U.S. Representative Drew Ferguson (GA-03), U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) today announced that a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Georgia has been granted, triggering the release of critical federal funds that will be used to help communities affected by the severe storms and tornadoes of March 25 and 26 recover. The extreme weather event deeply damaged or destroyed approximately 200 homes, as well as schools and businesses, across eight Georgia counties, including in the Newnan area. The declaration announcement follows the lawmakers’ bipartisan, bicameral letter supporting the state’s request to the administration for a major disaster declaration to aid the impacted counties.
“I’m pleased that President Biden has responded to Governor Kemp’s request to issue a major disaster declaration for the Georgia counties affected by the devastating tornado that hit our community in March,” Congressman Ferguson said. “This federal support won’t undo the damage done, but it will help people and businesses rebuild and get back on their feet. The community effort to reach out and help one another in the wake of this severe destruction has been inspiring, and I’m hopeful these federal resources will go a long way toward assisting Georgians in need.”
“Families in Newnan and across the eight counties that were impacted by those awful storms in March have waited weeks for substantive help from their federal government, and I’m glad I was able to work with Senator Ossoff and Congressman Ferguson to push the Administration to make this happen. Help is finally on the way, and I’m going to keep working to make sure the federal government stays at the table and does its part to help Georgians recover from this disaster,” Senator Reverend Warnock said.
"After surveying the tornado damage in Newnan and Coweta County, it was clear to Senator Rev. Warnock and me that a Major Disaster Declaration was necessary. We conveyed that need to the White House and FEMA, and I am grateful to President Biden for sending this help to Georgia,” Senator Ossoff said.
Following the EF-4 tornado event in March, assessment teams comprised of local, state and federal emergency management officials verified more than $28 million in damage resulting from the severe storms and tornadoes. The major disaster declaration, and subsequent federal funding, will help residents in Coweta County and across the affected area will continue to recover and rebuild their communities. This Major Disaster Declaration includes funding for Public Assistance (PA) for the eight impacted counties, as well as funding from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) that’s available to the entire state. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), PA is the agency’s largest grant program and provides emergency funding for activities like debris removal to help save lives and property, as well as funding to permanently restore community infrastructure that’s been damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster. Additionally, the HMGP provides funding to states, territories, federally-recognized Tribes and local communities to help them reduce and eliminate future risks from natural disasters, and implement key mitigation measures during the recovery following a major disaster.
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