Fay declaration doesn't help many

Residents flooded by rains from Tropical Storm Fay aren't eligible for individual aid under a state emergency declared last week.

Approximately 300 Georgia homes were either flooded by rains or damaged by wind from Tropical Storm Fay, but under the emergency declared last week, none of the residents are eligible for individual aid. Governor Sonny Perdue issued the declaration to aid local governments in repairing roads and other facilities.

Kandice Eldon of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency says, the situation is unfortunate. "This is strictly for state assets," Eldon says. "Now, if there was a storm of a larger magnitude, then you're looking at maybe a federally-declared disaster. But this was not the case."

Many of those flooded did not have insurance and some lost their homes entirely. The road to recovery for them could be long and difficult. Eldon says, affected residents should call local emergency agencies for advice.