Presidential Disaster Declaration for Georgia Issued

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today announced that President Obama has issued a Federal Disaster Declaration for individual assistance to aid residents of Carroll, Cobb, Paulding, Douglas and Cherokee counties with recovery efforts in the wake of flooding that hit Georgia earlier this week. The portion of Governor Perdue’s request covering other counties and aid to governments that sustained damage to buildings and public costs due to the storms is still pending.

“The recovery is just now beginning,” said Governor Perdue. “We have a great deal of work to do and I appreciate President Obama’s approval of the disaster declaration. We will continue to work closely with FEMA as damage assessments continue and further assistance becomes available.”

The federal declaration covers individual assistance and can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration will also be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) is coordinating the state's response effort. “We are coordinating the recovery effort with our local, state, federal and volunteer partners,” said GEMA Director Charley English. “Damage assessment teams are continuing to work with local authorities in all affected areas of the state to assess losses.”

Governor Perdue declared a state of emergency in 17 Georgia counties on Monday. The state of emergency cleared the way for the massive deployment of state personnel and equipment and paved the way for the Presidential Declaration. The Governor announced the federal declaration request on Tuesday after an aerial tour of the damaged areas.

Residents and business owners in the four counties declared by the President as a major disaster area who sustained losses can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday.

GEMA is the lead state agency for coordination of emergency and disaster response activities. For more emergency information and updates, visit www.gema.ga.gov.