More than 2,000 seek disaster aid

Feb. 04--VALDOSTA -- More than 2,000 people have registered for federal disaster aid in the wake of deadly tornadoes that hit South Georgia in late January, a federal official said Friday.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $1.25 million in aid for applicants from Berrien, Cook, Crisp, Dougherty and Wilcox counties, said Cheria Brown, FEMA spokeswoman.

Several tornadoes hit South Georgia in the predawn hours Jan. 22, including one that tore through Brooks, Cook and Berrien counties. The twister flattened a trailer park in Cook County, killing seven, and killed two each in Berrien and Brooks.

In all, 15 people were killed by tornadoes that day.

Residents of storm-blasted counties have until late March to register for FEMA assistance, Brown said. Help includes grants for temporary housing, rental assistance and home repairs and medical expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration may also be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance.

There are several ways to register for aid:

--Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362);

--Online: www.disasterassistance.gov or m.fema.gov from a smartphone;

--Visiting a FEMA disaster recovery center. In Cook County, the center is at the Cook County Administration Building, 1200 South Hutchinson Ave., Adel, Ga., 31620. It is open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays. FEMA has set up other disaster centers in Albany and Ashburn.

Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times.

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