Senator Reverend Warnock and Congressman Carter led the Georgia delegation in urging President Biden to approve Governor Brian Kemp’s request for an emergency declaration for the state of Georgia ahead of Hurricane Debby’s expected landfall.

Hurricane Debby hit the Senator’s hometown of Savannah, Georgia

Senator Reverend Warnock, Congressman Carter: “Given the potential catastrophic impact that this hurricane may have on Georgia, the state and federal government must work together in order to help reduce the potential loss of life and destruction of property”

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) joined Congressman Buddy Carter (R-GA-1) and thirteen other members of Georgia’s congression delegation in urging President Biden to approve Governor Brian Kemp’s request for an emergency declaration for the state of Georgia ahead of Hurricane Debby’s expected landfall. President Biden approved the declaration later that day.  

“Given the potential catastrophic impact that this hurricane may have on Georgia, the state and federal government must work together in order to help reduce the potential loss of life and destruction of property,” wrote the delegation to President Biden. “As we have witnessed with previous hurricanes in the area, like Hurricane Idelia, preparation and up-front resources are paramount in mitigating the impacts of the storm and providing quick response in its aftermath.”

In addition to Senator Warnock and Congressman Carter, the letter was signed by Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Representatives Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Drew Ferguson (R-GA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Nikema Williams (D-GA), Rich McCormick (R-GA), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Austin Scott (R-GA), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Mike Collins (R-GA), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Rick Allen (R-GA), and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). 

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Mr. President:

We write in full support of Governor Brian Kemp’s request for an emergency declaration for the state of Georgia in anticipation of Hurricane Debby.

Hurricane Debby has been classified as a Category 1 hurricane and is expected to cause incredible devastation to portions of the Southeastern United States. NOAA has warned communities in the path of Hurricane Debby to expect potentially historic heavy rainfall that may result in catastrophic flooding.

As the current projections indicate, this major hurricane will significantly impact Georgia’s communities, with 10 to 20 inches of rainfall and local amounts up to 30 inches expected across portions of southeast Georgia. We urge you to approve requests to ensure that full federal resources are made available for counties currently under the declaration and those that may be determined to be in need of emergency federal assistance in the coming days. 

Given the potential catastrophic impact that this hurricane may have on Georgia, the state and federal government must work together in order to help reduce the potential loss of life and destruction of property. As we have witnessed with previous hurricanes in the area, like Hurricane Idelia, preparation and up-front resources are paramount in mitigating the impacts of the storm and providing quick response in its aftermath. 

We thank you for your support and ask for your continued support and assistance in providing the resources necessary to ensure the safety of Georgians.

Sincerely,

###