FEMA denies federal money to Georgia for major March storms that pummeled Troup County

Kelby Hutchison
·2 min read

Federal assistance for the March storms that caused a tornado that ravaged parts of Troup County, including West Point, has been denied by FEMA, according to a Troup County press release.

The state of Georgia requested a major disaster declaration for the severe storms that produced a tornado, straight-line winds and flooding from March 25 to 27.

This blue house has been Sherry Bennett’s home for 44 years in Troup County, Georgia. 03/27/2023
This blue house has been Sherry Bennett’s home for 44 years in Troup County, Georgia. 03/27/2023

The tornado in West Point left many without homes, including one woman who had lived in her home for 44-years and left a family-owned motel since the 70s in disrepair for the foreseeable future from storm damages.

The West Point Motel has been in Divyesh Patel’s family since the 1970s and now will be closed for the foreseeable future due to a tornado that ravaged the town Sunday morning.
The West Point Motel has been in Divyesh Patel’s family since the 1970s and now will be closed for the foreseeable future due to a tornado that ravaged the town Sunday morning.

“A major disaster declaration provides a wide range of federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure, including funds for both emergency and permanent work,” according to FEMA’s website.

These federal funds can help with crisis counseling programs, disaster case management, disaster unemployment assistance, disaster legal services a supplemental nutrition assistance programs at an individual level.

However, these funds can also help communities rebuild by helping fund debris removal, emergency protective measures, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, parks and recreational facilities.

“FEMA determined that the damage from these events did not meet the threshold to go beyond the capabilities of the state, local governments, and voluntary agencies. Therefore, supplemental federal assistance will not be provided,” the release says.

FEMA considers multiple factors before making recommendations to the President regarding major disaster declarations including this:

“Estimated cost of the assistance – FEMA evaluates the estimated cost of Federal and non-Federal public assistance against the population to give some measure of the per capita impact. FEMA uses a per capita amount as an indicator that the disaster is of such severity and magnitude that it might warrant Federal assistance, and adjusts this figure annually, based on the Consumer Price Index.”

Troup County officials pledged to look for additional resources.

“The Troup County Emergency Management Agency exhausted all available resources in trying to assist GEMA in preparing this request,” explained Troup County’s Deputy Fire Chief and EMA Director Zac Steele in a statement. “We stand committed to serving our citizens and will continue to explore all avenues in order to get our community resources that are available.”