[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 124 (Thursday, August 25, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 25, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   REMARKS ON FLOOD IN SOUTH GEORGIA

  Mr. NUNN. Mr. President, I rise this evening to pay tribute to the 
citizens of middle and south Georgia. In the face of devastating 
losses, they have endured the recent unprecedented floods with courage 
and fortitude, and with remarkable compassion for others. I also rise 
to thank the people and organizations from all over the Nation that 
have lent us a hand when it was needed. Their caring has sustained and 
supported our people in a time of great crisis, and all Georgians are 
grateful.
  Because of our topography and the nature of our river systems, 
Georgia rarely suffers the tragedy of flooding. Indeed, we know of no 
precedent in modern times for devastation on the scale that befell us 
when Tropical Storm Alberto roared up into Georgia and then parked over 
the middle of our State for several days. No one can adequately prepare 
for 20 inches and more of rain in less than 24 hours. Rainfall in many 
places was heavier than any since we began keeping records. Standards 
for flood protection are generally designed with 100-year floods in 
mind, but many places in Georgia last month experienced flooding beyond 
levels that could be expected once every 500 years.
  Under such extreme conditions, fast-rising waters and 6- and 8-foot 
waves washed vehicles off roads and bridges into raging creeks and 
rivers. Giant sinkholes and whirlpools formed without warning, sucking 
in trees and trucks. Houses and mobile homes were swept off their 
foundations and crushed by the water's weight. Water and sewage 
facilities and whole downtown business districts were inundated. Dams 
and levies were breached. It all happened so quickly that many people 
were swept from their homes and vehicles before they knew what was 
happening. In the Americus area alone, 15 people died.
  We owe a great debt to the emergency crews--military, police, 
medical, transportation, and utilities--and to local emergency 
management directors and city and county officials who dispatched and 
coordinated their work. Their quick reaction and heroic efforts, 
sustained over many days, prevented far more injuries and disease, and 
far greater loss of life.
  We mourned with the loved ones of the 31 who died, and rejoiced at 
the miraculous rescues under hazardous conditions, such as the National 
Guardsmen who drove their Humvees across washed out bridges to take 
pregnant women in labor to hospitals. Several courageous civilians lost 
their lives trying to save others.
  Sometimes the exhausting labors succeeded against all expectations. 
Desperate efforts to prevent the spread of toxic chemicals from a plant 
in the water's path were rewarded when the flood crested just below the 
predicted level. Sometimes cruel ironies were played out. Just outside 
the submerged business district of Montezuma, GA, a clothing plant that 
had been undamaged by the flood caught fire and there was not enough 
water pressure to fight the fire. In this area, where economic activity 
was almost halted by flooded businesses and agricultural losses, an 
additional 400 people are without jobs due to fire.
  Many people in the affected counties depended on public health 
departments whose facilities and supplies have been damaged or 
destroyed. Pharmaceutical companies have donated large amounts of 
supplies, equipment, and cash--some to allow needy patients to receive 
their medication for as much as 2 years--and the industry has also 
provided veterinary supplies. Volunteers in boats rescued many stranded 
animals, and others are giving foster care for animals until owners can 
be found or are able to care for them again.
  I have to say a special word about Gov. Zell Miller. He reacted 
quickly to prevent loss of life and property as roads, highways, 
powerplants, electric and telephone lines, health, water, and sewage 
facilities were cut off or threatened. Gary McConnell and the entire 
Georgia emergency management team, as well as other State agencies, 
quickly set in motion all the emergency activities necessary when large 
numbers of people were forced to evacuate their homes and abandon 
businesses and were cut off from normal supplies and services. It was 
the largest emergency mobilization in Georgia history--involving 54 
counties. As the scope of the emergency became apparent, President 
Clinton, James Lee Witt and his Federal Emergency Management Agency 
staff, and members of the Cabinet acted quickly to mobilize Federal 
emergency services in the Senate.
  Senator Coverdell and I, with our colleagues in the House, worked 
together closely to make sure our people got the help they needed from 
the Federal level. I want to especially thank Senators Hollings, 
Domenici, Bumpers, Cochran, Harkin, Specter, Mikulski, Gramm, and 
Appropriations Committee chairman Byrd for their assistance in getting 
$338 million in emergency grants included in the appropriations bills, 
subject to emergency requests by the President, and authorization for 
an additional $330 million in loans for homes, businesses, and 
infrastructure.
  The full extent of the damage caused by Tropical Storm Alberto in our 
State is not yet known, but it may run as high as the damage the 
Southeast suffered from Hurricane Hugo. Preliminary GEMA and FEMA 
estimates indicate that infrastructure damage alone will run to at 
least $202 million and total damage, including homes, businesses, and 
agricultural assets, at between $400 and $500 million. Georgia State 
University economists say the total impact may be close to $1 billion. 
