OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Georgia Emergency Management Agency

MIKE SHERBERGER
DIRECTOR

NEWS RELEASE

                 OHS-GEMA Distributes Hazard Mitigation Funds to City of Albany

(Atlanta, GA) -The Office of Homeland Security-Georgia Emergency Management Agency     (OHS-GEMA), on behalf of Governor Sonny Perdue, recently reimbursed the City of Albany $153,557.30 for drainage improvements on Hogpen Ditch and the surrounding 20-acre pond.  These improvements will prevent flooding from the Flint River and the Kinchafoonee  Creek along Liberty Expressway and the entire length of Hogpen Ditch will be protected from riverine flooding events up through a 500-year event.

“We are so pleased that the funding was available to take a common sense approach in dealing with this repetitive flooding problem,” said OHS-GEMA Director Mike Sherberger.

The purpose of OHS-GEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is to provide funds to state agencies and local governments for projects that reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from the effects of natural hazards by breaking the repetitive cycle of destruction and reconstruction.

For additional information on hazard mitigation, such as the various grant programs, initiatives and the purpose of each, contact OHS-GEMA toll-free at 1-800-TRY-GEMA or visit the OHS-GEMA Web site at www.ohs.state.ga.us.