Robin and I continue to pray for the district in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. We are continuing to navigate and assess the widespread damage, and thank you to all who are doing their part to help our neighbors and friends.
As we continue to assess the damage, I will be in touch with more information as soon as it becomes available regarding individual assistance. I joined the full Georgia Congressional Delegation in sending an urgent letter to the White House supporting Governor Brian Kemp’s request for an expedited Major Disaster Declaration for Georgia.
In the letter, we write: “State officials assess that the damage in many Georgia communities is of such severity and magnitude that effective response will be beyond the capabilities of the state and affected local governments… This major disaster declaration will provide a range of important federal assistance programs in the counties impacted by Hurricane Helene, including funds for both individuals and public infrastructure... We encourage your team to promptly consider Governor Kemp's request for a major disaster declaration, and we stand ready to work with you and your Administration to support these critical recovery efforts in Georgia.”
While we wait for a determination from President Biden on the Major Disaster Declaration, I wanted to take a moment to send you some information and resources.
Georgia Power and Georgia EMC are doing their best to restore power to the district. Georgia Power announced an estimated restoration timeline for much of the state yesterday. For the most up-to-date information regarding Georgia Power’s estimated restoration times, please check their outage map: https://outagemap.georgiapower.com. Georgia EMC is also working to restore power and their outage map can be found at http://www.georgiaemc.com/outages.
Georgia Emergency Management Agency has helpful information to report damages and for crisis cleanup.
If you have damage to your home, business or property, please report them at https://damage-assessment-gema-soc.hub.arcgis.com/.
If you need assistance cleaning up damages, please contact the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 844-965-1386, where you will be connected with local groups and organizations who may be able to help.
Find helpful resources from GEMA here: Gema.georgia.gov/hurricane-helene. If you need additional help, please contact your local EMA at https://gema.georgia.gov/locations.
To learn more about FEMA's current efforts, please click here.
Find open shelters and disaster relief services from American Red Cross here: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html.
Sadly, I’ve heard reports of widespread crop damage. Georgia Department of Agriculture is assisting, and has helpful tips here: https://agr.georgia.gov/hurricane-response-helene. Per their website, you can report Hurricane Helene damage on their online reporting form or e-mail Helene@agr.georgia.gov. Georgia Department of Agriculture's Emergency Response Hotline is 1-855-491-1432.
Please stay safe in the aftermath of this storm. I am staying in constant contact with my state and local partners to work through the damage we’ve seen.
As always, my office is here to help. If you'd like to email me, please click here.
To contact one of our district offices, please click here.
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Sincerely,
Rick Allen
Member of Congress
