May 4, 2011
www.gfb.org
Vol. 29 No. 18
FARMS ACROSS GEORGIA DAMAGED BY TORNADOES The rash of tornadoes that struck central and north Georgia on April 27 destroyed chicken houses, damaged barns and fences and left some producers without power for extended periods of time. The tornadoes killed more than 300 people across the Southeast, including 15 in Georgia. The EF3 tornado that moved through Spalding County crossed Georgia Highway 16 at the farm of Spalding County Farm Bureau President Charles Rucks, destroying a house on the property occupied by one of Rucks’ employees. The tornado destroyed one of Rucks’ hay barns, tore the roof off another, and downed approximately two miles of fencing. “We were blessed,” Rucks said. “It left our house. It did minimal damage. We got through it good because we didn’t lose our house.” Some of the damage around the state: In Bartow County, farmers Roger Rutledge, James Huskins, Cu Van Lam and Michael Howren had chicken houses damaged or destroyed. Irrigation pivots on corn field owned by Aubrey Corporation were destroyed, and Bartow County Farm Bureau President Dean Bagwell sustained damage on eight different farms, including destroyed hay barns and fences downed. In Catoosa County, at least three farmers had damage to their barns, and three more farmers in Polk County sustained damage to their farm facilities. Dade County Farm Bureau Office Manager Brenda Croft and secretary Connie Blevins were in the DCFB office when it was hit by a tornado. They were unhurt other than a minor cut to Blevins’ hand. DCFB operated out of a tent temporarily and on May 2 moved into a rental building. President Barack Obama approved a federal disaster declaration for 16 Georgia counties. Local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in those counties are eligible for federal funds to help offset 75 percent of the cost of debris removal and emergency protective measures. Residents and business owners in Bartow, Catoosa, Dade, Floyd, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Polk, Rabun, Spalding and Walker counties who sustained losses are eligible for federal assistance and are eligible for grants to help with home repairs, temporary housing and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration will also be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance. The disaster declaration makes all counties in the state eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which gives aid to state and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards. To apply for federal assistance visit http://www.disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or 800-462-7565 (TTY) between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.