Rep. Loudermilk Joins Georgia's Congressional Delegation Urging Swift Approval of State's Federal Disaster Declaration Request

Washington D.C. (September 30, 2024) | This week, Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), joined Georgia's entire Congressional Delegation in a letter to President Biden urging swift approval of Georgia's request for a Major Federal Disaster Declaration, which would unlock key federal disaster relief funding for impacted families, businesses, and local governments from Hurricane Helene.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp formally requested President Biden declare a major disaster in the state of Georgia following Georgia's Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) completed disaster assessment across the state. Following the state of Georgia's formal request, Georgia's entire Congressional Delegation including U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Reps. Buddy Carter (GA-1), Sanford Bishop (GA-2), Drew Ferguson (GA-3), Hank Johnson (GA-4), Nikema Williams (GA-5), Rich McCormick (GA-6), Lucy McBath (GA-7), Austin Scott (GA-8), Andrew Clyde (GA-9), Mike Collins (GA-10), Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Rick Allen (GA-12), David Scott (GA-13), and Majorie Taylor Greene (GA-14) urged President Biden to quickly approve Georgia's request, which would provide a range of critical federal assistance programs to counties impacted by the hurricane, including 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," Georgia's entire Congressional Delegation wrote. "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 recover efforts in Georgia."

Governor Kemp 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 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.

Lastly, Governor Kemp requested President Biden 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.

President Biden approved Georgia's Major Federal Disaster Declaration on September 30th.

Click here to read the full Georgia Delegation's letter.