As we respond to Hurricane Irma, I want to share some important information. I will continue to share updated information. Please share this with your family and friends who may find it useful. Please continue to monitor local radio and TV stations for updated emergency information, and follow the instructions of state and local officials.
Disaster Recovery Centers
FEMA has opened Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Chatham, Camden, Glynn and Liberty Counties.
Representatives are available at the DRC to assist with questions and the application process for direct federal assistance for residents and businesses in addition to assisting with applications for low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, businesses, and renters, and answering questions related to specific cases.
The DRCs are located at:
Chatham County
Tybee Island YMCA Gym
202 5th Street
Tybee Island, GA 31328
Camden County
Camden County Recreation Center
1050 Wildcat Boulevard
Kingsland, GA 31548
Glynn County
Ballard Park Complex
Suite 102
323 Old Jesup Road
Brunswick, Ga. 31520
Liberty County
Liberty County Community Complex
9397 E. Oglethorpe Hwy.
Midway, GA 31320
Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Additional centers in our area are expected to be announced.
Individual Assistance
New federal recovery resources are now available for residents in Camden, Chatham, Charlton, Glynn, Liberty, and McIntosh Counties that were affected by Hurricane Irma.
Individuals in Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Glynn, Liberty, and McIntosh Counties can register with FEMA the following ways:
- Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Constituents may call the registration phone number at 1-800-621-3362; those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.
Tax Relief
Residents and businesses in the entire state of Georgia now have until January 31, 2018, to file certain individual and business tax returns, as well as other tax relief measures.
According to the IRS, this relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines for Georgia taxpayers that occurred starting on September 7, 2017. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until January 31, 2018, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period.
The IRS automatically provides filing and penalty relief to any taxpayer with an IRS address of record located in the disaster area. Thus, taxpayers do not need to contact the IRS to get this relief.
For more information click here and here. You can also call 866-562-5227.
Housing
Redidents in Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Glynn, Libery, and McIntosh Counties now qualify for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assistance.
HUD is:
- Granting immediate foreclosure relief – HUD granted a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and forbearance on foreclosures of Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured home mortgages.
- Making mortgage insurance available – HUD's Section 203(h) program provides FHA insurance to disaster victims who have lost their homes and are facing the daunting task of rebuilding or buying another home. Borrowers from participating FHA-approved lenders are eligible for 100 percent financing, including closing costs.
- Making insurance available for both mortgages and home rehabilitation – HUD's Section 203(k) loan program enables those who have lost their homes to finance the purchase or refinance of a house along with its repair through a single mortgage. It also allows homeowners who have damaged houses to finance the rehabilitation of their existing single-family home.
For additional HUD disaster resources, click here.
After the Storm
- Listen to local officials for updates and instructions.
- Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media.
- Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
- Watch out for debris and downed power lines.
- Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of fast-moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- Avoid flood water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines and may hide dangerous debris or places where the ground is washed away.
- Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines. Report electrical hazards to the police and the utility company.
- Be especially careful during a loss of electrical power, as the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and fire increases at that time.
- Never use a generator inside a home, basement, shed or garage even if doors and windows are open.
- If using candles, please use caution. If possible, use flashlights instead. If you must use candles, do not burn them on or near anything that can catch fire.
- Never taste food or rely on appearance or odor to determine its safety. Some foods may look and smell fine, but if they have been at room temperature too long, bacteria causing food-borne illnesses can start growing quickly. Some types of bacteria produce toxins that cannot be destroyed by cooking.
- Photograph the damage to your property in order to assist in filing an insurance claim.
- Do what you can to prevent further damage to your property, (e.g., putting a tarp on a damaged roof), as insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storm.
For more information, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.
Important Information for the Days Ahead
For information regarding conditions and services in local areas, contact your local emergency management agency:
Bacon: 912-632-7979
Brantley: 912-462-7874
Bryan: 912-858-2799
Camden: 912-729-5602
Charlton: 912-469-1081
Chatham: 912-201-4500
Clinch: 912-487-3700
Echols: 229-559-8500
Effingham: 912-754-8888
Glynn: 912-554-7826
Liberty: 912-368-2201
Long: 912-545-0053
McIntosh: 912-437-6671
Pierce: 912-449-2040
Ware: 912-287-4394
Wayne: 912-427-5979
If you need assistance or have questions about Hurricane Irma, call 1-800-TRY-GEMA (1-800-879-4362) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For medical or health related questions, call 1-866-PUB-HLTH (1-866-782-4584).
If you are in immediate danger call 911, but please reserve 911 for emergencies only.
Local Status
For continued updates on the status of your area visit:
Chatham County Emergency Information
Glynn County Emergency Information
Georgia Emergency Management Information
Power Outages on the Roads
Please follow all recommendations from local officials and law enformcement regarding driving and roadways. If you do drive and the power is out:
- Treat traffic lights as a 4-way stop.
- The driver on the right has the right-of-way.
- Proceed with caution only when traffic permits.
- Use turn signals to let other drivers know your intentions.
Power Outages at Home
Visit www.georgiapower.com/storm to report and check the status of outages. You can also report and check the status of an outage 24 hours a day by contacting Georgia Power at 888-891-0938.
For updates from Georgia EMC, visit https://georgiaemc.com/storm-center/current-outages.
Flood Insurance
If you have flood insurance through FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and your property suffered flood damage, contact your local insurance agency or company to file a flood insurance claim. Find your insurance company's toll-free phone number here.
Anyone with additional questions about filing a claim or their NFIP policy can call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.
Traffic and Roadway Conditions
Visit 511ga.org or call 511 for the latest information on roadway conditions or to report flooding, road, or bridge damage.
Citizens Abroad
The Department of State has set up a task force for hurricane response. If you need assistance regarding the safety of Americans affected by hurricanes abroad, click here and click on the “Alert Us” button to enter information about your relatives so that State can use this information to contact them as soon as possible.
This is very important to ensure the State Department knows where American citizens are located.
Local numbers for police and emergency services:
The Bahamas: 919 or 911
St. Maarten (Dutch side): 911
St. Martin and St. Barthélemy: The French Ministry of Interior has set up a public line emergency line: Tel: 01 82 71 03 37.
St. Eustatius: 911 (police) and 910 or 912 (medical)
Saba: 911 (police) and 912 (medical)
Cuba: 106
Haiti: +509-3838-11 or +509-3733-3640
The Dominican Republic: 911
State Department Contacts:
Email - IrmaEmergencyUSC@state.gov. Provide as much information as possible (at a minimum, please provide citizen's full name, gender, and last known location within country, if known)
Call - 1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. & Canada), +1-202-501-4444 (from Overseas)
Georgia Attorney General
If you feel that you may have been the victim of a scam or price gouging while in the aforementioned counties, please contact the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit. Call 1-800-869-1123 toll-free outside of the metro Atlanta calling area, or call 404-651-8600 inside the metro Atlanta area, or click here to report suspected price gouging online. Detailed information, including copies of relevant documentation and pictures, may be uploaded to this site.
As always, my staff and I are here for you in what ever capacity you may need. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
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