Dougherty County Storm Recovery Roundup

Town hall meeting set for Thursday

ALBANY — Dougherty County Commission Chairman Chris Cohilas and Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard will conduct a town hall meeting 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. at the downtown Government Center for city and county residents who were affected by the Jan. 2 and/or Jan. 22 disasters.

More town hall meetings will be announced later.

At Thursday’s meeting, FEMA Disaster Assistance Teams will share important information and answer questions regarding how citizens can receive assistance from FEMA and how to register.

The meeting will be conducted in room 100. The Government Center is at 222 Pine Ave.

Three Dougherty roads still impassable

ALBANY — Dougherty County EMA officials say three roads were still closed Tuesday afternoon — Honeysuckle Road, Holly Drive and U.S. Highway 82 at Ramsey Road for eastbound traffic.

Road blocks have been set up on Holly Road at U.S. Highway 19 and at Moultrie Road, and at Sylvester Highway (Hwy. 82) and Branch Road.

FEMA officials urge survivors to register

ALBANY — Disaster survivors should register with FEMA, which has disaster assistance teams in Albany. Registration can be done 9 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays at the Disaster Recovery Center at the former East Albany police center, 1721 E. Oglethorpe Blvd.

Disaster Recovery Centers are staffed with representatives from FEMA, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA)/Homeland Security and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates about applications.

In addition to in-person filing, disaster survivors can register these ways:

— Online at disasterassistance.gov (also in Spanish);

— Download the FEMA mobile app (also in Spanish);

— Call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362 (FEMA). Those who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call (800) 462-7585. Those use 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service) or require accommodations while visiting a center may call (800) 621 – 3362. The toll-free numbers are open 7 a.m.-11 p.m. daily.

Help is available in most languages, and information on the registration process is available in ASL at http://www.fema.gov/media – library/assets/videos/111546.

FEMA has also opened two other disaster recovery centers in Turner and Cook counties where people can apply for disaster assistance. Those locations have the same hours as the Albany center.

The Turner County center is located at the Turner Civic Center at 354 Lamar Street, Ashburn, Ga. 31714.

The Cook County center is located at the Cook County Administration Building at 1200 S. Hutchinson Avenue, Adel, Ga. 31620.

Officials are urging individuals registering for assistance at the three locations to do so quickly as they will only be open for a limited time.

Emergency relief resources available

ALBANY — If you have an emergency need, this information may be helpful:

— To report a missing person, call (229) 483-6201 or call 911;

— The American Red Cross has a 24-hour emergency shelter at the Albany Civic Center. those who need disaster relief assistance from the American Red Cross can call (229) 436-4845 or 1 (855) 891-7325. For those who wish to donate prepackaged in-kind items such as pillows, blankets, food, water, the American Red Cross is able receive donations at the Albany Civic Center, 100 W. Oglethorpe Blvd.

— Those who need counseling or prayer can visit the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team at 925 Pine Ave. or call (704) 401-2483.

— The Albany Area YMCA is offering free hot showers to anyone in the community impacted by the storm during regular business hours 5 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 5 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday; 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, and 2 p.m.-6 p.m., Sunday. Please bring a towel; toiletries are available.

Power out at 456 Dougherty homes

ALBANY — Albany Utilities reported Tuesday that 456 homes were still without power. Officials say 205 of the affect homes are served by Albany Utilities and 251 by Mitchell EMC.

Utilities officials are asking homeowners who have not had their power restored to check their meter box and weatherhead for damage. here are some things you should know:

— Meter boxes and weatherheads that have been separated from the home must be repaired by an electrician.

— A licensed electrician will need to contact the Inspections Division of the Planning & Development Department at (229) 438-3901.

— The Inspection Division must schedule an appointment for the electrician’s work to be approved.

— Upon approval, the Inspection Division will contact Albany Utilities to schedule the power to be restored within 24-48 hours.

— The main breaker must be turned off when power is restored.

— If there is structural damage, a building permit may be required before electricity can be restored.

WellCare of Georgia offers help

ALBANY — WellCare of Georgia, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans Inc., is providing assistance to communities impacted by the tornadoes that came through south Georgia.

WellCare delivered toiletries, diapers, underwear, socks and other supplies to Friendship Baptist Church, Open Arms Inc. and Mt. Zion Baptist Church shortly after the Jan. 22 storm. These organizations have been housing and feeding those who were affected by the storm in recent days.

WellCare of Georgia is working to ensure its members receive disaster assistance, as well as uninterrupted access to health care services and supplies. Visit wellcare.com/Georgia or contact WellCare’s Community Assistance Line for social services assistance, (866) 775-2192 or (855) 628-7552 .