Many of the communities which must replace public facilities and roads 
will also suffer severe revenue losses. We can only guess at 
the ultimate cost.

  We still cannot say how extensive total agricultural losses will be. 
Equipment, structures, irrigation and erosion control systems were 
damaged in addition to livestock and crop losses. One-third of the 
peanut crop--200,000 acres--have been affected by the water--and nearly 
150,000 acres out of 800,000 acres of cotton. Georgia Agriculture 
Commissioner Tommy Irvin says at least 30,000 acres of cotton, peanuts, 
and soybeans were totally destroyed.
  At the worst point, we had 4,031 families in shelters, but that 
number does not indicate at the number of Georgians who were forced to 
leave their homes. The great majority of those displaced were taken in 
temporarily by relatives and friends, but longer-term housing problems 
are acute. In several towns, almost all the rental units were made 
unlivable. So far, 223 households have been moved into travel trailers 
and mobile homes, and we have 773 travel trailers and 426 mobile homes 
in staging areas that people will be moved into as fast as the Army 
Corps of Engineers can build foundation pads and utilities and sanitary 
facilities can be provided. Another 300 units have been requested.
  The Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] has received requests 
for emergency aid--food, housing, medical--for 24,058 households. More 
than $14 million in emergency food stamps were provided to 56,000 
households.
  As I mentioned, the directors of our State and Federal emergency 
management agencies, Gary McConnell and James Lee Witt, deserve special 
thanks. They and their people have done a terrific job from the 
beginning, and they realize that much remains to be done in the months 
ahead.
  The Georgia National Guard, under Gen. William Bland's capable 
leadership, did a great job. Mayor Tommy Olmstead of Macon told me 
that, without the National Guard, Macon would have lost the bridges 
that link the downtown area because of the destructive waters of the 
Ocmulgee River.
  Defense Secretary William Perry quickly sent in regular military 
personnel to back up the Guard. Army Secretary Togo West and his 
Assistant Secretary for Logistics, Mike Walker, came to Georgia to 
visit affected areas and review Army activities. Army Chief of Staff 
Gordon Sullivan was also personally involved.
  Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy, Housing and Urban Development 
Secretary Henry Cisneros, Transportation Secretary Federico Pena all 
came to Georgia to see first hand what their departments could do to 
help, and Secretary Donna Shallala sent Admiral Frank Young, Public 
Health Service emergency relief coordinator, and Surgeon General 
Jocelyn Elders. But even before their visits, they had cut through red 
tape to make emergency aid available immediately.
  The personal interest of all these top officials meant a great deal 
to our citizens.
  Lt. Gen. Sam Ebbesen and the Second Army Readiness Group from Fort 
Gillem capably coordinated all Federal military involvement. Fort 
Benning conducted numerous medevac helicopter missions. The Army Corps 
of Engineers was shoring up dikes in the first stages of the emergency 
and is still preparing sites for mobile homes to provide longer-term 
housing.
  While Robins Air Force Base personnel were working around the clock 
to dike Robins' own water treatment plant, the base provided flooded 
cities with radio communications, trucks capable of operating in deep 
water for emergency missions, sandbags, and equipment for shelters.
  Hunter Army Airfield and the Marine Corps Logistics Base provided 
personnel to operate 94 400-gallon water trailers in Macon and Bibb 
County. Hunter sent 136 soldiers. The Albany Marine Base provided 600 
marines for various relief operations, plus space and equipment in 
support of State and Federal agencies and Guard operations, and also 
opened its doors to families in need of a place to stay. Once again, 
the marines demonstrated that they are neighbors and partners of the 
people of Albany.
  More than 4,000 National Guardsmen and regularly Army and Marine 
personnel, flew countless emergency missions, aided by members of the 
Civil Air Patrol. Military personnel strengthened existing dams and 
erected some new ones. The National Guard and active duty Army soldiers 
provided more than 500 million gallons of precious drinking water when 
more than 150,000 residents of Macon lost their water supply for 2\1/2\ 
weeks. Such tasks are often part of military duty, but National Guard 
troops also were called upon for some special missions. At one site, 
Guardsmen disposed of more than a quarter of a million drowned chickens 
that posed a serious health hazard.
  All the tireless work of these officials pales in comparison with the 
courage, self-sacrifice and strength of character demonstrated by the 
victims of the floods.
  There were many tales of terror, and far more of heroism, generosity 
and neighborliness on a grand scale. A National Guard helicopter pilot 
flew sorties for medical purposes while his family was in an emergency 
shelter because their home was under water. Members of a tiny church in 
southwest Georgia served 2,000 meals to volunteers even though portions 
of their church building had been damaged by the floods, and many who 
were serving the meals had been forced to flee their own homes.

  Money and volunteers poured in from all over the State and Nation--
providing food, clothing, tents, and blankets, medical and building 
supplies. Truckers hauled emergency supplies free. Distributors 
supplied free gasoline to emergency vehicles cut off from normal 
supplies. Telephone companies provided free hotlines. Some stores and 
lending institutions provided special credit arrangements for flood 
victims.
