III 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 286 

Expressing condolences to the families of the individuals killed during unusual 

storms and floods in the State of Georgia between September 18 and 

September 21, 2009, and expressing gratitude to all of the emergency 

personnel who continue to work with unyielding determination to meet 

the needs of Georgia’s residents. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 24, 2009 

Mr. ISAKSON (for himself and Mr. CHAMBLISS) submitted the following 

resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing condolences to the families of the individuals 

killed during unusual storms and floods in the State 

of Georgia between September 18 and September 21, 

2009, and expressing gratitude to all of the emergency 

personnel who continue to work with unyielding determination to meet the needs of Georgia’s residents. 

Whereas beginning on September 18, 2009, the State of 

Georgia was hit by days of unusually strong storms that 

resulted in downpours and flooding; 

Whereas numerous Georgia rivers and creeks, including the 

Chattooga and Chattahoochee Rivers and the Chickamauga Creek, swollen by days of rain, overtopped their 


tjames on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
2 

•SRES 286 ATS 

banks, creating a dangerous and deadly situation for 

nearby residents; 

Whereas the storms and floods took human lives; 

Whereas the floodwater destroyed homes, flooded roadways, 

including major highways, compromised drinking water, 

severely damaged plumbing systems, and caused significant damage to homes and businesses; 

Whereas on September 21, 2009, Georgia Governor Sonny 

Perdue declared a state of emergency in 17 counties, including Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clayton, 

Cobb, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, 

Gwinnett, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens, and 

Walker Counties; 

Whereas the National Weather Service estimated that between 15 and 22 inches of rain fell in the metropolitan 

Atlanta counties of Gwinnett, Douglas, and Paulding between September 18 and September 21, 2009; 

Whereas the rains broke a 130-year-old record at HartsfieldJackson International Airport; 

Whereas hundreds of Georgians were evacuated from their 

homes, and more than 300 people sought refuge in shelters; 

Whereas Governor Perdue estimated that more than 1,000 

residences were seriously flooded; 

Whereas the weather closed schools in several counties; 

Whereas as many as tens of thousands of people were without 

power in metropolitan Atlanta; 

Whereas search and rescue operations functioned in several 

counties where the water continued to rise; 


tjames on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
3 

•SRES 286 ATS 

Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency coordinated with local emergency personnel and worked tirelessly to protect human lives and rescue those threatened 

by the floods; 

Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency facilitated requests for assistance from people and first responders all across the State of Georgia; 

Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and 

other first responders acted valiantly in life-safety response operations, including delivering sandbags and rescuing people trapped in their cars and homes from the 

floodwater; 

Whereas the Federal Emergency Management Agency activated its national and regional response coordination centers and worked closely with the State of Georgia to monitor the response efforts and identify and respond to any 

immediate emergency needs for the people and communities of the State that were impacted by the devastating 

floods; and 

Whereas volunteers gave their time to help ensure that evacuees were sheltered, clothed, fed, and comforted through 

this traumatic event: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) offers its deepest sympathy and condolences 

3 to the families of those who lost their lives in the 

4 flooding in the State of Georgia; 

5 (2) expresses its condolences to the families 

6 who lost their homes and other property in the 

7 floods; 


tjames on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
4 

•SRES 286 ATS 

1 (3) expresses gratitude and appreciation to the 

2 people of the State of Georgia and the surrounding 

3 States, who worked to protect people from the rising 

4 floodwaters; 

5 (4) expresses its support as the Federal Emer6 gency Management Agency responds to the needs of 

7 the people and communities affected by the flooding; 

8 and 

9 (5) honors the emergency responders, within 

10 and beyond metropolitan Atlanta and the State of 

11 Georgia, for their bravery and sacrifice during this 

12 tragedy. 

Æ 


tjames on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with BILLS