HURRICANE MICHAEL

GEMA/HS is coordinating with state, local, federal, and private sector partners to provide support throughout the affected areas.

Residents should contact their county emergency management agencies for additional resources that may be available in their area. This information can be found at the following link and clicking on your county: http://www.gema.ga.gov/Pages/Georgia-Map.aspx

Individual Assistance

Residents in Baker, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Miller and Seminole counties can now apply for individual assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov/ or by calling 1-800-621-3362.

​​Food and Water
Food and water distributions can be found here. This document is constantly changing, so continue to check back for more updates.

Shelters

Safety Information

• For a list of official boil water advisories, visit the Environmental Protection Division's website. 
• GFC has resumed issuing burn permits in all but 17 Georgia counties under state of emergency. Permits still temporarily suspended in Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Crisp, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Randolph, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, and Worth. 

Reporting Damages 

• Georgia citizens can self-report damages of their homes, businesses and public facilities here. This information can be used by GEMA/HS to visualize and summarize damage assessments, but citizens will still need to apply for assistance through www.disasterassistance.gov/.
  

Cleanup

• Photograph/video damages before you start cleaning up. Contact your insurance company for assistance. File an insurance claim.

Charging stations

Verizon Wireless has two charging stations available in Albany. They are located at 1100 N. Westover Blvd. and 100 W. Oglethorpe Blvd.

There is also a power charging station in Donalsonville located at 301 Wiley Avenue.

Several cell carriers are offering free call, text and data usage for hurricane survivors. Please check with your carrier for more information.  

SNAP Benefits

DFCS has released the October allotment of food stamp benefits to all Georgia residents. SNAP recipients can now access their benefits.  Georgians who have trouble using their EBT cards should call 1-888-421-3281.

For more information, visit the Division of Family and Children Services' website.

How to Help

In the aftermath of the storm, neighbors helping neighbors is a crucial step in the recovery process. 

• Cash donations to trusted organizations like those working through Georgia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is the most effective way to provide assistance to those in need. Find a list of responding organizations that would greatly appreciate your donation at https://gavoad.communityos.org.
• Do not send or deliver donations unless they were explicitly requested by responding organizations. Offer donated goods at https://www.nvoad.org/ or by emailing offersdesk@redcross.org.
• If you would like to volunteer, do not self-deploy. Visit https://www.nvoad.org/  or contact an organization directly to offer your service. 
• If you work for a statewide nonprofit organization that has a focus on disaster relief, we invite you to become a part of Georgia VOAD. Email gastatevoad@gmail.com with a description of your services to get involved.