More than 1,400 trees removed in Tornado Assistance Program | News

The results of the program were presented to the Coweta County Board of Commissioners at its Tuesday night meeting by Coweta County e-911 Director Michael Terrell and EMA Coordinator Nic Burgess

Terrell said to have a tree removed, the homeowner’s property must be in the path of the tornado determined by the National Weather Service, the tornado must damage the tree, and all eligible trees must be within 125 feet of the residence.

According to Burgess, more than 500 applicants participated in the registration process for tree removal, and 378 went through the full process.

“(The trees) ranged in size,” Burgess said. “We had trees that were four feet around to a foot around, but they were all, in some shape or form, affected by the tornado and were an issue for the homeowner.”

The program received funding from the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency and the American Rescue Plan Act—$1 million from the former and $380,928.50 from the latter.

“This is an extremely unique program we couldn’t find another one like this in the State of Georgia where we were able to go out and remove trees on property that was privately owned, where the government was able to do that and help out,” Terrell said.

At the meeting, the commissioners also:

Read proclamations for Senior Hunger Awareness Month, National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and Safe Digging Month.

Approved a package beer and wine license for M Food Mart at 870 Highway 16 E.

Approved full-depth reclamation and plant mix resurfacing for various subdivision streets and county roads.

Approved an easement…