21 Georgia Counties Get Federal Aid For Zeta Cleanup, Repair

Several north Georgia counties are getting federal aid to repair infrastructure and clean up damage from Hurricane Zeta in October.

The storm, which made landfall in Louisiana, blew over trees in metro Atlanta and areas to the north, causing widespread power outages and damage. Two people died in Buford and one person died in Acworth when trees fell onto their homes on the morning of Oct. 29.

President Donald Trump approved assistance to governments in 21 counties on Tuesday. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency says state and local governments documented more than $22 million in damage.

The federal assistance will pay up to 75% of the cost of removing debris and repairing roads, bridges and electrical systems in Banks, Carroll, Cherokee, Dawson, Douglas, Fannin, Forsyth, Franklin, Gilmer, Habersham, Hall, Haralson, Heard, Lumpkin, Paulding, Pickens, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union and White counties.

Governments and qualified nonprofit entities throughout the entire state are eligible for grants to prevent or reduce risks from natural hazards.