Hurricane Helene may have passed, but Sarasota and Manatee counties are still suffering from damage and flooding due to the storm.

Hurricane Helene may have passed, but Sarasota and Manatee counties are still suffering from damage and flooding due to the storm.

Hurricane Helene, now with winds at 125 mph, has sent rain, wind and storm surge into Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Biden: "As the storm continues to track north, ... I remain focused on life-saving and life-sustaining response and recovery efforts."

Just days after Hurricane Helene made landfall as a category 4 storm, President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for the state of Florida. Franklin, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla counties are all covered by the declaration.

Those affected in Tampa Bay counties are eligible for the aid, which includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs.