On Saturday, State Representative Barbara Reece met with Georgia’s Emergency Management Agency Director Charlie English to discuss needs in the Floyd County area as a result of recent storms.  A small group of local officials including Rome Mayor Evie McNeice, Cave Spring Mayor Rob Ware, Floyd Commission Chairman Eddie Lumsden, County Manager Kevin Poe, and Floyd Emergency Management Director Scot Hancock discussed damage estimates and ways to expedite cleanup operations and provide services to those who have property losses. 

 Afterwards, the group drove to Chubb Road which sustained heavy damage to buildings and timber.  They viewed several damaged and destroyed homes and talked with families who survived the storm and are now sorting through the wreckage. 

According to Representative Reece, 413 homes were damaged.  Of those, 36 were totally destroyed.  "We were fortunate to have only eight people injured and no fatalities," she said. "The damage is widespread reaching from the Bartow County line, across Cave Spring, then through Rome and into the Armuchee area."

"Citizens in the Cave Spring and Armuchee area have inquired about an extension for burning limbs and debris," she explained.  "Director English told us that EPD and Governor Deal are expected to approve an extension early this week."  This extension would only apply to counties in the disaster declaration.  The annual state wide ban on burning became effective on Sunday, May 1st.

Both Governor Deal and President Obama have designated Floyd County a disaster area.

This designation allows citizens and local governments to apply for federal and state assistance for disaster related losses and cleanup expenses.  A Disaster Relief Center is located at 300 West 3rd Street across from Barron Stadium.  The Center will be staffed by local governments and FEMA personnel who will assist those who experienced losses.