H. Res. 765 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

September 23, 2009. 

Whereas the State of Georgia has been hit by days of unusually strong storms that have resulted in downpours and 

flooding, beginning on September 18, 2009; 

Whereas numerous Georgia rivers and creeks, including the 

Chattooga and Chattahoochee Rivers and Chickamauga 

Creek, swollen by days of rain, have overtopped their 

banks, creating a dangerous and deadly situation for 

nearby residents; 

Whereas the storms and floods have taken human lives; 

Whereas the floodwater has 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 have fallen in the metro-
2 

•HRES 765 EH 

politan Atlanta counties of Gwinnett, Douglas, and 

Paulding between September 18 and 21, 2009; 

Whereas the rains have broken a 130-year-old record at 

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport; 

Whereas hundreds of Georgians have been evacuated from 

their homes and over 300 people are seeking refuge in 

shelters; 

Whereas the Governor estimates that over 1,000 residences 

are seriously flooded; 

Whereas the weather has closed schools in several counties; 

Whereas as many as tens of thousands of people have been 

without power in metropolitan Atlanta; 

Whereas search and rescue operations are continuing in several counties where the water continues to rise; 

Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency has coordinated with local emergency personnel and has worked 

tirelessly to protect human lives and rescue those threatened by the floods; 

Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency continues to facilitate requests for assistance from citizens 

and first responders all across the State of Georgia; 

Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and 

other first responders have 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 has activated its national and regional response coordination 

centers and is working closely with the State of Georgia 

to monitor the response efforts and identify and respond 
3 

•HRES 765 EH 

to any immediate emergency needs for the citizens and 

communities of the State that are impacted by these devastating floods; and 

Whereas volunteers are giving their time to help ensure that 

evacuees are sheltered, clothed, fed, and comforted 

through this traumatic event: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) offers its deepest sympathy and condolences to 

the families of those who lost their lives in the flooding 

in the State of Georgia; 

(2) expresses its condolences to the families who 

lost their homes and other property in the floods; 

(3) expresses gratitude and appreciation to the people of the State of Georgia and the surrounding States, 

who continue to work to protect people from the still rising floodwaters; 

(4) expresses its support as the Federal Emergency 

Management Agency continues its efforts to respond to 

any needs of the citizens and communities affected by 

the flooding; and 
4 

•HRES 765 EH 

(5) honors the emergency responders, within and 

beyond metropolitan Atlanta and the State of Georgia, 

for their bravery and sacrifice during this tragedy. 

Attest: 

Clerk.