The Tennessee General Assembly on Wednesday approved a disaster relief package for communities in northeastern Tennessee, who are still recovering from the devastating floods that Hurricane Helen was born.

Package includes $110 million Assistance to local governments Over the next three years, to meet collection costs and interest payments on loans taken to establish $100 million Disaster Response Program Due to Helen’s recovery and future state emergency. It also includes property tax easing in 2024 for affected residents.

The package is currently facing Bill Lee’s desk.

Nevertheless, the effort was approved with bipartisan support in a few days of special sessions, but despite this, the governor would not be able to provide more relief than the affected communities and sooner. It drew sharp criticism from some Democrats who said they were angry at not taking steps to do so.

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Democrats also accused Lee and Republican lawmakers of squeezing the arms of lawmakers in northeastern Tennessee.

Helen unleashed deadly flash floods from September 24th, killing at least 17 people, missing or destroying hundreds of homes, businesses, roads and bridges, and damaging electricity and water infrastructure .

The worst of the damage was in Washington, Carter, Unicoy, Johnson, Green and Cock counties, but spread to large stripes in East Tennessee. Jimmy Irwin, Director of Emergency Management, Unicoy County He told local TV station wcyb County and community groups still distribute food and propane supplies to affected families on Wednesday.

“North Carolina helped people in 11 days. 11 days,” said Rep. Beau Mitchell, a Democrat, a Nashville Democrat, who offered an amendment that would provide a $10,000 grant to 5,000 affected homeowners. He spoke. The revision was voted.

“We’re not nearing the first package North Carolina had in 120 days,” Mitchell said. “I don’t know why we waited so long.”

Rep. Timothy Hill, a Republican who represents a flood-damaged area in Sullivan County, retorted that the law “does exactly what we need right now.”

“You can focus on how long it takes to get here. You can focus on what’s aside, but the bottom line is where our people need help That’s what I’m doing,” Hill said. “This is an incredible first step. We believe that more bills and more funds will come in a regular session, but this is where we need to start.”