Gov. Kemp is calling for a declaration of a major disaster for the hardest-hit counties in Georgia

Kemp requests federal disaster declaration

Gov. Brian Kemp is asking President Biden to issue a major disaster declaration for several counties badly hit by Thursday’s tornado outbreak.

ATLANTA – Gov. Brian Kemp is FEMA to designate several Georgia counties as major disaster areas as the National Weather Service releases its largest report on the tornado outbreak Thursday.

Counties under consideration are Butts, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Spalding and Troup.

A powerful storm line that ripped through last Thursday whipped up several strong, long-track tornadoes and also caused straight-line wind damage.

An explanation would assist in providing individual assistance with salvage, debris clearance and other emergency response.

In hard-hit Spalding County, the sheriff’s office reported a total of five tornadoes made landfall last Thursday. At least one of these tornadoes was EF-3 in magnitude.

SPALDING COUNTY COMES UP TO HELP AFTER STRONG TORNADOS RACE THE COMMUNITY

Storm damage after an EF-2 tornado tore through the LaGrange area on January 12, 2023. (FOX 5)

As a result, the storms destroyed 60% of Griffin’s power supply. About 150 energy workers have flooded the area to help restore services.

More than 1.5 million cubic yards of debris was left behind after the tornado and more than 360 volunteers have signed up to help, with many more just rolling up their sleeves to clean it all up.

The sheriff is reminding residents that a report to law enforcement is not required to make a claim with an insurance company.

The Griffin-Spalding County School District has suspended classes until at least Thursday.

LaGrange is also working to recover after seeing two EF-2 tornadoes. Over the weekend, the city distributed tools and other items to help clean up debris.

The police department also set up GoFundMe to raise money for those hit the hardest by the tornadoes there.

Troup County is asking those who are unable to incinerate or dispose of unwanted plant clippings and yard waste to bring them to the C&D Landfill at 174 Parmer Road. The opening times are Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is also open on January 14th from 7am to 5pm and on January 21st and 28th from 7am to 2pm

Also along the same trail of these storms as Locust Grove, where an EF-1 tornado sped through an RV park.

FAMILY FOUNDS ONLINE FUNDRAISER AFTER A 5-YEAR-OLD BOY WAS KILLED BY A TREE IN BUTTS COUNTY

Only two reported deaths were attributed to the tornado outbreak. A Georgia Department of Transportation highway worker was killed trying to clear a roadway from fallen trees, and a 5-year-old boy was killed when a tree fell on the car he was getting on.

The Red Cross has set up several emergency shelters in these communities.

Earlier in the day, President Biden declared several Alabama counties major disaster areas.