Ga. storm survivors have 2 weeks to apply for FEMA assistance

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Georgia survivors of Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Helene in the counties designated for individual assistance have just two weeks left to apply for FEMA assistance.

The application period for federal disaster assistance ends on Friday, Feb. 7.

Counties approved for assistance for Hurricane Helene are: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Butts, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Dodge, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Fulton, Glascock, Glynn, Hancock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, McIntosh, Montgomery, Newton, Pierce, Rabun, Richmond, Screven, Stephens, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Telfair, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wheeler and Wilkes.

Counties approved for assistance for Tropical Storm Debby are: Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Long and Screven.

If you had storm-related expenses and live or own a business in one of the listed counties, you are encouraged to apply for disaster assistance. FEMA assistance can provide grants, and the U.S. Small Business istration (SBA) may offer loans for temporary housing, home repairs and other disaster-related needs.

All FEMA disaster recovery centers in Georgia will reopen on Thursday after closing for two days due to the winter weather.

However, the center in McDuffie County is set to close permanently at 6 p.m. Saturday. Until then, it will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The recovery center is at this location: Thomson Depot, 111 Railroad St.

Residents can visit any open center. They can find the center closest to them by going online.

All of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Georgia disaster recovery centers closed Tuesday and Wednesday in anticipation of possible snow and ice.

The two-day closure came after a closure on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day but also as the deadline is nearing for Hurricane Hele victims to apply for assistance.

Survivors may visit any one of FEMA’s centers throughout the state to apply for assistance. To find center locations and hours, visit FEMA’s DRC Locator or text “DRC” and your ZIP code to 43362.

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The deadline to apply for aid is Jan. 28 in South Carolina, but Georgians have until Feb. 7.

For more information or to apply online with SBA. Additional information is also available by calling the Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or via email to [email protected].

You can apply for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply using the FEMA App for mobile devices or calling toll-free 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages. Survivors can also the Georgia Call Center Monday through Saturday at 678-547-2861 for assistance with their application.

To apply in person, visit a Disaster Recovery Center, where FEMA and SBA specialists can help you apply for assistance, documents, answer questions and provide information on available resources.

You may visit any open Disaster Recovery Center. For locations and hours, go online.

All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology.

For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for Individual Assistance - YouTube.

FEMA provides help to all disaster survivors, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. Our top priority is ensuring that disaster assistance is reaching people in need.

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