September 8, 2022–10:06 a.m.
WZQZ RADIO
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp were in Chattooga County on Wednesday to see the damage from the Labor Day Weekend Flood. The governor spoke with volunteers across the county and visited several flood relief sights, including North Summerville Baptist in Summerville and Central Avenue Baptist in Trion. The governor held a press conference in front of Summerville City Hall and spoke off-camera with WZQZ News.
WZQZ News asked the governor if the damage was as bad as he expected. Kemp said, “Well in situations like this there are so many who are affected and even though the flood waters have receded, there are still people in need of help. Marty and I have talked with so many volunteers today at North Summerville Baptist and Central Avenue (Baptist) in Trion who are on the front line making sure Chattooga County residents are getting the essentials. Now it is up to us at the state level to follow up and do what we can to be sure local officials have the resources they need to handle a disaster like this.”
Governor Kemp declared a State of Emergency for Chattooga County and a portion of Floyd County on Sunday evening following the flooding on Saturday night and Sunday.
Governor Kemp added, “We are working with Sheriff Schrader, your local EMA, and Mayor Harvey and others and coordinating efforts.”
The governor said that he, along with Georgia Emergency Management Agency Director Chris Stallings has reached out to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA). FEMA is expected to have an assessment of the damage complete soon and that could lead to more resources being available for Chattooga County.
The governor also said that he would be talking with the Georgia Department of Labor about workers who have been displaced by the flooding.