N. Ga. counties added to disaster relief list

ATLANTA - Four more counties, including two in north Georgia, have been designated for federal disaster assistance following winter storms in February.

Officials with FEMA's Public Assistance Program added Fannin, Habersham, Taliaferro and Twiggs counties to the list Tuesday.

On March 6, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the state of Georgia for Baldwin, Bulloch, Burke, Butts, Candler, Carroll, Columbia, Coweta, Dade, Emanuel, Fayette, Fulton, Gilmer, Glascock, Hancock, Haralson, Heard, Jasper, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, McDuffie, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Newton, Pickens, Pike, Richmond, Screven, Spalding, Upson, Walker, Warren, Washington, Whitfield, and Wilkes counties.

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the February 10-14 severe winter storm.

Examples of eligible private nonprofit facilities are electric and water utilities, custodial care and medical organizations, and educational institutions.