Hurricane Helene: Recovery Updates and Resources for Georgia Counties

ACCG is well aware that you, your county EMA and public safety officials, as well as others, are fully involved in response and recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene and are being guided by the efforts of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA). 

As your county association, ACCG is available to assist you if your standard channels of response cannot meet your immediate need, particularly as they relate to communication with other local and state agencies.   

 

If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact ACCG County Consulting Services:

Bill Twomey, Director of County Consulting Services

Phone:  404-710-1981

Email:  [email protected]

 

Brent Williams, County Consulting Services Associate

Phone:  229-942-4383

Email:  [email protected]

 

DISASTER DECLARATION INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Hurricane Helene

This website includes information on counties that have received a major disaster declaration for individual and public assistance, links for individuals and families to apply for assistance, and other resources.

 

Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA) – Hurricane Helene

This website includes information on sheltering and feeding locations, points of distribution for essential items, local emergency management agencies, how people can report damages and more.

Supreme Court of Georgia Issues Statewide Judicial Emergency Due to Hurricane Helene (9/30/2024)


Supreme Court of Georgia Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs has issued a statewide judicial emergency order, extending certain deadlines in ongoing court proceedings due to the effects of tropical cyclone Helene.  The order’s extensions apply only in cases where parties affected by Helene certify that they were unable to file or take other required action by applicable deadlines.  For more information, click here.

 

RECOVERY INFORMATION

 

GEMA-HS to Hold Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Helene Joint Applicant Briefings 

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Public Assistance Department has scheduled Joint Applicant Briefings for DR-4821 Tropical Storm Debby and DR-4830 Hurricane Helene.  These briefings will be held virtually as follows:

  • October 23 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Click here to join.
    • Join by phone/1-855-282-6330 US TOLL FREE/1-415-655-0003 US TOLL/Access code: 2422 763 4496
  • October 30 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Click here to join.
    • Join by phone 1-855-282-6330 US TOLL FREE / 1-415-655-0003 US TOLL/Access code: 2421 821 2356

These briefings are for counties, cities, schools, and private non-profit organizations (EMCs, churches, charter schools, etc.) impacted by the event.  During these briefings, the GEMA-HS will  provide high-level information regarding the Public Assistance (PA) Program, such as:

  • Overview of the PA Program delivery process
  • Program deadlines
  • General eligibility criteria
  • Project formulation and funding
  • Hazard mitigation
  • Compliance requirement (procurement, EHP, and insurance)
  • Administrative requirements
  • Recipient points of contact

Potential applicants should have representatives participate who will be managing the projects (response and recovery work) and/or grant (administrative).  Representatives usually consist of management, emergency response, public works, finance, and/or the designee who interacts with the GEMA-HS and FEMA. There are NOT any restrictions on who may attend.

Cities, schools, EMCs, churches within a declared jurisdiction that were impacted may also be present, so please share this information with those entities impacted by the event within your county.  These entities are usually their own applicant within an event or declared disaster.

For questions and additional information, contact:  [email protected]

 

FEMA Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide

 

Remember Sourcewell and DOAS for Purchasing Needs

Counties can use Sourcewell and the Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) to leverage existing contracts for purchasing needs.  Sourcewell is a cooperating purchasing program that provides access to over 400 suppliers and is available to all government and education entities.  Counties also can use the statewide contracts negotiated by Georgia Department of Administrative Services.

Sample RFP for Disaster Recovery, Grant Management Support 

As recovery continues from Hurricane Helene, counties may want to consider contracting with a company to provide comprehensive disaster recovery management.  These companies can assist with the FEMA public assistance and individual assistance processes, provide hazard mitigation expertise, provide support for FEMA grant management and implement long-term recovery operations.  ACCG is sharing a sample request for proposal for these services that was provided to us by a company that participates in the NACo Public Promise Procurement Program.

Building Damage Assessment Assistance

The Building Officials Association of Georgia (BOAG) is part of the International Code Council in Region VIII which includes Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.  If your county needs assistance with damage assessments or guidance for best practices, go to www.boagonline.com, then click on More and then Contact and they will follow up with you.

Debris Removal

While GEMA does not require a debris removal/ management plan as part of a county’s EMA  Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP), it is highly recommended.

If a debris removal/management plan is in place prior to an emergency, and other recommended components of the plan also are in place, the county may be eligible for a higher reimbursement for disaster related projects.

If the county did not have a debris removal/management plan in place prior to September 23, 2024, you MUST adhere to the provisions in Federal Regulations in order to be reimbursed by GEMA/FEMA – even if your local Emergency Ordinance and the related Declaration allow for suspension or relaxation of the bid process.  The code of regulations is titled 2-CFR, and the procurement section may be found at this link:  2 C.F.R. §§ 200.317 to 200.326

 

ACCG INSURANCE PROGRAMS CLAIMS 

 

If your county is a member of ACCG’s Insurance Programs and needs to report a claim, please use the following links: 

 

ACCG RESOURCES FOR COUNTIES

 

Important Considerations for Disaster Planning and Response

 

Optional Local Government Property Tax Relief for Disaster Areas - House illB 311 Summary

 

Model Emergency Management Guide

 

Click the image to access the publication.