Adel - The federal government has approved an emergency request for federal aid for the first of a wave of storms that devastated vast parts of south Georgia, according to Gov. Nathan Deal.
Deal said in a tweet Wednesday that he thanked President Donald Trump after the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved the state's request for aid and individual assistance for the Jan. 2 tornado that struck Albany, leaving behind $50 million in damage.
FEMA's decision frees up more funding and resources for the storm-ravaged area, and it comes after south Georgia officials and residents implored the federal government for more help with the recovery from that storm and another wave over the weekend that killed 15 in Georgia and five more across the region.
Deal's office sent the tweet as he toured storm-damaged areas in Albany and Adel. He said he's confident that a second request to FEMA for damage from the deadly storm that struck over the weekend "will be granted and approved very quickly.”
Meanwhile, Georgia lawmakers on Tuesday shifted $5 million in additional cash to Deal's emergency fund and the governor has declared 16 counties in a state of emergency. More than 250 state employees are working to clear debris, provide shelter and disaster relief.
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