(WTXL) - The White House has approved Georgia Governor Nathan Deal's request for federal assistance in the state of Georgia.
Gov. Deal received notice from the White House on Sunday that Georgia's request for federal aid has been approved, including individual assistance for six counties impacted by Hurricane Michael. 31 counties have been approved for public assistance.
Individual assistance makes funding available to individuals and households in the six following counties: Baker, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Miller and Seminole counties.
FEMA and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency are continuing to conduct individual assistance assessments in other counties, and the president may add additional counties for designation based upon the assessments.
Individual assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the hurricane.
Public assistance includes assistance for emergency work and debris removal.
The 31 counties approved for public assistance include: Baker, Bleckley, Burke, Calhoun, Colquitt, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Emanuel, Grady, Houston, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, Lee, Macon, Miller, Mitchell, Pulaski, Seminole, Sumter, Terrell, Thomas, Treutlen, Turner, Wilcox and Worth counties.
All counties in Georgia are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance online here or by calling 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 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
