Wednesday, July 14, 1999 |
Think
it's wet? Alberto still leaving its mark five years later Residents may be growing weary of the number of rainy days this summer, but it's only a microcosm of what Fayette County and Georgia went through five years ago. This month marks the fifth anniversary of the state's drenching by Tropical Storm Alberto. The storm caused property losses to businesses and residences of nearly $1 billion and is the worst natural disaster in the state's history. For 22 days, a grid of interlocking pressure fronts caused the storm to stall over the state and deliver punishing amounts of rainfall. The storm killed 34 Georgians and did significant damage in 55 counties, including Fayette. Businesses suffered a huge loss. The Small Business Administration approved 4,481 disaster loans totalling $187 million for residents around the state. In Fayette County, emergency housing was provided for 101 residents. Total assistance from the federal government for helping county residents rebuild their lives amounted to $1.3 million. Georgians suffered an incredible amount of loss and damage during Alberto, said Gary McConnell, director of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. We know that every hurricane season brings the possibility of similar adversity. We're working every day to minimize that potential impact. |