Rep. Johnson pleased federal response to historic flooding so swift

Timely declaration will provide much-needed funds for DeKalb, Rockdale, Gwinnett counties


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Phelan, Communications Director

DECATUR – On the heels of the announcement that the three counties that make up the Fourth District – DeKalb, Rockdale and Gwinnett counties – are eligible to receive federal funds in wake of the historic flooding, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) was pleased at the quick response and that the clean up is under way.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has already received 7,000 applications for assistance and distributed $2.4 million in relief funds.

“The quicker we can get help to those in need, the better,” said Johnson, who spoke from the floor of the House and wrote a letter to President Barack Obama last week urging the White House to act.

“By unlocking access to federal aid for hundreds of families in my district whose homes and neighborhoods were destroyed by the recent flooding, this will give affected residents access to federal resources to help them repair and rebuild. My office stands ready to assist in any way we can.”

Johnson also urged residents to not only to apply with FEMA at disasterassistance.gov, but also with the Small Business Administration at sba.gov, which has low-interest loans available for individual home owners and businesses affected by the storms as well.

CEO Burrell Ellis, who held a news conference Sept. 28 to get the word out on available resources to flood victims, thanked Johnson for helping secure federal assistance.

“No one worked more closely and more diligently with us to ensure we received the disaster designation to release the federal funds than Congressman Hank Johnson,” said Ellis, who met with Johnson in Washington last weekend. “Congressman Johnson and his staff in both Washington and here in the District were exemplary in helping secure the assistance we need to get back on our feet.”

For more information on available flood resources, visit Johnson’s Web site at hankjohnson.house.gov.

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