Thursday, September 26, 2024–6:38 p.m.
-News Release-
On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Governor Brian P. Kemp requested a federal pre-landfall Emergency Declaration for the State of Georgia in anticipation of Hurricane Helene. Governor
Kemp’s request asked for immediate assistance to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, and lessen the threat of a catastrophe. This morning, the White House issued an Emergency Declaration for the State of Georgia. The Emergency Declaration provides direct federal assistance to supplement response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Helene.
Public Assistance Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance at 75 percent federal funding, will be provided for Atkinson, Baker, Banks, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crisp, Dawson, Decatur, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Echols, Fannin, Forsyth, Franklin, Gilmer, Grady, Habersham, Hall, Irwin, Jackson, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Lumpkin, Macon, Miller, Mitchell, Pickens, Pulaski, Quitman, Rabun, Randolph, Schley, Seminole, Stephens, Stewart, Sumter, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Towns, Turner, Union, Webster, White, Wilcox, and Worth counties.
Public Assistance emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding for Appling, Bacon, Baldwin, Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Burke, Butts, Camden, Carroll, Catoosa, Charlton, Chattahoochee, Chattooga, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Coweta, Crawford, Dade, DeKalb, Dodge, Douglas, Elbert, Emanuel, Fayette, Floyd, Fulton, Glascock, Glynn, Gordon, Greene, Gwinnett, Hancock, Haralson, Harris, Hart, Heard, Henry, Houston, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Lincoln, Madison, Marion, McDuffie, Meriwether, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Murray, Muscogee, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Peach, Pierce, Pike, Polk, Putnam, Richmond, Rockdale, Screven, Spalding, Talbot, Taliaferro, Taylor, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Troup, Twiggs, Upson, Walker, Walton, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wheeler, Whitfield, Wilkes, and Wilkinson counties.
Finally, FEMA is authorized to provide public assistance emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance at 75 percent federal funding for Bryan, Bulloch, Candler, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, and Tattnall counties.
“We are grateful to receive the federal emergency declaration, upon Governor Kemp’s request, which provides critical resources and support as we prepare for Hurricane Helene’s impact on Georgia,” said GEMA/HS Director Chris Stallings. “This declaration enables us to work closely with our federal, state, and local partners to ensure the safety of our communities. We encourage all Georgians to take this storm seriously, follow official guidance, and prioritize safety in the days ahead.”
GEMA/HS will continue to be in constant communication with state and local emergency management officials, and state agency leaders to ensure the State is prepared to respond to any potential impacts from Hurricane Debby.