Governor Perdue Requests Presidential Emergency Declaration

ATLANTA - Governor Sonny Perdue today announced that he has asked President Obama for an emergency declaration to assist the 17 Georgia counties with recovery efforts due to flooding and severe weather on Sunday, September 20 and Monday, September 21, 2009.  If approved, this declaration will provide federal funds for emergency response measures and aid for losses. 

"I am confident President Obama will recognize the extensive damage these floods have caused on such a large metro area," said Governor Perdue. "This request for disaster funding is essential for the recovery and rebuilding process to begin for these Georgians, local governments and businesses."

Governor Perdue also issued an Executive Order yesterday declaring a state of emergency in 17 counties affected by heavy rain and severe weather that have passed through Georgia since September 18, 2009. The counties are: Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker counties.

Several Georgia creeks and rivers, swollen by continuous rainfall have overtopped their banks, and at least seven people have lost their lives to the flood waters. More than 30,000 residences in metro Atlanta are without power and more than 1,000 residences are estimated to be seriously flooded as indicated by aerial surveillance and 911 calls for help.

For more emergency information, visit GEMA's Web site at www.gema.ga.gov. To learn how to prepare for disaster, visit www.ready.ga.gov. For more information on federal assistance programs please go to www.fema.gov/