Terry Richards | The Valdosta Daily TimesResidents of Barney in Brooks County search the wreckage of a mobile home that was destroyed by a tornado Jan. 21. The elderly couple living there were killed.

ATLANTA — Several South Georgia counties slammed by deadly twisters in January have been approved for federal aid, Gov. Nathan Deal announced Wednesday.

The White House and the Federal Emergency Management Agency told the governor 11 counties hit by tornadoes Jan. 21-22 have been approved for individual assistance, Deal said.

The 11 counties include Baker, Brooks, Calhoun, Clay, Cook, Crisp, Dougherty, Thomas, Turner, Wilcox and Worth, according to the governor.

Before Wednesday, Baker, Brooks, Calhoun and Dougherty had been approved for public assistance to local governments and certain non-profit organizations, said Catherine Howden with the Georgia Emergency Managment Agency. Berrien had been approved for assistance to individuals, while Cook and Dougherty were cleared for both types of aid, she said.

Individuals should visit a FEMA disaster recovery center, where officials can help get the ball rolling for aid and emergency small business loans, Howden said. Help includes grants for temporary housing, rental assistance and home repairs and medical expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration may also be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance.

FEMA had already approved more than $1.25 million in aid for applicants from Berrien, Cook, Crisp, Dougherty and Wilcox counties, said Cheria Brown, FEMA spokeswoman.

Eight people died in Cook County when a trailer park near Adel was flattened.

An elderly couple died in Brooks County while another couple died in Berrien County. In all, 15 people in South Georgia were killed by tornadoes.

Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times.