and I promise you we have your back,” Biden said. “We’re going to stay until you’re restored.”
Biden said the Department of Agriculture is aiding farmers, ranchers and small businesses and FEMA is knocking on doors to help people apply for disaster assistance. He estimated that recovery efforts will cost billions of dollars across several states.
At least 33 people in Georgia have died from the effects of Helene. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced on Tuesday a major disaster declaration for 41 counties in the state, including Berrien. On Thursday, Kemp met with Biden to thank him and push for more counties to receive the disaster declaration and support.
Biden’s visit comes one day after Vice President Kamala Harris surveyed the damage in Augusta, another Georgia city that faced destruction from Helene.
During her remarks, Harris announced complete federal reimbursement of costs incurred by local governments and agencies for providing recovery services, such as debris cleanup, food, water and shelter.
Buck Paulk, owner of Shiloh Pecan Farms in Ray City, also spoke Thursday afternoon about the needs of farmers like him following the storm.
“We don’t look to get handouts or things like that, but we do need help, and I know God can send us that help, some of that help in the way of government administration,” he said.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said the agricultural losses are significant, although the full extent is unknown.
“USDA has a suite of disaster tools designed specifically for farmers and producers, to help with things like repairing structures and fences, removing debris, help with soil erosion, pay for livestock losses and provide assistance to help feed animals and pay for uninsured losses,” Vilsack said.
He said the USDA is working with crop insurance to expedite payments. He added that farmers can call the USDA stress hotline at 883-381-7243.
Agricultural producer Derrick Dawson also advocated for assistance for small, minority-owned farms.
“We need assistance. We need cleanup. We need rebuilding. We need restoring our lives on the family farms,” Dawson said.
Biden thanked Kemp, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, U.S. Rep. Austin Scott R-Ga. and U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr. D-Ga.
He also spoke fiercely against “rabid partisanship.”
“In moments like this, it’s time to put politics aside. Again, it’s not one state versus another; it’s the United States,” Biden said. “There are no Democrats or Republicans out here, it’s what we do to make sure we restore the economy. Only Americans are here.”
Residents of the 41 counties under a major disaster declaration can apply for FEMA assistance by visiting disasterassistance.gov, downloading the FEMA app or calling 1-800-621-3362. Those who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities should call 800-462-7585. FEMA has received around 100,000 disaster assistance applications.
The American Red Cross has opened 10 shelters in Georgia, which can be found here. The Salvation Army has also opened several food distribution locations in the state.
Around 60% of electric customers in Berrien County, where Ray City is located, are without power according to poweroutage.us. Ray City also extends partially into Lanier County, where more than 60% of electric customers are without power.
The Ray City Fire Department is passing out ready-to-eat meals, water, ice and tarps from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, according to the Berrien County Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority. Ray City residents can also get hot food at the Azalea City Church of God at 5 p.m. nightly.
Former President Donald Trump and Kemp will appear jointly at a press event on Friday in Columbia County, Georgia, to deliver remarks about the aftermath of Helene. Trump visited Valdosta on Monday.
