The Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security (GEMA), the Georgia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and Americorps Georgia thank the many volunteers who helped clean up areas devastated by deadly tornadoes over a week ago that killed 15 people, injured 143 others, and damaged more than 2,000 homes, according to preliminary reports.

"Georgia Volunteer Saturday" was held today in six hard-hit counties: Catoosa, Dade, Floyd, Lamar, Meriwether, and Spalding.

"On behalf of the local governments and disaster relief agencies that helped coordinate today’s effort, I sincerely thank all the volunteers who donated their time and effort to others by removing debris, raking yards, cutting trees, and assist with general clean up efforts. It was a huge success and a wonderful example of neighbors helping neighbors," said GEMA Director Charley English. 

GEMA/Homeland Security is the lead state agency for coordination of emergency and disaster response activities. For more information on GEMA, visit www.gema.ga.gov. To learn how to prepare for disaster and create a custom kit and plan, visit www.ready.ga.gov. For specific risks in your community, contact your local emergency management agency. Follow GEMA at www.twitter.com/georgiaema, www.facebook.com/gema.ohs, and www.youtube.com/ReadyGAfromGEMA.