ATLANTA – After visiting communities impacted by Hurricane Matthew and meeting with first responders, U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and David Perdue, R-Ga., today released the following statement:

“Thanks to the cooperation and hard work of Governor Nathan Deal, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and all of the local elected officials, first responders and medical personnel, our recovery from Hurricane Matthew is progressing well,” said Isakson. “Senator Perdue and I will continue working together and doing all we can to support storm recovery efforts.”

“Hurricane Matthew was one of largest storms our state has seen in decades,” said Senator Perdue. “While many areas were fortunate to have sustained manageable damage, four Georgians lost their lives and many experienced significant flooding from the storm surge. Since the storm hit, our first responders, the Georgia National Guard, the Georgia Department of Transportation, and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency have been working around the clock to reopen roads and clear debris so power can be restored. I remain in constant communication with Governor Deal’s office, and our state and federal agencies, as they work to get our coastal communities up and running again.”

On Sunday, Isakson and Perdue joined Governor Nathan Deal and U.S. Representative Buddy Carter, R-Ga.-01, in visiting Georgia communities impacted by Hurricane Matthew. They flew over the coastal areas to survey the damage and met with first responders, the Georgia Department of Transportation, Georgia National Guard Brigadier General Joe Jarrard, Mayor Eddie DeLoach of Savannah, Ga., and local emergency management agency officials on the ground.

Governor Deal has lifted the mandatory evacuation order and local governments are coordinating re-entry operations. Residents and business owners should check with their county EMAs to ensure they meet all re-entry restrictions.

• Bryan County EMA - (912) 858-2799
• Camden County EMA - (912) 729-5602
• Chatham County EMA - (912) 201-4500
• Glynn County EMA - (912) 554-7826
• Liberty County EMA - (912) 368-2201
• McIntosh County EMA - (912) 269-0534  

A State of Emergency remains in effect for 30 counties. In response to Hurricane Matthew, President Obama issued an Emergency Declaration for Georgia to provide direct federal assistance and a Disaster Declaration for Georgia to provide grants from the Public Assistance Program.

For additional updates, please visit the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency here.

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