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US NATIONAL NEWS
President Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Florida After Hurricane Helene, Federal Aid Activated
WASHINGTON (FNN) – In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. has officially declared a major disaster in the State of Florida, authorizing Federal aid to bolster State, tribal, and local recovery efforts for the areas hardest hit since the storm began on September 23, 2024.
Key Points:
- Federal funding is now available to assist individuals in the following counties: Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla.
- Aid includes:
- Grants for temporary housing and home repairs.
- Low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.
- Additional recovery programs for individuals and business owners.
- State, tribal, and eligible local governments, along with certain private nonprofit organizations, will receive Federal funding on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in the affected counties.
- Hazard mitigation funding is also available statewide on a cost-sharing basis.
“This declaration is crucial for Floridians as we begin the long road to recovery,” said John E. Brogan, FEMA’s appointed coordinator for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. “We are working around the clock to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most.”
Additional Assistance:
- Damage assessments are ongoing, and more counties and forms of assistance may be designated as evaluations continue.
- Residents and business owners who sustained losses can apply for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or using the FEMA App.
To strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities, President Biden announced a series of decisive actions:
- “I have directed the Department of Defense to allocate all of its remaining security assistance funding that has been appropriated for Ukraine by the end of my term in office,” President Biden declared. This includes authorizing $5.5 billion in Presidential Drawdown Authority to ensure that U.S. equipment for Ukraine is fully utilized and U.S. stockpiles are replenished.
- The Department of Defense will provide $2.4 billion in security assistance through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, enhancing Ukraine’s air defense, Unmanned Aerial Systems, and long-range strike capabilities. This also includes the refurbishment of an additional Patriot air defense battery and the provision of additional Patriot missiles.
- In a significant move to bolster Ukraine’s air force, President Biden has directed the Department of Defense to expand training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots, supporting the training of 18 additional pilots next year.
- To undermine Russian efforts, the Department of Justice, the Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Secret Service have coordinated to disrupt a global cryptocurrency network involved in Russian sanctions evasion and money laundering.
Looking ahead, President Biden will convene a leader-level meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany next month, reinforcing the international coalition supporting Ukraine’s defense.
“Through these actions, my message is clear: The United States will provide Ukraine with the support it needs to win this war,” President Biden concluded, emphasizing the U.S.’s commitment to Ukraine’s success in the face of Russian aggression.
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