Hurricane Helene

Major Disaster Declaration for Individual & Public Assistance

The Major Disaster Declaration provides Individual Assistance and Public Assistance (Categories A and B) to Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Lowndes, McDuffie, Montgomery, Pierce, Rabun, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Telfair, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Washington, and Wheeler Counties. 

The Declaration also provides Individual Assistance only to: Bryan, Butts, Camden, Charlton, Elbert, Glynn, Long, Newton, Rabun and Wayne Counties.

Individual Assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, immediate housing and food needs, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene. 

How to Apply for IA

Public Assistance programs available in the Major Disaster Declaration are currently limited to assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Eligible applicants include state and local government entities and qualified non-profit (PNP) organizations.  

Individuals in these designated counties can apply for assistance in any of the following ways: 

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
  • Calling 1-800-621-3362
  • People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.

For more information on which counties are declared, please visit GEMA/HS Press Release page.

State of Emergency

Governor Kemp has extended the State of Emergency for all 159 counties in Georgia in response to impending Tropical Storm Helene. Click here to see the executive order. 

Tropical Storm Helene SOE graphic

Sheltering and Feeding Locations

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross has opened shelters in several hurricane-stricken areas. To view the listing, click here.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army has established several sites in various hurricane-stricken areas today, offering meals to those in need. Please click here to view the listing.

Points of Distribution (PODs)

Several points of distribution have been established throughout the state. Individuals in the affected areas are encouraged to come to pick up essential items. The following list will be continuously updated.

CountyLocations
Atkinson
Willacoochee City Hall, 33 Fleetwood Ave. West, Willacoochee, GA
Atkinson Co. Fire Station, 33 Austin Ave. West, Pearson, GA
Berrien 
800 Tifton Rd., Nashville, GA 31639
8110 Main St., Ray City, GA 31645
22281 Main St. Railroad St., Alapaha, GA 31622
324 S. Main, St Enigma, GA 31749
Burke
277 GA-24, South Waynesboro, GA 30830
Columbia
1000 Market Street, Evans, GA 30809
5445 Columbia Road, Grovetown, Georgia 30813
Patriot Park, 5445 Columbia Road, Grovetown, GA 30813
Liberty Park Community Center, 1040 Newmantown Rd., Grovetown, GA 30813
Lanier 
28 South Valdosta Hwy, Lakeland, GA 31635 
Richmond
4335 Windsor Spring Rd., Hephzibah, GA 30815
1631 Gordon Hwy, Augusta, GA 30906
535 Telfair St., Augusta, GA 30901
Telfair
181 East Oak St, McRae-Helena, GA 31055
65 Main St Lumber City GA, 31549
Toombs
First Baptist Church, 107 E Second Street, Vidalia, GA 30474
Southeastern Technical College, 3001 East 1st Street, Vidalia, GA 30474
Treutlen
4145 Fowler St., Soperton, GA 
Wilkes
304 Norman St, Washington, GA 30673

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits

Replacement SNAP

Georgia residents in Hurricane Helene's affected areas who received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in September can report food lost due to power outages related to the Hurricane. To report losses click here.

Report Damages

Should you have damages to your home, business, or any other property, it's important to report them promptly. You can do so by visiting https://damage-assessment-gema-soc.hub.arcgis.com/ and selecting the Report Damage button. Alternatively, you can scan the QR code provided for hassle-free reporting.

Crisis Cleanup

Crisis Cleanup is a collaborative disaster work order management platform that improves coordination, reduces duplication of efforts, improves efficiency, and improves volunteers' experience.

If you need assistance cleaning damages from Hurricane Helene, call the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 844-965-1386.

CC HH English
CC HH Spanish

Local Emergency Management Agencies

If you need assistance, contact your local Emergency Management Agency. Click here to find the listing of all Georgia EMAs.

Locating Loved Ones

Family Walking together

Family and friends of people in the disaster-affected areas are urged to check social network sites for information about their loved ones. They may also check in with the American Red Cross Safe and Well program at https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/contact-and-locate-loved-ones.html to let family members know they are safe or looking for loved ones.

Donations 

Monetary

If you'd like to contribute financially to support the individuals in Georgia impacted by Hurricane Helene, we have compiled a list of counties where your donations will be greatly appreciated.

County Foundation/ organizations 
Bryan, Chatham, 
Effingham, Liberty, Long
https://uwce.org/disaster-relief/
Bullochhttps://www.bullochstrong.com 
Colquitt https://secure.givelively.org/donate/united-way-of-colquitt-county/hurricane-helene-relief-fund
Cookhttps://www.unitedwayvaldosta.org/hurricane-helene
Laurenshttps://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuild-dublinlaurens
Lowndes https://feedingsga.org/disaster/
Tift

Mail: United Way of South-Central Georgia
Post Office Box #557 Tifton, Georgia 31794

PayPal: [email protected]

CashApp: $UnitedWayTiftonGa

Non-Perishable Items

For organizations and agencies that are interested in providing in-kind donations in response to Hurricane Helene, click https://forms.office.com/g/fih30v8WGV and fill out the application form.   

Individual Volunteer Survey

For individuals wishing to volunteer to help in Hurricane Helene's recovery efforts, click https://forms.office.com/g/wu90BNWPhh fill out the application form and an organization will reach out to you.

Report Fraud, Waste, Abuse, or Mismanagement in Disaster Relief Operations

If you, as an applicant or state partner, have knowledge of fraud, waste, abuse, or allegations of mismanagement related to disaster relief operations, you can report it directly to FEMA or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). You may choose to request confidentiality or submit your complaint anonymously.

How to Report:
  1. FEMA Fraud Branch:
    • Email: [email protected]
    • Fax: (202) 212-4926
    • Mail:
      • FEMA Fraud and Internal Investigation Division
        400 C Street SW
        Mail Stop 3005
        Washington, DC 20472-3005