President OKs disaster declaration
Deal, delegation requested aid for 16 counties hit hardest by storm
Gov. Nathan Deal announced today that President Obama approved a federal disaster
declaration for 16 counties devastated by severe storms, tornadoes, straight‐line winds and
associated flooding on April 27‐28. The storms killed 15 people and hundreds of homes and
businesses were damaged.
"We appreciate the prompt response by President Obama and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate
as we begin the arduous process of recovery," said Deal. "Georgia’s entire congressional
delegation jumped into gear on the federal level to seek aid for their constituents, and their
diligence has paid off. This assistance will be of great help to the survivors who are reclaiming
their lives."
The counties eligible to receive individual assistance include: Bartow, Catoosa, Dade, Floyd, Polk,
Spalding and Walker. Residents and business owners in these counties 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 tollfree
telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Individual
assistance 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.
The president also has designated that local governments and certain private nonprofit
organizations in Bartow, Catoosa, Coweta, Dade, Floyd, Greene, Lamar, Meriwether, Monroe,
Morgan, Pickens, Polk, Rabun, Spalding, Troup, and Walker counties are eligible to receive
federal funds to help offset 75 percent of the cost of debris removal and emergency protective
measures.
This disaster declaration also makes all counties in Georgia eligible to apply for assistance under
the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides assistance to state and local governments
and certain private nonprofit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long‐term risk
to life and property from natural hazards.
