This has been a difficult week for Georgians. Although rain remains in the forecast, the major flooding that has distressed our area appears to be on the way out. Now we must begin the process of recovery.

Along with Governor Perdue, I joined the rest of our state’s congressional delegation to request a federal disaster declaration for seventeen counties in Georgia. Earlier today that request was approved for several counties, including Cobb and Cherokee. Accordingly, Cobb and Cherokee residents are now eligible to apply for assistance from FEMA. Types of assistance that may be available include: temporary housing; grants for home repair and medical, personal property, moving/storage, and other serious needs; disaster unemployment assistance; legal services; special tax considerations; and crisis counseling.

For those of you in Fulton and Dekalb, requests for assistance in these counties may be approved in the coming days should the areas meet the disaster threshold.

To apply for assistance, visit FEMA online or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

You may also find more emergency information and updates via the Georgia Emergency Management Agency . If you have any difficulty in the FEMA process, please don’t hesitate to contact my office for assistance at (770) 565-4990.