'We are here to help': FEMA and local officials are ready to help Spalding storm victims

GRIFFIN, Ga. (WGXA)- Today city and government officials held a press conference in Griffin to provide updates on the counties current condition after last week's storm.

Officials tell WGXA they are ready to help aid the recovery process.

"We are here to help people and we are going to stay with you throughout this entire incident", says a FEMA official.

Local and federal officials gathered Wednesday afternoon to discuss recovery for areas hit by last weeks tornadoes.

Jessica O'connor, Griffin city manager, gave an update on the situation.

"We have 1,058 still without power. At the peak of the outages, we had over 10,000 so we have restored almost 90% of our outages. We also are experiencing some stormwater issues. In regard to the drainage in our culverts, so we hope to get that debris removed as soon as possible" says O'connor.

Damage assessments for Spalding have been completed and officials say approximately 2,300 homes received damage from the storm with over 100 home being destroyed.

READ MORE: Griffin residents are in high-spirits despite last week's disastrous tornadoes

Senator Jon Ossoff was in attendance as well, showing his respects for those who were victims of the storm.

"On behalf of the entire state our hearts are with the families of those killed as well as all who sustained injuries and property damage during the devastating storm", says Ossoff.

On January 16th, FEMA announced that president Joe Biden declared federal assistance to the state of Georgia to supplement state and local recovery efforts.

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Butts, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Spalding and Troup counties.

FEMA deputy administrator, Erik Hooks, says the declaration happened so swiftly for the government to show support to areas hit with disaster.

"I think due to the severity, but the reality of it is that across the enterprise of government we want to be forward leaning and getting support to disaster survivors. So local communities, local officials making those preliminary assessments and getting their information up to the state is critical", says Hooks.

Right now, FEMA is setting up field offices to aid citizens and will also have personnel going out into the community.

Hooks says FEMA is here to help ease recovery and keep hopes high within the community.

"Disasters impact different communities in various ways and so we want to make sure we get out on the ground learn those communities. Learn those communities. Learn what those needs are and so we can respond accordingly and also jump start their recovery process", says Hooks.

If you live in the areas affected by last weeks storm and would like assistance, please call 800-621-3362 , use the FEMA app, or go to the official website at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/