Stephens Among Counties In Federal Disaster Declaration From Winter Storm

Stephens County is among 15 counties in north Georgia that may receive federal aid to help pay for costs incurred in a winter storm earlier this year.

Earlier this week, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal announced that President Barack Obama approved a federal disaster declaration for 15 counties that bore the brunt of ice and snow on February 15 through February 17, 2015.

Under the declaration, the president has designated that local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in Stephens, Franklin, Habersham, Banks, Barrow, Dawson, Elbert, Forsyth, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Oglethorpe, Pickens, and White counties are eligible to receive federal funds to help offset 75 percent of eligible costs of debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair or replacement for disaster-related damages, as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Both Stephens County Administrator Phyllis Ayers and Toccoa City Manager Billy Morse said that they have provided information to state and federal officials to see if the city and county will qualify to receive any re-imbursement, and if so, how much.

Also, state emergency management officials said this disaster declaration also makes all counties in Georgia eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides assistance to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards.