The State of Georgia, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration continue to support recovery efforts from Hurricane Irma, which caused widespread damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure.
Since the storm passed, affected survivors in designated counties (which include Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Coffee, Glynn, Liberty and McIntosh) have taken charge of their personal recovery:
- Nearly 44,000 people contacted FEMA for help and information on disaster assistance.
- More than 5,700 have stopped by a Disaster Recovery Center to get one-on-one help from state agencies, FEMA, SBA and nonprofit organizations.
As of close of business Nov. 13, 2017, homeowners, renters and businesses in Georgia have received about $46.5 million in federal disaster assistance, including:
- Nearly $26.8 million in flood insurance payments under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
- Nearly $12.2 million in federal grants to help with housing needs and to pay for uninsured or underinsured damage and personal property losses.
- Nearly $7.5 million in SBA disaster loans to help cover disaster-related expenses like structural repairs or replacement of personal property.
The deadline to register for federal disaster assistance and apply for a low-interest SBA disaster loan has passed (Nov. 14). You should stay in touch with FEMA if you have questions about a determination letter or have critical unmet needs.
Survivors can continue to visit the Disaster Recovery Center located at Ballard Park, Suite 102, 323 Old Jesup Road in Brunswick until Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 3pm. The remaining schedule is as follows:
- Nov. 15-17: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Nov. 18: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Nov. 20-21: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Nov. 22: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
You can also call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (Voice, 711 or VRS) or 800-462-7585 (TTY) to request a review of your application. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m.
to 11 p.m. ET, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available. Press 2 for Spanish; press 3 for other languages.
If you have questions about low-interest SBA disaster loans, call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or 800-877-8339 (TTY/TDD) or send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
FEMA may refer applicants who have unmet needs to voluntary organizations that assist disaster survivors. State and FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons are helping locals establish six Long Term Recovery Groups in Georgia. These LTRGs are part of an Irma Recovery Coalition to boost local recovery efforts and foster effective collaboration and coordination. LTRGs work individually with survivors on home repairs and reconstruction, fulfilling short-term food, clothing and shelter needs, and providing counseling services.
Georgians affected by Hurricane Irma can be assured that local, state, federal and certain nonprofit agencies will be here over the long haul. For updates on Georgia’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4338 and www.gema.ga.gov. On Twitter, follow @FEMARegion4 and @GeorgiaEMA.