Perdue asks Obama to declare state of emergency

By Kristi E. Swartz

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Gov. Sonny Perdue on Tuesday asked President Obama to declare a state of emergency in the wake of near-record flooding in the state.

Perdue said this week's flood levels may match or exceed levels recorded on Jan. 9, 1946, the established record.

The governor said he hopes for a decision by the end of Tuesday and is expecting "some level of federal reimbursement." He said the state "will do everything in its power physically and fiscally to help flood victims.

Obama is in New York at an annual United Nations General Assembly meeting. Perdue said he has been in touch with the president's staff by e-mail.

"With the lives lost and the expenses our local governments will face, I think it is worthy of a declaration," Perdue said.

Perdue, who spent the morning flying over parts of the state in a helicopter, begged residents to stay away from their neighborhoods and homes if they were flooded out.

"I know it's a huge temptation for people wanted to get back into their homes and into their neighborhoods, but please be patient," he said, saying that rescue workers have spent too much time helping people who "very foolishly drove through rushing water."

"You don't know what's under there, you don't even know if you are on the road," he said. "We're no match for the force that the water has put upon us."

Perdue said workers have had to make more rescues today than on Monday as more people are attempting to get back in their homes.

Perdue on Monday declared a state of emergency in 17 counties but said he may add to that list today. He compared this week's heavy rain and flooding to 1994 when Tropical Storm Alberto hovered over Georgia.

"Water is an awesome force," he said.