Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA) joined Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Georgia’s entire congressional delegation today in a letter urging swift approval of Georgia’s request for a Major Federal Disaster Declaration, which would unlock key federal disaster funding for families, businesses, and local governments impacted by Hurricane Helene.

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.

The Georgia congressional delegation is urging 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.

The members 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.”

The members continue, “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.

Click here to read the Delegation’s letter.