ATLANTA - Georgia has received approval from the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) to include three additional counties for individual assistance and nine counties for public assistance in the recent federal disaster declaration.
”The response to the recent floods in this state is inspiring,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “I want to thank Georgians for pulling together to help one another and FEMA for moving quickly and providing assistance.”
Residents and business owners in Bartow, Coweta, and Heard counties are now eligible for Individual Assistance which includes funding 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 help cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance. The list of disaster declared counties for Individual Assistance now includes: Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker.
Those who sustained losses in these counties may apply 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 operate from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday.
Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cobb, Douglas, Gwinnett, Paulding, Stephens and Walker counties are also now eligible for Public Assistance. This assistance provides funding on a cost-sharing basis to local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for the repair or replacement of damaged roads, dams, bridges, water treatment facilities, publicly-owned utilities and other types of infrastructure.
The federal declaration for public assistance also means that affected counties can apply to be part of a Hazard Mitigation Grant program, which provides assistance to state and local governments and eligible private nonprofit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards.
”The quick response from FEMA has been key to the state’s recovery efforts,” said Director Charley English of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. “We will continue to work with federal officials to get help to additional areas struck by floodwaters.”
Governor Perdue made the request for a federal declaration after reviewing preliminary damage assessments across North Georgia earlier this week.
