Southwest Virginia awaiting federal funding relief for Hurricane Helene restoration efforts

GILESCOUNTY,Va.(WFXR)–PresidentDonaldTrumpapprovedVirginia’smajordisasterdeclarationandsignificantadditionalfundingforSouthwestVirginiafollowingthedevastationfromHurricaneHelene. SittingonthebanksoftheNewRiver,Narrowswasoneoftheharderhitareasinthecommonwealth.Whileemergencymanagementispleasedtoreceivemoreaid,it’sstillhopingformorehelpforresidents. “We’rehopefulthattheindividualassistancecomesthroughbecausethosewiththeindividualassistancemeanswecangiveaidtotheindividuals,”JonButler,GilesCounty’semergencyservicescoordinator,said.“Thepublicassistancepartmeanswegetaid,andwe’reverygratefulforanyfederalandstateaidthatwecanget,butwewouldreallyliketoseethatextendedtotheindividualsinthecommunity.” AbunchofindividualhomesandbusinessesalongtheNewRiverexperienceddamagesfromHelene. HurricaneHelenedebrisremovalcontinuesinBlacksburgandWytheCounty ThatincludestheIronSkilletrestaurant,whichhasbee