Dougherty County Storm Roundup — Feb. 5, 2017

Town hall meetings scheduled

ALBANY — A pair of town hall meetings hosted by Dougherty County Commission Chairman Chris Cohilas and Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard are scheduled for this week.

The meetings are being conducted so that city and county residents impacted by the Jan.2 and Jan. 21-22 storms can get information directly from Federal Emergency Management Agency officials regarding registration and available assistance.

The meetings will be conducted:

— 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday at the auditorium at Dougherty High School, 1800 Pearce Ave.;

— 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Thursday at the gymnasium of Radium Springs Middle Magnet School, 2600 Radium Springs Road.

Dougherty EMA center relocating

ALBANY — As of Friday, the Emergency Operations Center that has been place since the first storms will cease operations in the Pine Avenue Government Center.

The Dougherty County Emergency Management Agency will operate out of 320 N. Jackson St. unless needs require it to relocate.

Meanwhile, the Dougherty EMA’s volunteer reception center will continue to operate seven days a week at 700 E. Oglethorpe Blvd., the former location of the Kia dealership. Non-emergency phone lines have been redirected to that facility, where operators will answer calls. The non-emergency numbers are (229) 483-6226, (229) 483-6227 and (229) 483-6228. The facility will be staffed with volunteers and donation coordinators.

FEMA opening center at Albany Mall

ALBANY — A new FEMA Disaster Recovery Center will open at 9 a.m. Monday at the Albany Mall.

Dougherty EMA officials says the FEMA center will be open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays out of Suite E16 in the mall. The FEMA center will be closed Sundays.

The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at 1721 E. Oglethorpe Blvd. also continues to operate during those same hours.

Dougherty County individuals and businesses with property damaged by the storms can register with FEMA online at disasterassistance.gov, in person at the centers, or by calling 1 (800) 621-3362 (FEMA). Those with hearing or speaking difficulties can call the TTY line at 1 (800) 462-7585. The phone lines are open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week.

Volunteers needed at EMA center

ALBANY — Volunteers continue to be needed at the Dougherty EMA Volunteer Reception Center at 700 E. Oglethorpe Blvd. The center is open 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. seven days a week.

Volunteers do not have to have experience or skills with disaster relief, but EMA officials say there is a special need for volunteers who are comfortable with computers and entering data.

A new crisis hotline also is now available 8 a.m.-8 p.m. seven days a week at 1 (800) 451-1954.

Updates on roads, electricity, shelters

ALBANY — Dougherty EMA officials say the 400 block of South Valencia Drive between Whitney and Gillespie avenues will be closed for a week, or until repairs on the roadway are completed. Signs detail detour routes around the roadwork area.

All power has been restored, according to representatives of Albany Utilities, Georgia Power and Mitchell EMC. EMA officials say the only exceptions are those who need meter repairs before power can be turned back on at their homes.

No shelters are open in Albany at this time.

Red Cross operates resource center

ALBANY — The Red Cross is operating its Multi-Agency Resource Center, known as MARC, for people impacted by the storms and tornadoes.

The MARC includes resources available through state and local partners such as the Economic Development Authority,the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Tzu Chi, the church of the Brethren, the Red Cross and others.

The MARC at 2602 Dawson Road will be open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday this week.

Phone lines set up for disaster needs

ALBANY — Various phone lines and services have been established for disaster victims. They include:

— The city of Albany and Ceres Environmental Services have a debris removal hotline at (229) 288-6235 open daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m.;

— For 24-hour Storm relief Assistance, contact the Dougherty EMA Volunteer Reception Center at (229) 483-6226, (229) 483-6227 and (229) 483-6228;

— Missing person reports can be made by calling 911 or (229) 483-6201;

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

Also, the Albany Area YMCA is offering hot showers to anyone in the community impacted by the storm. 5 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 5 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Sundays. Please bring towl; toiletries available.

Center set up for charitable donations

ALBANY — The Dougherty EMA has set up a Donation Reception Center at storefronts at 107 and 109 Front St. to accept donations daily 8 a.m.-6 p.m. The phone is (229) 483-6218

Needed donations include:

— Canned food and other non-perishable food;

— Gently used baby items, bedding, housewares;

— New toiletry items.

The center is not now accepting clothing or cash donations. Cash contribution, however, may be made to:

— United Way of Southwest Georgia: (229) 883-6700 or www.unitedwayswga.org/help;

— The Albany Herald Recover Rebuild Renew Fund: www.gofundme.com/recover-rebuild-renew-albany-ga;

— Sherwood Baptist Church: www.sherwoodbaptist.net/give, select “Help Albany” on dropdown menu; by check to Sherwood Baptist Church, 2201 Whsipering Pines Road, Albany, GA 31707 (write #HelpAlbany” on the memo line);

— Mission:Change: Text to GIVE at (229) 469-8069 or visit PayPal.me/MissionChange.