Gov. Nathan Deal said Monday he will visit storm-ravaged counties in South Georgia on Wednesday, and that President Donald Trump assured him the federal government stands ready to assist.

Speaking to the Georgia Municipal Association’s annual Mayors’ Day breakfast, Deal said “our hearts and minds and prayers should be with those families and individuals in parts of our state that have been severely hurt.”

Deal said he will wait until Wednesday to allow search and rescue efforts to continue.

At least 16 people died in Georgia over the weekend from tornadoes and other serve storms. 

“It is a very serious and difficult time, especially associated with the loss of life that has occurred in the last couple days,” the governor said.

Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach reports.

“He was concerned about the tornadoes and damage and loss of life that occurred in our state,” Deal said.

Trump said “he'll be waiting in the event we ask for a federal emergency declaration and I assured him that at this point the numbers and a damage would justify such a request,” Deal said. “We will hopefully receive assistance for those areas.”

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