ATLANTA -- The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), on behalf of Governor Sonny Perdue, recently reimbursed DeKalb County $1,265,442.71  for costs associated with the acquisition and demolition of eleven DeKalb County private properties.   

"These improvements will pay major dividends in terms of reducing flooding and destruction in this area," said GEMA Director Charley English. “Additionally, it will reduce future flood insurance claims and thereby reducing the financial obligation of federal, state and local governments.”

The funding is a part of the 2007 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program, which is a competitive, non-disaster related program aimed at providing funds to state agencies and local governments for projects that reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from the effects of natural hazards by breaking the repetitive cycle of destruction and reconstruction. 

Each of the eleven mitigated properties had a history of flooding because they were located within the floodway or floodplain of South Fork Peachtree Creek.  For additional information on the hazard mitigation programs please contact GEMA toll-free at    1-800-TRY-GEMA or visit the GEMA Web site at http://www.gema.ga.gov.

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Post Office Box 18055 - Atlanta, Georgia 30316-0055
Phone (404) 635-7000 or toll-free in Georgia 1-800-TRY-GEMA - Fax (404)635-7205
www.gema.ga.gov
www.ready.ga.gov
www.georgia911.org