Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane Helene Updates

General Hurricane Helene Resources...

• DisasterAssistance.gov | Residents of hurricane impacted areas can jumpstart their recovery by applying for assistance at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/.
  • This site helps individuals access Serious Needs Assistance for essential items like food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies, medication and other emergency supplies.
• USA.gov where you can find disaster relief and emergency government benefits | https://www.usa.gov/disasters-and-emergencies
  • Hurricane Helene Specific Resources | https://www.usa.gov/hurricane-helene

Highlighted Federal, State, and Local Resources...

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

• Resources | https://www.fema.gov/disaster/current/hurricane-helene
• Rumor Response | https://www.fema.gov/disaster/current/hurricane-helene/rumor-response

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

• Filing & Payment Relief, Additional Tax Relief, and More | https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-provides-relief-for-helene-various-deadlines-postponed-to-may-1-2025-part-or-all-of-7-states-qualify

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Disaster assistance programs are available for residents and counties even without the official disaster designation.

• Farm Service Agency | https://www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/disaster-tool
• Natural Resources Conservation Service (for water quality, livestock, soil erosion, and related issues) | https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/disaster-recovery
• Rural Development | https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/rural-development-disaster-assistance

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

• Disaster Assistance for Veterans | https://www.osp.va.gov/VA_Disaster_Assistance_to_Veterans_Brochure_2018.pdf
• Fraud Prevention Tips | https://www.va.gov/files/2024-09/disaster-flyer-final-090624_2.pdf
• And support resources like the Veterans Crisis Line and the VA Employee Assistance Program.

Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA)

• General State of the Emergency Webpage | https://gema.georgia.gov/hurricane-helene
• State of Georgia Damage Assessment | https://damage-assessment-gema-soc.hub.arcgis.com/

General Hurricane Preparedness and Disaster Relief Information

• How to prepare before, what to do during, and things to know in the aftermath of a hurricane
• Additional federal and Georgia resources

The Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1 and runs through November 30. Middle and Southwest Georgia have been hit by hurricanes, including the devastating Hurricane Michael (2018). These extreme weather events have been increasing in number and intensity in the past years, causing billions of dollars of damage for families, businesses, and communities across the United States.

In order to properly prepare for any damage that may occur, as well as how to recover from these potential storms, it is important to know about and have access to the wide variety of resources available to you.

The National Weather Service in Corpus Christi is hosting a series of Hurricane Preparedness Talks. Topics for discussion will include what you can expect for the upcoming hurricane season, how to prepare, and a brief overview of any current activity in the tropics. The town halls will conclude with a short question and answer session with National Weather Service meteorologists. You can view the schedule of events by and register for virtual town halls by visiting the talk series webpage.

The U.S. Forest Service also hosted a week of awareness to get prepared for the 2024 hurricane season. You can visit their webpage to learn more.

During storm season it is important to pay attention to updates from the local media outlets. Also, contact my office with any needs or concerns you may have: Albany (229) 439-8067, Columbus (706) 320-9477, and Macon (478) 803-2631. If any of our district offices are ever required to evacuate, you can always reach my staff in our Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-3631.

What should you do before a hurricane?

Have a plan. The best way to minimize your danger and potential for damage is to be prepared by having a plan in place and knowing what resources are available to you at the local, state, and federal level.

Understanding the vulnerabilities of your residence to a hurricane - the storm surge, flooding, and winds - is also important.

Read more about what you should know and how you can plan at ready.gov or weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan.

What do you do when a hurricane storm is present?

As a hurricane approaches, your preparation is key but how you act in the moment is also important.

Secure your residence and be sure to have the ability to tune into emergency information services - even if the power goes out.

Be familiar with your evacuation route in case it is required.

Learn more about how you can improve your safety during a hurricane at weather.gov/safety/hurricane-action.

What can you do after a hurricane?

If you happen to be evacuated before/during the hurricane, it is important to know how to return home safely and how to keep tuned in for emergency information and updates.

Remember, even if your immediate vicinity is relatively unharmed during the storm, surrounding communities or routes vital to serving your area may be impacted.

What are some things to consider in the aftermath of a hurricane? You can read more at weather.gov/safety/hurricane-after.

How does the federal government get involved in the aftermath of a hurricane?

Should the U.S. President declare a major disaster, resources may become available to communities through FEMA. Learn more on FEMA's website about the process by which a disaster is declared and the types of assistance that may be available if so.

Additional Resources

Some Tips to Be Prepared

• Properly protect your windows. Bring in lawn items - like furniture, toys, trash cans, etc. - that can fly through windows.
• Know how to shut off utilities. Know where gas pilots are located and how your heating and cooling systems work.
• Know your evacuation routes and contraflow procedures.
• Make sure you have important personal documents like Social Security cards, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, and birth/marriage certificates ready to move and protected from the elements. Make a record of these documents and all valuable possessions.
• Have your automobile fully fueled. This is important not only in case of an evacuation, but also in case the storm impacts the ability of local fuel stations to operate in the storm's aftermath (because of damage or loss of power).
• Have food/water, medical supplies, emergency power/batteries and other supplies necessary to survive on your own for a few days, just in case.
• If you are receiving public benefits (e.g. Social Security, Veterans Benefits, etc.) you may wish to consider direct deposit so that you can continue to receive them in the event that your residence is inaccessible in the aftermath of the storm.

Georgia Information and Resources

Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA) | Storms & Disasters as well as Hurricanes, specifically.

Georgia Department of Public Health | Before, During, and After a Hurricane

Federal Department and Agency Information and Resources

U.S. Department of Agriculture

• Rural Development (RD) | Rural Development Disaster Assistance
• RD | Disaster Assistance Resource Guide (a PDF booklet)
• Farm Service Agency (FSA) | Disaster Assistance Programs
• FSA | Disaster Assistance Programs at a Glance (a PDF booklet)
• FSA | Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool (an interactive tool)
• Climate Hub | Hurricane Preparation and Recovery Guides for Georgia Producers

U.S. Department of Commerce

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) | National Hurricane Preparedness
• NOAA | National Hurricane Center
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) | How to prepare for hurricane season 2022 and avoid storm-related scams

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

• Administration for Strategic Preparedness & Response | The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) | Hurricane Planning and Response
• FEMA | Flood Resilience for Homeowners, Renters, and Business Owners
• FEMA | Mobile Products (to download the FEMA App which allows you to see real-time weather alerts, send notifications to loved ones, locate emergency shelters in your area, and more)

Also, FEMA is the managing partner of the Disaster Assistance Improvement Program (www.DisasterAssistance.gov). DAIP's mission is to provide disaster survivors with information, support, services, and a means to access and apply for disaster assistance through joint data-sharing efforts between federal, tribal, state, local, and private sector partners.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

• HUD | Hurricane Assistance and Recovery
• HUD | Disaster Relief Options for FHA Homeowners
• HUD | Disaster Resources

U.S. Department of the Interior

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | Preparing for and Recovering from Hurricanes

U.S. Department of Labor

• Employment and Training Administration (ETA) | Disaster Unemployment Assistance
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) | Hurricane Preparedness and Response

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

• SBA | Office of Disaster Assistance

U.S. Department of the Treasury

• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) | Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief for Individuals and Businesses