Eutaw, AL – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) visited Hale and Greene Counties where she toured the damage resulting from the January 12th storms and hosted two disaster relief roundtables with FEMA, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (EMA), and local Hale, Greene, and Sumter County officials.

“As your representative, I have made it my mission to ensure that our communities get the resources they need to rebuild better and stronger than before,” said Rep. Sewell. “To that end, strengthening our lines of communication and forging partnerships between every level of government are paramount. That’s why I spent the day surveying the damage and hosting disaster relief roundtables here in Hale and Greene Counties.” 

“Thanks to our tireless advocacy, additional federal assistance has been granted and is on its way to those who need it,” continued Sewell. “To those affected, know that you are not alone. So long as there is a need, our federal, state, and local officials will continue to band together to offer relief.”

Tuesday morning, Rep. Sewell brought together representatives from FEMA, Alabama EMA Director Jeff Smitherman, and local officials for a Hale County Disaster Relief Roundtable at Akron City Hall to discuss the latest in the recovery process. She then traveled to Greene County where she was joined by State Representative Curtis Travis and Eutaw Mayor Latasha Johnson for a driving tour of the storm damage. Following the tour, Rep. Sewell hosted a Disaster Relief Roundtable at Eutaw City Hall which brought together local officials from Greene and Sumter Counties including Sumter County Commission Chairman Marcus Campbell and Sumter County EMA Director Margaret Gulley. Sewell and officials then held a press conference with representatives from both Greene and Sumter County EMAs and local stakeholders. 

Today’s updates by the Congresswoman represent the latest in an ongoing federal, state, and local partnership to recover and rebuild in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District following the January 12th storms. On January 26, Rep. Sewell led the Alabama Congressional Delegation in a letter urging President Biden to increase the federal cost share for the FEMA Public Assistance program for debris removal and emergency protective measures to 100%. This request was granted by President Biden on Thursday, February 9. 

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. After an event like a hurricane, tornado, earthquake or wildfire, communities need help to cover their costs for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, and restoring public infrastructure. More information on the FEMA Public Assistance program can be found here. 

The Federal Cost Share relates only to public assistance provided to governmental entities and nonprofits and does not include individual assistance. Uninsured individuals in the designated areas can apply for individual assistance by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), downloading the FEMA App, or visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov. The deadline to apply for individual assistance is March 16, 2023. 

Photos and videos from today’s events can be found here.