U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine of Virginia have announced $1.3 million in federal funding to evaluate damages and plan the restoration of outdoor recreation areas affected by Hurricane Helene.
This funding will support assessments in 17 counties and four independent cities, including popular sites such as the Creeper Trail, Clinch and New River boat ramps, and various trails, campgrounds, parks, bridges, and trestles.
“Virginia’s parks, trails, and public spaces enhance our Commonwealth’s beauty and significantly support local economies. We’re pleased this federal funding will address the severe damage caused by Hurricane Helene. We are also working tirelessly to secure a comprehensive disaster aid bill to fund further projects for restoring our parks and public spaces and address the ongoing needs of impacted communities in Southwest Virginia,” the senators stated.
The flooding from Hurricane Helene caused extensive damage to outdoor recreation sites, hindering tourism and disrupting critical economic development in Southwest Virginia. The funding will assist in damage assessment efforts in Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe counties, as well as the cities of Bristol, Galax, Norton, and Radford.
Senators Warner and Kaine have consistently championed support for Virginians affected by Hurricane Helene. Warner recently celebrated the passage of a law he co-sponsored to secure tax relief for Southwest Virginians impacted by the storm. He also led a bipartisan, bicameral initiative, supported by Kaine, urging congressional leaders to include substantial funding for agencies like the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the National Park Service (NPS) in supplemental disaster appropriations.
Additionally, Warner emphasized the importance of allowing the U.S. Small Business Administration to continue providing disaster assistance loans to small businesses. Both senators have advocated for a comprehensive supplemental package to address the needs of communities nationwide. Early in the disaster, Warner and Kaine pushed President Joe Biden to issue both an Emergency Declaration and an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for Virginia. They also visited impacted areas in Southwest Virginia to assess damage and discuss federal recovery efforts.
The Appalachian Regional Commission, a federal agency dedicated to the development of the 423 counties within the Appalachian region, is funding this initiative.