Two More Counties Eligible For Disaster Assistance

Residents in another two Georgia counties are now eligible for federal assistance in the wake of severe weather that struck parts of Georgia early this spring. Baker and Early counties are now part of a group of nearly 60 state counties under a federal disaster declaration. Those with homes and businesses damaged from violent storms and flooding from late March to mid-April can apply for assistance. Residents can call 1-800-621-3362 for more information.

USDA grants Perdue disaster request

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted Governor Sonny Perdue’s request for a primary disaster designation for 158 counties.

The designation, sent in response to a request submitted in November, was based on production losses due to drought and excessive temperatures, according to a statement from the Governor's Office.

Perdue commented on the request, saying:

“Georgia’s farmers have sustained significant economic losses due to the dry conditions in Georgia, and I’m pleased that financial relief will now be available to them.”

USDA declared 146 of Georgia’s 159 counties as primary natural disaster areas and 12 more as contiguous disaster areas. The only one of Georgia’s counties not covered by the primary or contiguous designation is McIntosh.

The 12 counties not included in the primary designation will continue to be evaluated as more assessment reports and determinations of losses are completed by the USDA. The 12 counties are: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Bulloch, Camden, Coffee, Glynn, Liberty, Long, Terrell, Ware, and Wayne, according to the statement.

For more information: www.fsa.usda.gov.

FEMA to close some state disaster centers

Seven disaster recovery centers set-up by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the wake of recent spring tornadoes will be closing this weekend. Centers closing include in Darien, Dublin and Dry Branch. Those in Macon, Wrightsville and Carrollton will remain open for the time being. Residents in 10 affected counties can still apply for federal help until July 22nd to get assistance with things like temporary housing and home repairs.

Federal tornado-disaster aid approved

More than $600,000 in federal disaster aid has been approved for state residents affected by tornadoes that ripped through the state Mother’s Day weekend.

Federal officials say over 3-thousand victims of the storms have filed for various forms of assistance. The storms of May 11th and 12th killed 3 people, and caused more than 125-million dollars in damage.

Governor Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency in 13 counties.