Congresswoman Nikema Williams Joins Georgia’s Congressional Delegation Urging Swift Approval of State’s Federal Disaster Declaration Request

Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) and Georgia’s entire Congressional Delegation today urged swift approval of Georgia’s request for a Major Federal Disaster Declaration, which would unlock key Federal disaster funding for impacted families, businesses, and local governments.

Today, 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, Congresswoman Williams along with Sen. Ossoff, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock, Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01), Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Congressman Drew Ferguson (GA-03), Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), 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 the State of 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,” 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 recover 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.

Click here to read the Delegation’s letter.