[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 136 (Thursday, September 24, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9858-S9859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES OF THE INDIVIDUALS KILLED DURING UNUSUAL 
                      STORMS AND FLOODS IN GEORGIA

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to S. Res. 286.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 286) expressing condolences to the 
     families of the individuals killed during unusual storms and 
     floods in the State of Georgia between September 18 and 
     September 21, 2009, and expressing gratitude to all of the 
     emergency personnel who continue to work with unyielding 
     determination to meet the needs of Georgia's residents.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I come to the floor with a heavy heart 
to express condolences to those in my home State of Georgia as well as 
others across the southern part of our country who have been affected 
by the recent devastating floods.
  It is hard to imagine that 1 year ago we in Georgia were in the 
fourth year of extensive drought. Yet today across the metro Atlanta 
area and throughout north Georgia, we have gone from a water crisis in 
the last couple of years to rising waters that have transformed 
neighborhoods into rivers, ballfields into lakes, and basements into 
dank pools. Rafts and kayaks have taken the place of cars in streets. 
In many areas, the only dry places are rooftops and treetops.

  For 4 days and 4 nights, beginning September 18, water poured from 
the sky in torrents, and rose from rivers, creeks, and the saturated 
ground to claim lives and livelihoods, worldly possessions, and 
treasured memories in flooded basements, attics, driveways, and fields.
  The Chattooga and Chattahoochee Rivers and Chickamauga Creek, swollen 
by days of rain, topped their banks, with deadly results. The 
Chattahoochee crested at 30 feet, some 15 feet above flood stage.
  Nearly 1,000 families have lost their homes to flooding they never 
expected to see in their lifetimes. Others found their businesses 
submerged. Because most are not in floodplains, they do not have flood 
insurance. Many have lost everything they own during already tough 
economic times.
  In addition to homes and businesses, the rising waters destroyed 
roadways, swept away bridges, tainted drinking water, and damaged sewer 
systems. It will take months, if not years, to repair the damage.
  Even more heart-wrenching is the fact that nine Georgians and one 
resident of Alabama, just across the State line, have perished in the 
rushing waters.
  When all was said and done, more than 20 inches of rain fell on 
Georgia, breaking a 130-year-old record at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson 
International Airport. More than 30,000 people were without power in 
the metro Atlanta area. The Red Cross sheltered hundreds rendered 
homeless by the floods.
  However, the worst situations often bring out the best in people. 
Local first responders and emergency personnel worked tirelessly to 
protect lives and property and to rescue those trapped by the waters. 
Their bravery and sacrifice is exemplary.
  Also, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency worked around the clock 
to facilitate requests for assistance. The Federal Emergency Management 
Agency worked closely with the State to anticipate and respond to 
emergency needs, and countless volunteers gave time and energy to 
ensure that evacuees were sheltered, clothed, fed, and comforted. They 
all have Georgians' and my personal deepest, most heartfelt gratitude.
  I would like to express my sympathy to the families of those who have 
lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. To that end, Senator Isakson 
and I have submitted this resolution, S. Res. 286, expressing 
condolences to those affected and appreciation to emergency responders 
and others who helped them. I urge my colleagues to support the 
resolution tonight.
  On September 21, Gov. Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency in 
17 counties. I understand President Obama called Governor Perdue 
Tuesday night to discuss the needs of Georgians and assured the 
Governor that his request for Federal aid would receive prompt 
attention. To that end, today we received notification that 4 of the 17 
affected counties have been declared disaster areas by President Obama, 
and I am certain the others, when the processing is completed, will 
likewise be declared disaster areas.
  Tomorrow, Vice President Biden will accompany Senator Isakson and 
myself to Georgia to take a firsthand look at what is going on.
  Mr. President, we are literally underwater. Georgia and other parts 
of the Southeast need the assistance of the Federal Government in this 
case, as well as the State government. To that end, we are seeing the 
response in a very appropriate way.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 286) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 286

       Whereas beginning on September 18, 2009, the State of 
     Georgia was hit by days of unusually strong storms that 
     resulted in downpours and flooding;
       Whereas numerous Georgia rivers and creeks, including the 
     Chattooga and Chattahoochee Rivers and the Chickamauga Creek, 
     swollen by days of rain, overtopped their banks, creating a 
     dangerous and deadly situation for nearby residents;
       Whereas the storms and floods took human lives;
       Whereas the floodwater destroyed homes, flooded roadways, 
     including major highways, compromised drinking water, 
     severely damaged plumbing systems, and caused significant 
     damage to homes and businesses;
       Whereas on September 21, 2009, Georgia Governor Sonny 
     Perdue declared a state of emergency in 17 counties, 
     including Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clayton, 
     Cobb, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, 
     Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens, and Walker Counties;
       Whereas the National Weather Service estimated that between 
     15 and 22 inches of rain fell in the metropolitan Atlanta 
     counties of Gwinnett, Douglas, and Paulding between September 
     18 and September 21, 2009;
       Whereas the rains broke a 130-year-old record at 
     Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport;
       Whereas hundreds of Georgians were evacuated from their 
     homes, and more than 300 people sought refuge in shelters;
       Whereas Governor Perdue estimated that more than 1,000 
     residences were seriously flooded;
       Whereas the weather closed schools in several counties;
       Whereas as many as tens of thousands of people were without 
     power in metropolitan Atlanta;
       Whereas search and rescue operations functioned in several 
     counties where the water continued to rise;
       Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency coordinated 
     with local emergency personnel and worked tirelessly to 
     protect human lives and rescue those threatened by the 
     floods;
       Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency facilitated 
     requests for assistance from people and first responders all 
     across the State of Georgia;
       Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and other 
     first responders acted valiantly in life-safety response 
     operations, including delivering sandbags and rescuing people 
     trapped in their cars and homes from the floodwater;
       Whereas the Federal Emergency Management Agency activated 
     its national and regional response coordination centers and 
     worked closely with the State of Georgia to monitor the 
     response efforts and identify and respond to any immediate 
     emergency needs for the people and communities of the State 
     that were impacted by the devastating floods; and
       Whereas volunteers gave their time to help ensure that 
     evacuees were sheltered, clothed, fed, and comforted through 
     this traumatic event: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) offers its deepest sympathy and condolences to the 
     families of those who lost their lives in the flooding in the 
     State of Georgia;
       (2) expresses its condolences to the families who lost 
     their homes and other property in the floods;
       (3) expresses gratitude and appreciation to the people of 
     the State of Georgia and the surrounding States, who worked 
     to protect people from the rising floodwaters;
       (4) expresses its support as the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency responds to the needs of the people and 
     communities affected by the flooding; and
       (5) honors the emergency responders, within and beyond 
     metropolitan Atlanta and the State of Georgia, for their 
     bravery and sacrifice during this tragedy.

[[Page S9859]]



                          ____________________