Dougherty, five other counties OK’d for federal assistance for last weekend’s storms

Jan. 27--ALBANY -- Dougherty County and five other counties in South Georgia were approved Thursday for individual federal assistance for damages sustained by last weekend's tornadoes and storms that left 15 people dead, including four in Dougherty County.

Gov. Nathan Deal announced that the White House and the Federal Emergency Management Agency had approved the assistance for Dougherty, Berrien, Cook, Crisp, Turner and Wilcox counties.

"I'm tremendously grateful for the immediate assistance and attention President Trump has given Georgia's requests for federal aid, as well as his concern for our citizens," said Deal. "I'd also like to thank President Trump for sending the acting director of FEMA to view firsthand the horrific effects of this natural disaster.

"FEMA, along with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, is working to expedite financial assessments in the remaining counties impacted by the storms."

Acting FEMA Director Robert Fenton was in Albany on Thursday, viewing damage with Dougherty County Commission Chairman Chris Cohilas.

Deal declared a state of emergency earlier this week for a total of 16 counties and has asked for the federal designation for all of them. The remainder of that list includes Atkinson, Baker, Brooks, Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Lowndes, Mitchell, Thomas and Worth counties.

"Following my conversations with President Trump and FEMA, I'm confident that public assistance for all 16 counties will be approved expeditiously," the governor said. "This approval is critical to the state as well as local communities."

After an aerial tour of the Albany area on Wednesday, Deal announced on Twitter during a driving tour of Cook County that Dougherty County had been approved for individual assistance for damage that occurred during the first storm to strike the area on Jan. 2. The governor asked for the federal help for that event on Jan. 10.

The federal approval was much swifter on this latest request, which Deal made Tuesday.

U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, who represents the 2nd Congressional District where much of the damage occurred, said he was pleased to see the second declaration in as many days.

"This second, expanded major disaster declaration will be essential to providing much-needed resources to those in Middle and Southwest Georgia that were impacted by the severe weather this month," Bishop said. "Georgians have always proven to be resilient, and this time will be no different.

"With FEMA's assistance, we will work together to restore a sense of normalcy to our communities."

Bishop said the designation provides federal resources for affected individuals and households, including financial assistance for temporary housing, home repair and damaged essential household items. It also covers disaster-related child care, medical and essential vehicle expenses.

According to the summary provided by the governor's office, the individual assistance designation means that help is available to individuals and households.

FEMA's website notes that assistance that can apply includes:

-- Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested, based on a review of individual applicant requirements.

-- Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional.

-- Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.

John Mills, external affairs representative for FEMA, said Thursday afternoon that it is important for those who have damages to register.

"If you live in one of the six counties and you have damage to your home (whether homeowner or renter), you should register with FEMA for assistance," he said. "Only one registration is needed per household."

The process takes 15-20 minutes and can be done online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1 (800) 621-3362 (FEMA), he said.

The FEMA help is for costs that are not covered by insurance and those that are underinsured. Mills said the only way a person will know whether he or she qualifies for assistance is to sign up. He said it's also important for individuals to let agency officials know if the residence is uninhabitable during registration. The mission, he said, is to help get a storm victim's home "safe, sanitary and functional."

Mills said it is important that individuals document damage, when it occurred and to take photos of the damage if possible. "The more documentation you have, the better," he said, adding it helps not only FEMA, but insurance companies covering claims.

FEMA has other programs as well for public assistance, but they have not been activated.

"The real focus is getting help for individuals," Mills said. "Local governments can start the work they need to do."

Public assistance for emergency work and repair/replacement of disaster-damaged facilities is under review.

Counties also are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant program for assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural disasters.

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