Ga. Releases $3 Million For Local Storm Response

Gov. Sonny Perdue released $3 million from the state’s emergency discretionary fund to cover past and future expenses incurred by local governments in responding to last week’s severe weather.

Preliminary estimates indicate that as much as $11 million will be needed to match federal disaster assistance funds. Without state assistance, local governments would have had to bear the cost of the local match.

Perdue will request that the legislature appropriate additional funds to make up the difference between the emergency fund and the amount needed for the total local match.

“I am very pleased with the way Georgians responded to last week’s emergency needs,” Perdue said. “These communities are beginning the rebuilding process, and we are giving them a helping hand by providing the funds needed to match the federal assistance.”

After the storm hit Georgia, Perdue surveyed the damage and issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in Baker, Clay, Crawford, McDuffie, Mitchell, Muscogee, Steward, Sumter and Taylor counties. The executive order allowed state resources to be available for response and recovery activities, and allowed the Georgia Emergency Management Agency to activate the state’s Emergency Operations Plan.

Following the state’s disaster declaration, Perdue asked President George Bush for an expedited Federal Disaster Declaration. Bush toured the region with the Governor and issued the declaration bringing federal aid to the state.

Source: Office of the Governor of Georgia