Comment on The Latest: Georgia governor expands state of emergency

ALBANY, Ga. (AP) — The Latest on severe weather in the South (all times local): 12:15 p.m. Georgia’s governor is placing 16 counties under a state of emergency following weekend deadly storms. Gov. Nathan Deal expanded his emergency declaration Monday to include nine additional counties in southern Georgia. The declaration frees up state resources to assist storm victims. Covered areas include Dougherty, Cook, Brooks and Berrien counties, where apparent tornadoes are blamed for killing at least 15 people Sunday. Deal’s office said the governor plans to tour the storm damaged areas Wednesday. ___ 11:20 a.m. A local official in Georgia who represents an area hit hard by severe weather over the weekend has called on the federal government for help. Dougherty County Commission Chairman Christopher Cohilas said Monday that requests were being delayed by red tape.