VALDOSTA, Ga. - Almost a week after Hurricane Helene cut a devastating path through Georgia and in the South, crews continue to work around the clock across the state on the recovery effort.
At a press conference on Thursday, Georgia Gov. Kemp said the death toll has risen to 33 people in the state and close to 200 across the South.
"Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the families of those who have experienced this heartbreak and tragedy and to the communities affected," Kemp said.
Three of the lives lost in Chatham County were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator, the governor said, emphasizing the importance of keeping generators away from windows and doors.
As of Thursday morning, more than 260,000 Georgia customers remain without power - mostly centered in the eastern and southern parts of the state.
Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Director Chris Stallings said that the current estimated costs of the storm in Georgia is $417 million, but he said that the number is expected to "increase exponentially" as more counties share information.
"The goal is to make sure every person that was impacted from the storm has the opportunity to recover," Stallings said.
MORE: Georgia’s farmers take massive hit after Helene; ‘bomb blast’ could cost state billions
About 2,000 members of the Georgia National Guard have been deployed around the state to help with the recovery efforts.
Georgia's state of emergency after Hurricane Helene
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Hurricane Helen recovery efforts continue
Thousands still remain without power and the devastation in some communities is overwhelming almost a week after Hurricane Helene tore through Georgia.
Earlier this week, Kemp extended Georgia's state of emergency to just before midnight on Oct. 9. The governor issued the executive order citing concerns over the potential disruption to supply chains and the well-being of Georgia residents. The order allows state agencies to allocate resources for relief efforts.
Kemp also announced a suspension of Georgia's gas tax to help lower costs and move goods and services to impacted areas. That order went into effect on Thursday.
MORE: Dad treks miles through Hurricane Helene aftermath to walk daughter down aisle
The governor said it may take a while to get the price down, but it will eventually save Georgians about 32 cents per gallon of regular gasoline and 36 cents per gallon of diesel fuel.
Kemp said that he hoped the price decrease will economically help Georgians who are using fuel to power their homes and generators.
Biden visiting Georgia to survey Helene damage
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VP Harris in Augusta to assess hurricane damage
Vice President Kamala Harris stopped by Augusta on Wednesday to assess the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, speak to impacted families and learn more about Georgia's recovery plan.
President Joe Biden will be in Georgia on Thursday afternoon to personally take in the scenes of toppled trees, damaged homes and lives upended.
The president is set to tour affected areas in Florida before flying to Valdosta to survey the storm's aftermath.
Biden's visit comes a day after Vice President Kamala Harris' own trip to the area, where she spoke with families impacted by the storm and handed out meals.
"I was just talking with one of the members of the community and her daughter who lost her husband," Harris said. "There is real pain and trauma there that has resulted from this hurricane and what has happened in terms of the aftermath of it."
The vice president and Democratic presidential nominee promised that the federal government would do what it could to support the state and aid in the recovery.
"We are here for the long haul," she said.
Disaster assistance for Georgia families, organizations
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Georgia Sheriffs' Association helps rural areas
The Georgia Sheriffs' Association is trying to help out rural counties that were hit hard by Hurricane Helene. In Coweta County, the focus is residents in Emmanuel County.
The Biden Administration has worked with Kemp and state officials to approve a Major Disaster Declaration for 41 Georgia counties, which allows federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts.
The assistance can include low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, grants for home repairs and temporary housing, and other programs to help with recovery. The approval also allows for a one-time $750 payment to help with essential items like food, water, and baby formula.
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"The Major Disaster Declaration will begin to provide critical resources to the limited counties designated for Hurricane Helene. We are hopeful once more of the impacted areas receive proper
damage assessments, the Declaration will add the necessary counties for Individual Assistance, Public Assistance Categories A through G, including increased federal cost shares for both
emergency and permanent work," GEMA/HS Director Chris Stallings said. "Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our residents, and we will continue to work alongside our local, state, and federal partners to provide the support needed during this challenging time."
Kemp said that he believes the declaration will expand to other counties.
Residents and businesses can begin applying for assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362, on the FEMA app, or at disaster recovery centers which will be set up across the state in the upcoming week.
The Biden Administration has also authorized the federal government to pay for 100% of the cleanup from Hurricane Helene for the first 90 days.