Deal: Federal aid is coming soon for victims of South Georgia storms
Gov. Nathan Deal said he expects the federal government to soon sign off on a request for assistance for the wave of storms that killed at least 15 people in south Georgia and four more across the region.
Deal said Tuesday he received word from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that it has completed a round of assessments for the first spate of storms that struck the Albany area earlier this month, “and we have every reason to expect the second request will be granted and approved very quickly.”
South Georgia officials and residents implored the federal government for more help after the deadly storms that struck over the weekend.
Dougherty County officials said they felt abandoned by FEMA after a Jan. 2 tornado that left $50 million in damage. Sunday's storms, which left four in the county dead, was a devastating double-whammy.
Deal, who is set to visit the storm-damaged areas on Wednesday, said he's confident President Donald Trump and his administration would respond. For good measure, his office said he asked the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, to expedite the disaster declaration.
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.
About the Author
Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution's chief political reporter. He is also an author, TV analyst and co-host of the Politically Georgia podcast.
