January 12 Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds and Tornadoes

Major Disaster Declared for Seven Counties, Individual and Public Assistance Available

Governor Brian Kemp has announced residents in seven Georgia counties affected by January 12 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes are now eligible to apply for disaster assistance. The disaster declaration covers Butts, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Spalding and Troup Counties for individual and public assistance.

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, visit gema.georgia.gov/press-releases/2023-01-17/major-disaster-declared-seven-counties-individual-and-public-assistance.

FEMA Dec 1.16.23

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers

FEMA disaster recovery centers are open to provide one-on-one assistance to people directly affected by the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes.

Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications.

People directly affected by the severe storms may visit the recovery center or apply with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362. 

Disaster Recovery Center

Butts County
Daughtry Park/Recreation Center
576 Earnest Biles Dr.
Jackson, GA 30233

Hours of Operation
Monday through Sunday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Henry County
Locust Grove Recreation Center
10 Cleveland Street
Locust Grove, GA 30248

Hours of Operation
Monday through Sunday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Jasper County
New Rocky Creek Baptist Church
190 Rocky Creek Rd.
Mansfield, GA 30055

Hours of Operation
Monday through Saturday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Sunday: Closed

Meriwether County
West Georgia Technical College
17529 Roosevelt Hwy.
Greenville, GA 30222

Hours of Operation
Monday through Sunday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Newton County 
Bert Adams Scout Camp
Ashley Leaders Center
218 Scout Rd.
Covington, GA 30016

Hours of Operation
Monday through Sunday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Spalding County
Spalding County Senior Center
885 Memorial Dr.
Griffin, GA 30223

Hours of Operation
Monday through Sunday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Troup County
William J. Griggs Community Center
716 Glenn Roberson Dr.
LaGrange, GA 30241

Hours of Operation
Monday through Sunday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

SBA Disaster Assistance Available for Affected Georgia Counties

Businesses and residents affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes on January 12 in the seven counties can now apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

SBA currently has three Business Recovery Centers open to assist Georgians applying for SBA disaster loan assistance. To apply online, visit https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/.

Business Recovery Center

Henry County
Locust Grove Public Library
115 MLK Jr Blvd.
Locust Grove, GA 30248

Hours of Operation
Monday and Thursday: noon to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed: Sunday

Jasper County
New Rocky Creek Baptist Church
190 Rocky Creek Road
Mansfield, GA 30055

Hours of Operation
Monday and Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed: Sunday

Newton County
Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center
Mobley Hall
720 FFA FHA Camp Rd
Covington, GA 30014

Hours of Operation
Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed: Sunday

Spalding County
Spalding Senior Center
885 Memorial Drive
Griffin, GA 30223

Hours of Operation
Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed: Sunday

Troup County
William Griggs Recreation Center
716 Glenn Robertson Drive
LaGrange, GA 30241

Hours of Operation
Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed: Sunday

Insurance Disaster Claims Tips

Below are a few tips to keep in mind when dealing with your insurance during a disaster.

  • While a standard homeowner's insurance policy covers damage from high winds and tornadoes, it does not cover damage from flooding. A separate policy must be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program, and can only be purchased if your community participates in the national program. However, a standard mobile home policy can cover damage caused by floods. Check your policy.
  • Make a list of all valuables, furniture, electronics, etc., and photograph or videotape your possessions. Keep copies of the list, photographs and videotape in a safe place outside your home, such as a safe deposit box. If your home is damaged or destroyed in a natural disaster, it may be difficult for you to tell your insurance agent what you lost without proof.
  • Keep your insurance policy numbers and your agent's phone number in a safe place as well.

For more information, please visit oci.georgia.gov/safety-tips-severe-weather.

Disaster Insurance Forms and Documents

Reporting Damages

Residents that receive damage from Hurricane Ian should report their damages through this portal. It is designed to allow for Georgia citizens to self-report damages to their homes, businesses, and public facilities. This information can be used by GEMA in order to visualize and summarize damage assessments as they are collected by the public. The information submitted through this form still needs to be verified by local, state, and federal emergency management officials before determining whether damage caused by a natural or man-made disaster exceeds State or Federal declaration thresholds. Please visit FEMA's Individual Assistance Web Page for more info regarding Individual Assistance. Visit GEMA's Public Assistance Web Page for more information regarding Public Assistance. You may report damages here.

Crisis Cleanup Hotline

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

Citizens, EMAs, and nonprofit partners can report services like chainsaw work by calling the Crisis Cleanup phone number 470-201-5701 or visiting blog.crisiscleanup.org.

Crisis Cleanup

Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters

Many partner organizations work in coordination with Crisis Clean-up or local officials to accept work tasks. Here is a list of VOAD resources available in Georgia.

Volunteer and Donations

The Spalding County tornado donations/distribution center is below.

        City Church 
        220 E. Solomon Street
        Griffin, GA

Butts and Henry Counties are forwarding donations and spontaneous volunteers to the Spalding County Call Center. You may reach them by calling 678-453-4508. For more information, visit https://www.spaldingcounty.com/griffin-spalding-tornado-relief-fund/.