  Newspapers, radio, and television stations struggled to keep people 
informed of dangers, where to get emergency services, and cooperated 
with volunteer groups from around the State to send teams of volunteers 
who spent days in the mud helping with the cleanup and delivered 
donated supplies where they were needed. Huge food chains and tiny 
restaurants fed teams of volunteers organized by corporations and civic 
and religious groups from throughout Georgia.
  Mennonite farmers and their wives came to the aid of their neighbors 
in mud-covered Montezuma, their numbers soon bolstered by other members 
of their faith from Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Kentucky. They rolled 
up their sleeves and got down in the mud with those trying to salvage 
their homes, their businesses, and their belongings. The Mennonites are 
truly a caring and wonderful group of people.
  Illinois and Iowa towns that had borne the brunt of last year's 
floods sent immediate help. Some 6,000 Latter Day Saints--Mormon--
volunteers from around the country set up a tent village and joined the 
cleanup efforts.
  The American Red Cross was there with food and shelter while the 
waters were still rising. The Red Cross has served more than 1 million 
meals at shelters and mass feedings, continuing to feed people in 
several shelters until the last people were moved into longer term 
lodging this past weekend. Some of their workers will remain in South 
Georgia for the next 12 months as people who have lost everything try 
to sort out their lives, rebuild, or relocate. I have heard many people 
say that without the Red Cross, we would not have made it. Mr. Ed 
Darsey, of Hawkinsville, whose house was completely under water, told 
me personally, ``I will never again wonder where to send my charitable 
donations. I will send it to the Red Cross,'' and added, emotionally, 
``nobody ever again better say anything negative about the Red Cross in 
my presence.''
  The list is far too long to give credit to all whose kindness and 
hard work turned a time of great loss into a time of great caring and 
comfort as well. Those whom I do not name should not feel that our 
gratitude is any less because of that. Nevertheless, I cannot help but 
mention Church World Services, which is made up of many denominations, 
Golden Harvest Food Bank, World Vision Relief and Development, 
Adventists Community Services, United Methodists Church on Relief, the 
Georgia Baptist Convention, the Salvation Army, and a host of other 
church and civic organizations and concerned citizens.
  The Georgia Emergency Management Agency provided emergency aid and 
set the wheels in motion for getting Federal help. In a short time, 
thousands of State and Federal workers were in the field taking 
applications of aid, assessing damage, and coordinating volunteer 
efforts. Federal agencies will continue to work there for many months, 
helping towns and cities restore infrastructure and providing mortgage 
help, small business loans and other aid.
  Many who had the least to lose have lost everything, but the floods 
made no distinction of wealth or rank. Newton's mayor had to move into 
a travel trailer without utilities when her house was covered by water, 
but she continued to lead relief efforts.
  Most of the hardest-hit communities are in rural areas which were 
already suffering from economic difficulties. Flooded businesses lost 
not only inventory but equipment on which owners must continue to make 
payments. By mid-August the Small Business Administration had approved 
more than $100 million in grants and low-interest loans for businesses 
and urban homes.
  Unfortunately, there are many other small businesses that already 
know they would not be able to repay the loans--even low-interest 
loans--that would be necessary to reopen. Many older homeowners will 
not be able to start over with the long-term loans needed to rebuild or 
relocate.
  We know that, at best, processing Federal aid takes time. Despite the 
$17 billion already expended, there are more than 3,000 loan and grant 
applications still pending from the California earthquake 2 years ago. 
Many families in the Midwest are just getting money to relocate after 
last year's floods. Georgia--and the damaged areas of Florida and 
Alabama--are in for a long struggle to recover and rebuild.
  I hope that one important change will come out of this loss, and the 
flood losses last year--more careful coordination of local, State, and 
Federal policies and regulations on building in flood plains, flood 
ways, and flood basins. Expensive public facilities are going to have 
to be relocated away from these flood prone areas. We managed to avoid 
potentially horrendous releases of toxic chemicals or wastes this time, 
but we must not build plants and facilities involving toxic substances 
in the path of potential floods. No one can anticipate 500-year floods, 
but our building pattern certainly should consider the area likely to 
be inundated in 100-year floods.
  We have been reminded again of the awesome power and destructive 
potential of nature.
  And we have also been reminded by countless acts of courage and 
kindness, of the power of the human spirit and the essential goodness 
of our people in this great land. We in Georgia will be sustained and 
supported in that awareness by the memories of sacrifice and 
suffering--and even laughter--shared, as we begin the long road to 
recovery.
  Perhaps it is not a providential sign, but seeing the buildings of 
Albany State College with water to the rooftops, I took heart at the 
sight of the college library standing on a hill above the campus--all 
the books and hard-won human knowledge it housed untouched by the 
raging water.

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