(ATLANTA) - The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), on behalf of Governor Sonny Perdue, is announcing the approval of a $272,100 project award to Chatham County for the acquisition of one property in the community of Wilmington Park which is subject to flood damage.

The grant is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant Program which provides funding to pay for projects designed to reduce or eliminate damage from potential flood disasters. FEMA will pay 75 percent of the total acquisition and demolition cost, with Chatham County covering the remaining 25 percent.

"We are pleased that the funding was available to take a common sense approach to reduce the risk from natural hazards," said GEMA Director Charley English. 
 For additional information on hazard mitigation, such as the various grant programs, initiatives and the purpose of each, contact GEMA toll-free at 1-800-TRY-GEMA or visit the GEMA Web site at www.gema.state.ga.us.