Douglas County September flood victims filed 4,062 applications for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) assistance, resulting in more than $6 million in approved grants, according to information released after Monday’s FEMA filing deadline.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) approved 134 home loans in Douglas County, totaling $3,891,100, and 13 business loans, totaling $1,099,200. The SBA loan total was $4,990,300, according to Kathy Cook, SBA spokesperson.

These figures were revealed in a Tuesday morning joint GEMA (Georgia Emergency Management Agency) and FEMA media teleconference.

Nine Georgians died in the Sept. 20-23 flooding, including seven in Douglas County. The floods were fueled by a record rain downpour which topped 21 inches in 24 hours in parts of Douglas County.

Statewide, more than $53.2 million was awarded in FEMA grants and $44 million in SBA loans. More than 28,600 Georgians registered for federal assistance.

“The delivery of funds to thousands of disaster victims has been quick and efficient, despite the extraordinary impact of the September floods,” said Terry Ball, GEMA deputy state coordinating officer. “We thank our federal partners for helping Georgia communities get back on their feet.”

Gracia Szczech, head of FEMA’s flood recovery in Georgia, said more disaster dollars are on the way.

“Our teams will be here, working with GEMA, for as long as it takes to provide funding for cities and counties to rebuild the infrastructure that Georgians rely on every day,” Szczech said.

Ball said GEMA is currently in its hazard mitigation phase, looking at damaged properties to determine if they qualify for purchase with mitigation funds. He said these applications are due into GEMA by Jan. 19.

He said GEMA is also encouraging Georgians to buy flood insurance.

“Homeowners, renters and businesses can buy flood insurance in any of the 479 Georgia communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program,” Ball said.

The 17 Georgia counties included in the Sept. 24 federal disaster declaration included Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker.

Sixteen GEMA/FEMA disaster recovery centers were opened in Georgia, including two in Douglas County.