(ATLANTA) – Governor Brian Kemp has announced residents in Georgia counties affected by Tropical Storm Debby can now apply disaster assistance. 

Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Long, and Screven Counties can now apply for Individual Assistance.

Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Echols, Effingham, Evans, Jeff Davis, Jenkins, Lanier, Long, Lowndes, McIntosh, Pierce, Screven, Tattnall, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Ware, and Wayne Counties can now apply for Public Assistance. All areas in the State of Georgia are eligible for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

“As we continue to recover from the impacts of Tropical Storm Debby, the Major Disaster Declaration for these counties is a critical step in providing much-needed relief to our communities,” said Chris Stallings, Director of GEMA/HS. “This declaration unlocks federal assistance for individuals, families, and public entities, helping them rebuild and recover. We are committed to supporting affected Georgians every step of the way and encourage those impacted to apply for assistance as soon as possible.”

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 is available to state and local government entities and qualified not-for-profit organizations. It will provide financial aid for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Assistance through HMGP includes actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.

Individuals in these designated counties can apply for assistance in any of the following ways:

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov

Calling 1-800-621-3362

People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.

For more information on the Major Disaster Declaration or Public Assistance, please email [email protected], and for Individual Assistance, email [email protected].

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As part of the Office of the Governor, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency collaborates with local, state and federal governments in partnership with private sector and non-governmental organizations to protect life and property against man-made and natural emergencies. GEMA/HS’s Ready Georgia website and preparedness campaign provides Georgians with the knowledge needed to effectively prepare for disasters. Go to gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia for information on developing a custom emergency plan and Ready kit.