Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $234 million in payments to agricultural producers in the Southeastern U.S. for wind losses through the Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) endorsement for Hurricane Helene. The payments will be distributed to farmers in over 200 counties across six states, based on wind index endorsements in the producer’s crop insurance.

No claims are needed for the payments. Crop insurance companies were expected to distribute within 30 days. These payments are in addition to indemnities due from other underlying insurance coverage.

The USDA reports Georgia will receive the majority of indemnities at $207.7 million. The USDA listed 144 counties in Georgia eligible for these payments. Florida will receive $12.8 million; Alabama will get $5 million; North Carolina will take in $4.1 million, South Carolina was allocated $4.1 million and Virginia will get $61,000.

Read more on Hurricane Helene wind loss payments here.