Hurricane Helene
Major Disaster Declaration for Individual & Public Assistance
The Major Disaster Declaration provides Individual Assistance and Public Assistance to Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Glynn, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, Montgomery, Pierce, Rabun, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Telfair, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Washington, Wayne and Wheeler Counties.
The Declaration also provides Individual Assistance only to: Butts, Dodge, Elbert, Fulton, Hancock, McIntosh, Newton, Rabun, Thomas and Warren Counties, as well as Public Assistance only to Mitchell, Pulaski, Twiggs, Wilcox, Wilkinson and Worth 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.
Public Assistance can fund debris removal and emergency work on a public facility and may assist with funding for permanently restoring community infrastructure affected by a federally declared incident.
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.
There are several ways to apply:
- Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov
- Use the FEMA App
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362
The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such as Video Relay Service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
For more information on which counties are declared, please visit GEMA/HS Press Release page.
FEMA & SBA Recovery Centers
In response to the impacts of Hurricane Helene, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) have established Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) and Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) across the state to assist individuals and businesses in their recovery efforts. These centers provide guidance on applying for disaster assistance, including both Individual Assistance (FEMA) and Business Loans (SBA).
Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs)
Individuals impacted by the disaster can visit the following DRC locations for assistance:
County | Address | Hours of Operation |
---|---|---|
Coffee | The Atrium 114 N. Peterson Ave. Douglas, GA 31533 | Monday - Saturday: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. |
Lowndes | 4434 Forrest Street Extension Valdosta, GA 31605 | Monday - Saturday: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. |
Richmond | HUB for Community Innovation 631 Chafee Ave. Augusta, GA 30904 | Monday - Saturday: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. |
Washington | Sandersville School Building Authority 514 North Harris St. Sandersville, GA 31082 | Monday to Saturday: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. |
Business Recovery Centers (BRCs)
Business owners and individuals can apply for both SBA disaster loans and FEMA Individual Assistance at the following BRC locations:
County | Address | Hours of Operation |
---|---|---|
Lowndes | Turner Center for the Arts 601 N. Patterson Street Valdosta, GA 31601 | Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday: Closed |
Richmond | 3626 Walton Way Extension Suite 1, Augusta, GA 30909 | Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday: Closed |
For more information on how to apply for disaster assistance, visit FEMA.gov or contact the U.S. Small Business Administration at SBA.gov.
Portable Loan Outreach Center (PLOC)
In order to meet disaster survivors where they are, the SBA has opened a Portable Loan Outreach Center in Valdosta.
Lowndes County
McMullen Southside Library, 527 Griffin Avenue, Valdosta, GA 31601
- Hours: Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Saturday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Sunday: Closed
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.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits
D-SNAP
On Oct. 14, 2024, FNS approved the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) request to operate Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) in 50 counties due to the impact of Hurricane Helene that began on Sept. 24, 2024. The state will operate D-SNAP in four (4) phases and this approval is limited to the counties included in the phases. For more information, visit the USDA website.
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.
Local Emergency Management Agencies
If you need assistance, contact your local Emergency Management Agency. Click here to find the listing of all Georgia EMAs.
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/ |
Bulloch | https://www.bullochstrong.com |
Colquitt | https://secure.givelively.org/donate/united-way-of-colquitt-county/hurricane-helene-relief-fund |
Cook | https://www.unitedwayvaldosta.org/hurricane-helene |
Laurens | https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuild-dublinlaurens |
Lowndes | https://feedingsga.org/disaster/ |
Tift | Mail: United Way of South-Central Georgia PayPal: [email protected] |
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:
- 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
- FEMA Fraud and Internal Investigation Division