Governor Deal: White House approves request for federal assistance in SW GA

October 15, 2018

Gov. Nathan Deal received notice from the White House that Georgia’s request for federal aid has been approved, including individual assistance for six counties impacted by Hurricane Michael. Thirty-one counties have been approved for public assistance. Deal made the request for federal assistance on Friday, Oct. 12, and the request was granted on Sunday, Oct. 14.

“On behalf of Georgians, I’m tremendously grateful for the immediate attention and extremely quick assistance President Trump and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have given Georgia’s requests for federal aid, as well as the president’s concern for our citizens,” said Deal. “I look forward to welcoming President Trump to Georgia this afternoon as federal, state and local partners continue our efforts to work together and rebuild communities devastated by Hurricane Michael. This declaration will provide much-needed assistance in the most heavily impacted areas to help families and businesses recover as quickly as possible. I am also encouraged by the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in response and recovery efforts, including emergency management officials, first responders, recovery teams, law enforcement and citizens helping their neighbors.”

Individual assistance makes funding available to individuals and households in the six following counties: Baker, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Miller and Seminole counties.

FEMA and the Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency are continuing to conduct individual assistance assessments in other counties, and the president may add additional counties for designation based upon the assessments. Individual assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the hurricane.

Public assistance includes assistance for emergency work and debris removal. The 31 counties approved for public assistance include: Baker, Bleckley, Burke, Calhoun, Colquitt, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Emanuel, Grady, Houston, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, Lee, Macon, Miller, Mitchell, Pulaski, Seminole, Sumter, Terrell, Thomas, Treutlen, Turner, Wilcox and Worth counties.

All counties in Georgia are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance online here 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 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

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