ICYMI: Senator Reverend Warnock Meets with Community Leaders, Surveys Damage in Augusta Following Hurricane Helene

Following the devastation of Hurricane Helene last week, Senator Reverend Warnock traveled to Augusta to meet with community leaders and residents

During his visit, the Senator participated in a community roundtable, delivered bottled water, and surveyed storm damage with city officials

Senator Reverend Warnock: "My heart is with the people of Augusta and this entire region. Much of the southeast has been devastated in the wake of Hurricane Helene. It's the human toll I am focused on most of all. I'm here to reassure the people of this region that you are not forgotten, we are here, and we are working around the clock to deliver all the federal resources that are necessary"

Senator Warnock talks with impacted residents in Augusta outside of Golden Harvest Food Bank

WRDW: Sen. Raphael Warnock pays a visit to Augusta after Helene -WATCH VIDEO HERE

Augusta, Georgia - Today U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) traveled to Augusta, Georgia to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Helene and meet with local elected officials and community leaders about their needs from the federal government in the aftermath of the storm. During his visit, the Senator participated in a roundtable with community leaders and members at Golden Harvest Food Bank. Following the roundtable briefing, Senator Warnock surveyed storm damage around Augusta with State Representative Gloria Frazier, Richmond County Commissioner Francine Scott, and Pastor Larry Fryer of Miles Memorial CME Church. Following the tour, Senator Warnock dropped off cases of water bottles to local volunteers and residents at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Members of the Senator's staff in the area distributed additional cases of water bottles to communities in need.

"My heart is with the people of Augusta and this entire region. Much of the southeast has been devastated in the wake of Hurricane Helene. It's the human toll I am focused on most of all," said Senator Reverend Warnock. "I'm here to reassure the people of this region that you are not forgotten, we are here, and we are working around the clock to deliver all the federal resources that are necessary."

See photos below of Senator Warnock's survey of Augusta following Hurricane Helene:

Senator Warnock distributing bottled water to the Augusta community

Senator Warnock with Robert Lanier who has given out over 1,000 free meals

VIEW FULL PHOTO ALBUM

Ahead of Hurricane Helene's landfall in Georgia, Senator Warnock and his office had been in touch with state and local leaders to offer support, and in the storm's devastating aftermath have stayed in frequent contact with elected officials, hospital leaders, and other community leaders across the state to address the needs and provide support, including delivering water, power, and other necessary supplies. The Senator has also worked urgently to use the tools of the federal government to provide swift and robust support to impacted Georgia families and communities, including successfully pushing President Biden to approve an emergency disaster declaration and most recently joining his Georgia congressional delegation colleagues to urge the President to "promptly" make a major disaster declaration that will unlock additional aid and support for Georgians in need. Additionally, as a member of the Senate Agriculture committee, Senator Warnock has been a vocal advocate for additional disaster aid to support Georgia's farmers, and has called for the Senate to take up and pass legislation to provide additional relief as soon as possible.

More coverage of Senator Reverend Warnock's below:

WJBF: Senator Raphael Warnock holds roundtable with community leaders in wake of Helene

• […] U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock is here now as well. Before starting his tour he held a roundtable with different leaders throughout our community at Golden Harvest Food Bank.

• A state of Emergency has already been declared in the state of Georgia. Warnock tells us he's now pushing on the federal level to elevate the status to 'Major Disaster'.

• "I will continue to push for that to happen, it will both speed up the response and increase the resources."

• Following that interview, Senator Warnock held a roundtable discussion with leaders from agencies across the area to assess the needs.

WFXG: Senator Warnock sits down with local organizations

• "I'm here to reassure the people of this region that you are not forgotten," he said.

• While a state of emergency has already been declared in Georgia, Warnock is pushing for the status to be raised to a "major disaster" on the federal level.

• The senator took the time to hear from local hospitals, schools, city mayors and organizations on the status of their operations and what they need to move forward.

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