Today, Senator Reverend Warnock sent a letter to President Biden in support of the State of Georgia’s request for Individual Assistance for Chattooga County following severe flooding in September

Major flash flooding occurred in Chattooga County beginning in the early morning hours of September 4, 2022 and continued into the afternoon of September 5, 2022 —rainfall totaled 14 inches in parts of Chattooga County, causing extensive damages to Summerville businesses and homes

Senator Reverend Warnock: “Due to the extensive damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure caused by the flash flooding, many residents are without the financial means to absorb the costs of repairs. As a result, Chattooga County, and specifically the City of Summerville, requires immediate federal assistance to help rebuild”

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) sent a letter to President Biden in support of the State of Georgia’s request for a major disaster declaration and Individual Assistance for Chattooga County following severe flooding in September. Flash flooding occurred in Chattooga County beginning in the early morning hours of September 4, 2022 and continued into the afternoon of September 5, 2022. Over the duration of the flooding, rainfall totaled 14 inches in parts of Chattooga County, causing extensive damages to Summerville businesses and homes. Based on the damage assessments, the State of Georgia has requested a major disaster declaration for the area, as well as Individual Assistance from FEMA for the residents of Chattooga County. 

“This damage assessment indicates that additional aid is required for the residents of Chattooga County. Over 21 percent of residents live below the federal poverty line, and only 0.2 percent of households inundated by flooding have flood insurance. Due to the extensive damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure caused by the flash flooding, many residents are without the financial means to absorb the costs of repairs. As a result, Chattooga County, and specifically the City of Summerville, requires immediate federal assistance to help rebuild,” wrote Senator Reverend Warnock.

“Based on the severity of flooding and extensive need in Chattooga County, Individual Assistance through FEMA is necessary. I strongly support the state’s request for a major disaster declaration, and I thank you for prompt consideration. I stand ready to work with you and your Administration to support these critical recovery efforts in Georgia,” concluded Senator Reverend Warnock. 

Senator Warnock is a stalwart advocate for those impacted by natural disasters. He recently co-sponsored the Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act, legislation to help communities affected by major natural disasters access housing assistance. Following the devastating 2021 storms in Newnan, the Senator visited the community to survey damages and called for a federal disaster declaration. Senator Warnock also pushed local insurance providers to support the region’s recovery process and to provide more staff and resources towards helping residents navigate the complicated and confusing insurance claim process. He also urged FEMA to support the City of Newnan’s request for Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) assistance after returning to Newnan a year after the destructive tornado. Additionally, last September, Senator Warnock introduced bipartisan legislation to help America’s forest landowners recover from timber losses after a natural disaster.

See here and below for text of the letter:

I write in support of the State of Georgia’s request that you issue a major disaster declaration as a result of severe flash flooding in Chattooga County, Georgia beginning on September 4, 2022. According to state officials, the disaster is of “such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and affected local governments and that Federal assistance is necessary to supplement the efforts and available resources of the State.” 

At approximately 5:00 A.M. on September 4, 2022, the National Weather Service issued Flash Flood Warnings for Chattooga County. By 10:00 A.M. that day, the Flash Flood Warning was upgraded to a Flash Flood Emergency for multiple municipalities within Chattooga County. The following day, September 5, 2022, a thunderstorm moved across the area with rainfall causing additional damages to businesses and homes in Summerville. Over the duration of this flooding event, rainfall totaled 14 inches in parts of Chattooga County.

On September 4, 2022, Governor Kemp declared a State of Emergency, allowing Georgia to take proactive measures to save lives and coordinate response efforts. In addition, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) requested support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct an Individual Assistance (IA) joint preliminary damage assessment.

This damage assessment indicates that additional aid is required for the residents of Chattooga County. Over 21 percent of residents live below the federal poverty line, and only 0.2 percent of households inundated by flooding have flood insurance. Due to the extensive damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure caused by the flash flooding, many residents are without the financial means to absorb the costs of repairs. As a result, Chattooga County, and specifically the City of Summerville, requires immediate federal assistance to help rebuild.

Based on the severity of flooding and extensive need in Chattooga County, Individual Assistance through FEMA is necessary. I strongly support the state’s request for a major disaster declaration, and I thank you for prompt consideration. I stand ready to work with you and your Administration to support these critical recovery efforts in Georgia.

Sincerely,

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