GA Delegation Requests Expedited Emergency Declaration Approval for Counties in Georgia

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 -- Rep. Rick Allen, R-Georgia, issued the following news release:

Late yesterday, all sixteen Members of the Georgia Congressional Delegation sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting expedited emergency resources to aid counties in Georgia expected to be impacted by Hurricane Michael. Earlier this morning, Hurricane Michael was upgraded to a Category 4 storm and is expected to bring damaging winds, rain, and flooding throughout the Southeast.

Yesterday, based on the latest forecast for Hurricane Michael and acting on a recommendation from Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) officials, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal issued an emergency declaration for 92 Georgia counties, making all state resources available to local governments and entities within the impacted area of the hurricane.

"We write in full support of Governor Nathan Deal's request for an emergency declaration for the state of Georgia in anticipation of Hurricane Michael," wrote the Members. "As the current projections indicate, this major hurricane will significantly impact Georgia communities, and we urge you to approve requests to ensure that full federal resources are made available for counties currently under the declaration and those that may be determined to be in need of emergency federal assistance in the coming days."

Below is the full text of the letter:

October 09, 2018

President Donald J. Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

"We write in full support of Governor Nathan Deal's request for an emergency declaration for the state of Georgia in anticipation of Hurricane Michael. As the current projections indicate, this major hurricane will significantly impact Georgia communities, and we urge you to approve requests to ensure that full federal resources are made available for counties currently under the declaration and those that may be determined to be in need of emergency federal assistance in the coming days.

Hurricane Michael has been classified as a Category 3 hurricane and will cause incredible devastation to portions of the Gulf Coast of the United States. Given the potential catastrophic impact that this hurricane may have on Georgia, the state and federal government must work together in order to help reduce the potential loss of life and destruction of property. As we recently witnessed with Hurricane Florence in North Carolina and South Carolina, preparation and up-front resources are paramount in mitigating the impacts of the storm and providing quick response in its aftermath.

We thank you for your support and ask for your continued support and assistance in providing the resources necessary to ensure the safety of Georgians.

Sincerely,

Senator Johnny Isakson

Senator David Perdue

Representative Earl L. 'Buddy' Carter

Representative Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.

Representative A. Drew Ferguson, IV DMD

Representative Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr.

Representative John Lewis

Representative Karen Handel

Representative Rob Woodall

Representative Austin Scott

Representative Doug Collins

Representative Jody Hice

Representative Barry Loudermilk

Representative Rick W. Allen

Representative David Scott

Representative Tom Graves