Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Declaration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Stephens County preemptively declares local state of emergency ahead of Tropical Storm Helene
Summary
The Stephens County Board of Commissioners preemptively declared a local state of emergency for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Helene to allow access to FEMA reimbursement for potential EMS, road department and other eligible storm response costs; the resolution authorizes the chairman to sign.
Stephens County commissioners voted to preemptively declare a local state of emergency for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Helene and authorized the chairman to sign the related resolution.
Staff explained the declaration is a housekeeping measure that enables the county to pursue FEMA reimbursement for eligible expenses — including EMS salaries, road‑department costs and potential storm damage — if the storm causes damage that meets reimbursement criteria. Staff noted the governor had declared a state of emergency earlier the same day.
"Declaring a local state of emergency allows us to access FEMA funds for reimbursement for EMS salaries, road department, any potential damage that has been done in our county that we can claim reimbursement for," staff said.
The board approved adding the emergency declaration to the agenda and then approved the resolution by voice vote, authorizing the chairman to sign. Staff emphasized the declaration may not be needed if the storm spares the county, but that having the declaration in place preserves the county’s ability to seek reimbursement if necessary.
Next steps: the chairman is authorized to sign the resolution; staff will monitor the storm and, if necessary, document and submit expenses for FEMA consideration per the county’s emergency‑management procedures.
