WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | GA receives disaster attention for more counties
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By WTOC Staff
ATLANTA, GA (WTOC) - Georgia has received approval from FEMA to add three more 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 in a news release. "I want to thank Georgians for pulling together to help one another and FEMA for moving quickly and providing assistance."
People 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 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 in the state of Georgia for Individual Assistance now includes: Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker.
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 for the repair or replacement of damaged 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 in a news release. "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 serious damage across north Georgia.
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