Georgia Receives Presidential Disaster Declaration for Additional Counties

ATLANTA – President George W. Bush approved a Federal Disaster Declaration today for all nine counties that Governor Perdue requested aid for following the severe weather that hit southwest Georgia last Thursday. The Federal Disaster Declaration follows one issued for Sumter County on Sunday.

After receiving word about the Disaster Declaration, Governor Perdue made the following statement:

"I have just been notified by FEMA Director David Paulison's office that President Bush has now declared all nine counties in my original request for a disaster declaration eligible for financial assistance.

This means that Baker, Clay, Crawford, McDuffie, Mitchell, Muscogee, Stewart, Sumter and Taylor counties will all be able to receive federal funds to help offset the cost of the initial emergency response, debris removal and restoration of our communities.

The President has also designated that individual assistance be made available to disaster victims in five counties in addition to the original declaration for Sumter County. This list now includes Baker, Crawford, McDuffie, Mitchell, and Taylor counties. The other three – Clay, Muscogee and Stewart – are still under review.

I want to thank President Bush and FEMA Director David Paulison for responding so quickly to the needs of the victims and the communities in the affected areas."

For the counties receiving individual assistance, aid 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 also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Governor Perdue declared a state of emergency in Baker, Clay, Crawford, McDuffie, Mitchell, Muscogee, Stewart, Sumter and Taylor counties immediately after the storm struck. The state of emergency cleared the way for the deployment of state personnel and equipment and paved the way for the Presidential Declaration. Perdue made the request for a federal declaration after touring the area and reviewing preliminary damage assessment figures.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) is coordinating the state's response effort.

Agencies responding to the incident include GEMA, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Transportation, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner's Office, Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health, Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Department of Defense (National Guard), Public Service Commission, Georgia Mutual Aid Group, and the Central Georgia Search and Rescue Team. Representatives from the Georgia Baptist Disaster Services, the American Red Cross (ARC), the Salvation Army, and Seventh Day Adventists also are on hand to assist local communities. Many adjacent counties are providing essential mutual aid assistance.