WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., applauded President Obama’s decision Thursday evening to issue a disaster declaration for the state of Georgia, triggering the release of federal funds to help communities recover from severe storms, flooding and tornadoes that hit the state on March 26 and have continued over the past several weeks.

The designation includes assistance to individuals and households in Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Coffee, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Pierce, Tift, Ware, Wheeler and Worth counties. Additionally, the designation includes state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Early, Echols, Grady, Lowndes, Mitchell, Montgomery, Pierce, Toombs and Ware counties. Additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“This is welcome news for those who greatly need assistance in recovering from the severe weather that has struck South Georgia in the past few weeks,” said Chambliss. “There are certainly many areas that are going to need a helping hand, so I hope additional designations will be forthcoming once the assessments are completed.”

“I thank the president for this disaster declaration for all of the Georgia counties affected by these devastating storms, flooding and tornadoes. This will ensure that these communities in South Georgia will be eligible for much-needed federal assistance in their recovery efforts,” Isakson said.