Governor Sonny Perdue on Wednesday requested that President George Bush declare Cherokee County a major disaster area.
Perdue says such a declaration will assist residents and local governments with emergency response measures and aid for losses from the severe weather and tornadoes on May 20, according to a statement from the Governor's Office:
“This is the third tornado event this spring that has disrupted the lives of our citizens and devastated one of our communities,” Perdue said.
“I am hopeful that our federal partners will recognize the extent of this damage and will render the appropriate assistance to help the residents of Cherokee County recover in the aftermath of this severe weather.”
Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) officials estimate initial governmental response and clean up efforts will exceed $2.9 million, the statement said.
Click here for more GPB News coverage of the storms and tornadoes that have repeatedly struck the state in recent weeks.
