Severe weather and flooding has caused a great deal of damage throughout Georgia. Currently, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens, Walker, Bartow, Coweta, and Heard counties have been added to the federal disaster declaration and are now eligible to receive federal assistance.
Residents and business owners in these counties who sustained losses can apply for Individual Assistance by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday.
Currently, the counties of Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Crawford, Dawson, DeKalb, Dooly, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Houston, Newton, Paulding, Peach, Rockdale, Stephens, Taylor, and Walker have been designated for Public Assistance from FEMA. This assistance provides funding to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for the repair or replacement of damaged facilities. Please contact FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) for more information.
The American Red Cross is providing shelter to those who have been affected by the floods. Please call 404-870-4440 or 1-800-RED-CROSS for shelter locations.
You can also find more information at Georgia's Emergency Management Agency site by visiting http://www.gema.ga.gov/ or calling (404) 635-7000 or 1-800-TRY-GEMA.
For disaster-related inquiries, including questions about drinking water, contact your local Emergency Management Agency office. A list of county offices can be found here. Click your area of the state and a list of local offices will appear.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has opened a Business Recovery Center to help businesses impacted by the severe storms and flooding. The center is operating out of the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce, located at 6658 Church Street in Douglasville.
Disaster loan information and application forms for businesses and non-profits damaged by the severe weather may be obtained by calling the SBA's Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT, or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.
Georgia Insurance Information Service: If you have damage and are insured, please contact your insurer. Be sure to provide information on where you can be reached if you leave home. If your home is safe, separate damaged from undamaged property and take photos of damaged property and floodwater levels.
Centers for Disease Control Has tips for reentering a flooded home.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission check out safety tips.
Go to www.georgiadisaster.info for assistance in dealing with the emotional toll of such events.
Check the Georgia Navigator for the latest information on state-supported road closures.
As always, please feel free to contact my office at 1-800-234-4208 should you need assistance in contacting any local or federal agency.
How You Can Help
The American Red Cross, Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter
Greatest need: Monetary donations.
Where to donate: www.atlantaredcross.org
Atlanta Community Food Bank
Greatest need: non-perishable food donations
Where to donate: Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 732 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd., N.W.
Atlanta or visit www.acfb.org
The United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta
Greatest need: Monetary donations. Volunteer opportunities still to be determined once flood damage assessment is complete.
Contact: Call 2-1-1 to learn how to donate and ways to help. Also visit www.unitedwayatlanta.org/
Atlanta Community Tool Bank
Greatest need: new and gently used tools that will be provided to groups involved in clean-up efforts.
Where to donate: Call 404.880.0054 ext. 12 or e-mail cj@toolbank.org to discuss donation as ACTB cannot accept some items. ACTB requires appointments prior to drop-off. Visit www.atlanta.toolbank.org
The Salvation Army, Metro Atlanta Area Command
Greatest need: Monetary donations to be used to buy supplies and provide gift cards to families in need.
Where to donate: www.uss.salvationarmy.org/