Sen. Hamrick Joins DNR Commissioner for Fly-around to View Flood Damage

ATLANTA (Sept. 23, 2009) – Today State Senator Bill Hamrick (R-Carrollton) and DNR Commissioner Chris Clark took an aerial tour to view flood damage in Carrolton and the surrounding areas.

“This past week, severe weather devastated numerous communities throughout Georgia and I am deeply saddened for the destruction and loss of life,” said Sen. Hamrick. “Today’s fly-around gave us an opportunity to see first-hand the damages caused by Mother Nature and the long road to recovery that our citizens are facing.”

Citizens should stay informed of changes throughout the state by monitoring a radio or local TV station.  If you need assistance, contact local officials and if you are told to evacuate, do so immediately.

GEMA is coordinating the response by running the State Operations Center, damage reports, public information, situation reports, resource coordination and field response. Other state agencies providing recovery efforts include the Georgia Forestry Commission which is deploying manpower and providing debris clearance, water tanker for Douglas County Hospital, water tender strike teams for structural fire support; the Georgia State Patrol is providing law enforcement for traffic control, road closures, helicopters; the Department of Transportation is putting up road closure signs, bridge inspections, detours;  the Department of Human Services is providing hospital coordination, shelter coordination, boil water advisories; the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Division is providing boats, high water vehicles, manpower, water rescue, dam inspections, haz-mat spill assistance, water testing; and the Department of Agriculture is contributing to large animal evacuations and pet sheltering.

For more information please visit GEMA’s web site at www.gema.ga.gov. To learn how to prepare for disaster, visit www.ready.ga.gov .

Sen. Bill Hamrick serves as Chairman of the Banking and Financial Institutions Committee. He represents the 30th Senate District which includes portions of Carroll, Douglas, and Paulding counties. He may be reached at 404.656.0036 or via e-mail at bill.hamrick@senate.ga.gov.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
September, 23, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
Katie Wright, Communications Associate
katie.wright@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028