President Donald Trump declared a federal state of emergency in Georgia, the White House said Thursday, as Hurricane Michael left a trail of destruction across the state.
The action allows Georgia to tap into a slate of federal resources, including money, debris removal and protective measures aimed at supplementing state and local efforts.
Specifically, Trump’s designation authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide equipment and resources to the region.
Trump’s action came after Gov. Deal declared a state of emergency covering 92 counties in central and southern Georgia, including Augusta, Macon, Savannah and Columbus. He later expanded the designation to include an additional 16 counties and activated 1,500 Georgia National Guard troops.