Federal disaster aid intended to assist victims of Hurricane Helene was scheduled to begin distribution this past Friday, March 21st, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture works to meet the deadline established by Congress. The funding is part of a broader $100 billion disaster relief package passed in December, with tens of billions earmarked for areas affected by the September storm, including Georgia.
Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction stretching from Florida to the Carolinas, with Georgia’s agriculture sector suffering an estimated $5.5 billion in damages. In response, Georgia lawmakers have implemented a variety of financial measures, including nearly $300 million in new tax incentives for farmers and timberland owners.
Of the federal funds, $21 billion is allocated for farmers, $8 billion for transportation infrastructure repairs, $12 billion in recovery grants for communities and individuals, and $2.2 billion in low-interest loans for small businesses and homeowners. Georgia farmers are expected to receive around $2.4 billion from the federal package, although delays in distribution have left many waiting for critical support during the current planting season.
Farmers in South Georgia, such as those near Lyons, have reported major crop losses and ongoing financial strain, with some forced to use emergency reserves or sell assets to meet loan payments and prepare for this year’s planting. The late arrival of federal assistance has created challenges for producers who were relying on earlier funding to pay off debts and purchase materials.
In addition to federal assistance, the Georgia General Assembly has approved new state-level tax exemptions to further aid recovery. These include income tax exemptions on federal crop insurance and disaster payments, potentially worth $140 million. Timberland owners can now claim tax credits of up to $550 per acre for replanting in 66 disaster-declared counties, with the overall benefit estimated between $83 million and $104 million through 2030.
Other provisions include sales tax exemptions on building materials for agricultural structures and the option for counties to waive timber harvest taxes for the last quarter of 2024 and all of 2025. The state will reimburse counties for any resulting revenue losses, with the cost projected at $17.4 million.
Earlier this month, the state also committed $285 million to provide low-interest loans for farmers and to remove storm-damaged timber, along with $25 million in grants aimed at helping affected individuals through nonprofit organizations.
The combined federal and state relief efforts are designed to address the widespread economic impact of Hurricane Helene and provide long-term recovery support for Georgia’s agricultural communities.