Valdosta Flooding Update

People in Valdosta are waiting for the water to recede so they can begin the clean up after a devastating flood.
Longtime residents say they've never seen the Withalacoochee this high. The river rose after more than a foot of rain fell in South Georgia last week.
Governor Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency in several counties, but further state and federal assistance cannot come until damage assessments are completed. Paige Dukes is with Lowndes County. She says the water is receding in some places, but not everywhere.

"We have hundreds of homes that have water in them. Some of the water is up to the eaves of the houses. Georgia Emergency management is here and we're starting the damage assessment process."

Dukes says the county will not be eligible for help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency until those assessments are completed. She says a significant number of the victims do not have flood insurance.

Audit: technology hampers first responders

Communication between emergency responders during a disaster could be hampered by incompatible technology. That's unless upgrades are made to the system, according to state auditors. The state’s department of Department of Audits and Accounts concluded that while more than 100-million dollars is devoted to first responders, it seems the agencies aren’t really talking to one another.

In addition to regional police and fire agencies, there are statewide organizations, including GEMA and the Georgia State Patrol, operating with different communications networks. Some equipment is old and out dated. Some agencies use cell phones, and walkie-talkies while others use radios.

But, citing the lessons learned on 9/11 when New York fire and police were unable to communicate because each uses a different radio frequency, the audit suggests a single agency coordinate emergency efforts.

One suggestion is to let Georgia Emergency Management Agency act as the central clearing house. However, the audit cites a response from the Georgia State Patrol, which believes that it best [positioned to develop the state’s so called inter operability efforts.