Infrastructure damaged but only 20% of homes insured
Flooding in north Georgia caused $250m worth of damage to property and tens of millions of dollars damage to infrastructure, the state insurance commissioner John Oxendine has said.
“I spent some time surveying damage in affected areas of our state this afternoon, and I believe the damage total will easily reach $250m,” Oxendine said. “Many of the homeowners afflicted by this event don’t have flood insurance.”
Reuters said Oxendine has estimated only 20% of homes would be insured.
Interstate damaged
Reuters also reported that parts of the I-20 interstate highway that runs through downtown Atlanta were closed through the Wednesday morning rush hour and at least 20 bridges, including some over the highway, appeared damaged.
"There was a lot of water pressure building up on those bridges and that's a major concern," said Oxendine who based his damage estimate on an aerial inspection.
Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue asked President Barack Obama on Tuesday to declare a state of emergency for Georgia.
Call for aid
The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency is considering a request for aid.
The Chattahoochee river broke its banks and several smaller creeks and tributaries through the city had water levels rising up to seven metres.
