As you know, Georgia has experienced severe storms, massive flooding,and record rainfall in recent weeks. Many Georgians have lost everything they own during already-tough economic times. Upon receiving reports of the flooding, Governor Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency and requested a federal disaster declaration from President Obama. On September 24, President Obama issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Georgia, triggering the release of federal funds to help individuals recover from the severe storms and flooding. At this time, the counties of Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens, and Walker have been designated for Individual Assistance. Funding for individuals is available in the form of temporary housing, home repairs, and other serious disaster-related expenses. In addition, Public Assistance is available to local governments and nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities. Currently, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Crawford, Dawson, DeKalb, Dooly, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Houston, Newton, Pauldi ng, Peach, Rockdale, Stephens, Taylor, and Walker counties are eligible for this type of assistance. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration will also be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance. Finally, all counties in Georgia are eligible to apply for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. If you are in need of assistance and live in one of the designated counties, please apply as soon as possible by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov http://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing and speech impaired. Additional inform ation, including locations of Disaster Recovery Centers, can be found at the Georgia Emergency Management Agency's website at www.gema.ga.gov http://www.gema.ga.gov/ or by calling (404) 635-7000.. For any further assistance, you can also contact 1-800-234-4208 or visit the website http://chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=AssistanceForFloodDamage for the most up-to-date information on disaster response and recovery.