More Than $100 Million in Disaster Relief Provided to Georgians in the Six Months Since Hurricane Irma

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia, March 14 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:

In the six months since Hurricane Irma made landfall in Georgia, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided $91,553,288 in disaster assistance to individuals and businesses in seven counties. An additional $12,959,519 has been provided to local, county and state entities for debris removal, emergency protective measures and infrastructure repair throughout the state.

The September presidential disaster declaration authorized assistance for individuals and households in Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Coffee, Glynn, Liberty and McIntosh counties.

"Through the strong partnership between the state of Georgia and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, residents and their communities are getting the help they need to recover and emerge stronger and more resilient," said Thomas McCool, federal coordinating officer for FEMA.

Georgia by-the-numbers:

* $13,425,946 in disaster assistance was provided to individuals, which includes

* $9,932,803 for temporary housing and repairs not covered by insurance and

* $3,493,143 for other needs such as medical bills, moving and storage expenses, and personal property.

* 1,480 individuals were housed in 19 official emergency shelters. Many additional shelters were opened in churches, schools and municipal facilities in central Georgia counties.

* 16,543 residences were surveyed by FEMA inspectors for damage.

* 5,903 visits were made by disaster survivors to eight Disaster Recovery Centers in South Georgia and along the coast.

* More than $24,000 in Disaster Unemployment Assistance was provided to eligible survivors.

* $60,502,242 was paid by the National Flood Insurance Program on 2,056 claims.

* $17,625,100 was approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration for 505 individual and business disaster loans.

Public Assistance Update:

* All 159 Georgia counties were designated for Public Assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures such as search and rescue, emergency evacuation and mass care.

* 137 of those counties were also approved for permanent work to restore facilities through repair or restoration of roads, bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, parks and recreation areas and other facilities.

* $6,992,088 has been obligated by FEMA for their 75 percent federal share.

A total of 457 applicants are eligible for Public Assistance, with 161 projects awarded to date.

* $5,967,431 has been obligated through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Many disaster-damaged structures will be more resilient than they were before Irma due to mitigation measures incorporated in their restoration. Additional grants may be awarded for projects currently in review or under development.

For more information about the disaster recovery operation, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4338 or the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/HS at www.gema.ga.gov.