WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09) sent a letter to Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Karen Evans urging the agency to recommend presidential approval for a major disaster declaration for Northeast Georgia counties severely impacted by Winter Storm Fern.

Notably, Rep. Clyde initiated his request by thanking FEMA officials for working on this matter amid challenges caused by Senate Democrats’, including Georgia Sens. Ossoff and Warnock, refusal to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

“I want to express my gratitude for FEMA's ongoing engagement with state and local officials throughout the damage assessment process – particularly given the operational challenges posed by the ongoing Democrat-led shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. That FEMA personnel have continued to work diligently on behalf of affected communities under these circumstances is commendable, and I am grateful for their dedication.”

The Congressman highlighted the tremendous financial strain that local officials and their communities are facing due to recovery efforts.

“During and since those visits, I have heard directly from local officials across Northeast Georgia about the financial strain this storm has placed on their communities. The damage caused by Winter Storm Fern is simply beyond the capacity of these counties’ budgets to address alone. This burden is compounded by the economic vulnerability of these communities, as the majority of the affected counties are rural and have poverty rates above the national average. Local governments are facing costs associated with debris removal, infrastructure repair, and emergency response that far exceed what their fiscal resources can sustain. They have made clear to me that without additional federal assistance, a full and timely recovery will not be possible.”

Specifically, Rep. Clyde cited the preliminary damage assessment data for the hardest-hit Northeast Georgia counties.

“The scale by which these counties exceeded FEMA's own threshold for federal intervention is staggering. Habersham County sustained $7,223,461 in total eligible Public Assistance damage, or $156.93 per resident, exceeding its FY2026 per capita threshold by $6,999,750.34 – nearly 32 times the level FEMA considers the outer limit of local capacity. White County sustained $4,769,738 in eligible damage, or $170.33 per resident, the highest per capita damage figure of any county in the request, exceeding its threshold by $4,633,643.42, approximately 35 times. Rabun County sustained $1,659,595 in eligible damage, or $98.30 per resident, exceeding its threshold by $1,577,543.62, more than 20 times. Stephens County sustained $225,835 in eligible damage, or $8.43 per resident, exceeding its threshold by $95,664.76, approximately 1.7 times. In every case, the damage in these communities far exceeded FEMA's threshold for warranted federal intervention.”

Rep. Clyde continued by making the case that there is a sufficient basis for federal intervention in Northeast Georgia.

“I am also aware that the aggregate statewide damage from Winter Storm Fern, as currently assessed, does not meet FEMA’s per capita threshold for the State of Georgia as a whole. However, FEMA’s regulations and policy guidance explicitly recognize that localized concentrations of extraordinary damage can warrant federal assistance even when statewide thresholds are not met. This is further reinforced by FEMA’s own internal guidance directing Regional Administrators to give greater consideration to severe local impact when assessing whether to recommend a declaration. The per capita damage figures for the four Ninth District counties range from approximately $8.43 in Stephens County to $170.33 in White County – a compelling illustration of the kind of localized, concentrated impact that FEMA’s $4.86 per capita county cost indicator contemplate as a sufficient basis for federal intervention. I urge FEMA to apply that standard here.”

In closing, Congressman Clyde urged Acting Administrator Evans to recommend presidential approval for this major disaster declaration and emphasized his ongoing advocacy for Ninth District communities in need.

“I respectfully urge FEMA to complete its review of Governor Kemp’s request and to recommend to President Trump that he approve a major disaster declaration for the affected Northeast Georgia counties. My office stands ready to engage with FEMA at every step of this process, and I will use every tool available to me as a Member of Congress to advocate in a fiscally responsible way for the resources Northeast Georgians need and deserve.”

Read the full letter HERE.

Background

In late January, Winter Storm Fern hit Northeast Georgia, causing hazardous conditions, road closures, and massive power outages. In the days following the storm, Rep. Clyde visited the Ninth District’s hardest-hit communities — including White, Habersham, and Rabun Counties, to assess the damage left behind by the storm and to meet with local officials, utility providers, and Georgia National Guard troops.

Last week, Rep. Clyde sent a letter to Governor Kemp urging him to formally request a major disaster declaration from FEMA for the counties worst affected by the storm. Following the Congressman’s letter and outreach from local communities impacted by Winter Storm Fern, Governor Kemp submitted the request to FEMA.