Floridians have been offered various aid, including IRS relief, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which has left a devastating mark across the Southeast.
Over 160 people have died across six states as a result of the hurricane, according to CBS. The massive Category 4 tore through the U.S. Southeast region last week, leaving millions without power and communications. Hundreds remain missing as rescue crews struggle to reach the hardest-hit areas.
As of Tuesday evening, CBS News confirmed at least 77 storm-related deaths in North Carolina, 36 in South Carolina, 25 in Georgia, 14 in Florida, eight in Tennessee, and two in Virginia. Officials warn that these numbers may rise as recovery operations continue.
As of Wednesday, 21,000 people in Florida were still without power as utility crews work to clear blocked roads and repair damaged infrastructure.
In a bid to ease the financial burden on those affected, the IRS announced that individuals and businesses in parts of Florida impacted by Hurricane Helene will receive tax relief. Taxpayers in the affected areas now have until May 1, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
This tax relief applies to residents and business owners in the counties affected by the hurricane, allowing for an extension of certain deadlines that fall on or after August 1, 2024, and before May 1, 2025. The extension covers individuals who had a valid extension to file their 2023 return, businesses with original or extended due dates, and quarterly estimated tax payments. Additionally, penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due between September 23, 2024, and October 8, 2024, will be abated if the tax deposits are made by October 8, 2024. Affected taxpayers who receive penalty notices should contact the IRS to request abatement.
FEMA’s federal aid program is also available to residents in several Florida counties, including Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla. State, tribal, and local governments, along with nonprofit organizations, are eligible for cost-sharing emergency assistance to aid in recovery efforts.
Federal efforts have been extensive, with President Joe Biden approving Major Disaster declarations for both Florida and North Carolina. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is on the ground in Georgia and will be in North Carolina to assess the damage. More than 3,200 federal personnel, including 800 FEMA staff, are deployed across the affected states, coordinating recovery operations.
Search and rescue teams have been critical in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) teams have deployed 24 teams with over 1,300 personnel across Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee. The U.S. Coast Guard has also saved or assisted 11 people and several pets in their rescue operations, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is providing temporary power and infrastructure assessments.
Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services declared public health emergencies in Florida and Georgia to address healthcare needs. Several teams are working to secure health services and provide crisis counseling.
The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross are also on the ground, providing hot meals, shelter, and cleanup kits. Thousands of people are currently in shelters, and response teams are continuously deployed to meet the growing needs of affected communities. As cleanup begins, officials are urging residents to follow safety instructions and remain vigilant as post-storm hazards, such as flooding and damaged infrastructure, persist.
Federal disaster declarations for other impacted states like South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee remain under review, with emergency declarations still in effect.
