Biden approves disaster declaration for Georgia after deadly tornadoes
TROUP COUNTY, Ga. - President Joe Biden has declared parts of Georgia hit by last week's tornadoes major disaster areas.
The counties included in the declaration are Butts, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Spalding, and Troup.
The new declaration makes federal funding available to individuals affected by the powerful line of storms that moved through the state last Thursday, which caused flooding, severe winds, and multiple tornadoes.
The assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover property losses that were uninsured, and other programs to help recovery.
People needing help can call 1-800-621-FEMA to start the process. There's also a website and the FEMA app.
FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik A. Hooks will travel to Spalding County on Wednesday, one of the hardest his with a total of five tornadoes confirmed to have touched down last Thursday. At least one of those tornadoes reached an EF-3 strength.
SPALDING COUNTY COMES TOGETHER TO HELP AFTER STRONG TORNADOES TEAR THROUGH COMMUNITY
The storms destroyed 60% of the electric service in Griffin as a result. About 150 power workers have flooded the area to help restore services.
More than 1.5 million cubic yards of debris was left behind in the wake of the tornado and more than 360 volunteers have registered to help, with many more just rolling up their sleeves, in an effort to clear it all.
The sheriff is reminding residents that a report does not need to be filed with law enforcement for a claim to be made to an insurance company.
FAMILY TRIES TO MOVE FORWARD AFTER GRIFFIN HOME DESTROYED BY TORNADO
The Griffin-Spalding County School District has suspended classes until at least Thursday.
LaGrange is also working to recover after seeing two EF-2 tornadoes. Over the weekend, the city handed out tools and other items to help pick up debris.
The police department also set up a GoFundMe to help raise money for those who were the hardest hit there by the tornadoes.
Troup County is asking those who cannot burn off or dispose of unwanted vegetation debris and yard waste to take them to the C&D Landfill located at 174 Parmer Road. The hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will also be open Jan. 14 from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Jan 21 and 28 from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Also along the same track of these storms as Locust Grove where an EF-1 tornado tore through a mobile home park.
FAMILY SETS UP ONLINE FUNDRAISER AFTER 5-YEAR-OLD BOY KILLED BY TREE IN BUTTS COUNTY
Only two reported deaths have been attributed to the tornado outbreak. A Georgia Department of Transportation road worker was killed while trying to clear a roadway of fallen tree and a 5-year-old boy was killed when a tree fell on the car in which he was rising.
The Red Cross has set up several shelter locations in those communities.
Earlier on the weekend, Biden declared several Alabama counties major disaster areas.