Press Releases

U.S. Representative Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA-01), along with Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and David Perdue (R-GA) and Representatives Drew Ferguson (R-GA-03), Austin Scott (R-GA-08) and Rick Allen (R-GA-12), today requested expedited emergency declaration approval for the State of Georgia. 

Yesterday, Governor Nathan Deal submitted a request for an emergency declaration for the State of Georgia ahead of Hurricane Irma beginning on September 7, 2017, and continuing. The Governor specifically requested debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program for Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glynn, Jenkins, Jeff Davis, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, Screven, Tattnall, Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne, and Ware Counties.

Today, Carter, Isakson, Perdue, Ferguson, Scott, and Allen asked President Donald J. Trump to expedite approval of the emergency declaration.

In a letter to President Trump, the delegation wrote, "Hurricane Matthew, in October 2016, brought devastating destruction and hurricane conditions not seen in Georgia for decades, with storm surge of up to 8 feet, winds exceeding 90 miles an hour, over 17 inches of rain over portions of the state, and, tragically, 4 Georgians lost their lives.  Now, in 2017, Hurricane Irma has the potential to be even more devastating, endangering Georgians and creating an even stronger need to approve Governor Deal’s request for an emergency declaration.   

"With the expected destruction of Hurricane Irma and ongoing recovery efforts happening in Texas and other states, we believe this storm warrants expedited consideration for an emergency declaration.  Hurricane Irma has already maintained a Category 5 size for 2 entire days and will remain at a high level during its impact on the eastern U.S. coastline.  The storm has already caused widespread devastation in the Caribbean and is tracking towards Florida and the eastern seaboard.   

"In Georgia, we want to take all necessary measures to mitigate the potential destruction of Hurricane Irma and to aid in the recovery and rebuilding process.  We cannot afford to have a repeat of Hurricane Matthew when families and businesses were forced to wait for assistance from the federal government."