Senator Reverend Warnock, Georgia Congressional Delegation Urge President Biden to Swiftly Approve Federal Disaster Declaration Request

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) joined U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Georgia's entire congressional delegation in urging swift approval of the state's request for a Major Federal Disaster Declaration, which would unlock key federal disaster funding for impacted families, businesses, and local governments following the devastation of Hurricane Helene.

After Georgia's Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) completed disaster assessments across the state, Governor Brian Kemp formally requested the President declare a major disaster in the State of Georgia.

Following the State of Georgia's formal request, Senators Warnock and Ossoff, Congressman Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (GA-01), Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Congressman Drew Ferguson (GA-03), Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), Congressman Rich McCormick (GA-06), Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-07), Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08), Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09), Congressman Mike Collins (GA-10), Congressman Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Congressman Rick Allen (GA-12), Congressman David Scott (GA-13), and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14) urged President Biden to quickly approve Georgia's request, which would provide a range of important federal assistance programs in the counties impacted by Hurricane Helene, including funds for both impacted individuals and public infrastructure.

"We write to convey full support for Governor Brian Kemp's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the counties in the State of Georgia significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene," Senator Warnock and Georgia's Congressional Delegation wrote to President Biden. "We encourage your team to promptly consider Governor Kemp's request for a major disaster declaration, and we stand ready to work with you and your Administration to support these critical recovery efforts in Georgia."

Governor Kemp has requested Public Assistance for the following Counties: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Baldwin, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bleckley, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Calhoun, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clay, Clayton, Clinch, Cobb, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Crisp, Decatur, DeKalb, Dodge, Dougherty, Douglas, Early, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Fayette, Fulton, Glascock, Glynn, Grady, Gwinnett, Hancock, Henry, Irwin, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Lee, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, McIntosh, Miller, Mitchell, Montgomery, Pierce, Pulaski, Putnam, Quitman, Randolph, Richmond, Rockdale, Screven, Seminole, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Turner, Twiggs, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wheeler, Wilcox, Wilkinson, and Worth.

Governor Kemp has also requested Individual Assistance for the following Counties: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Bryan, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Butts, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Glynn, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, McIntosh, Montgomery, Newton, Pierce, Rabun, Richmond, Tattnall, Telfair, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, and Wayne Counties.

The Governor also requested the President use his discretion under Section 403 and Section 407 of the Stafford Act to increase the Federal cost share of the eligible costs associated with Hurricane Helene.

Read the letter HERE.

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