A county-wide informational meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at Radium Springs Middle School at 2600 Radium Springs Road. Emergency leaders consider this an important opportunity for citizens to have a questions and answer session directly with Dougherty County Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency officials, as well as knowledgable people with
Dougherty County, the City of Albany and Disaster Assistance Recovery.

“We hope people will take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about how our community is making progress after Hurricane Michael,” said Christopher Cohilas, the Chairman of the Dougherty County Commission. “There is a great deal of work ahead, and the more our citizens can understand the process, and help in our recovery, the better our overall outcome.”

Agriculture agencies will have an Ag Disaster Assistance meeting for producers Monday, October 22 at 2:00 p.m. at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton. People in the farm industry can meet with officials from the USDA, the Farm Service Agency and other organizations to discuss what disaster help might be available for them post-Hurricane Michael.

The presence of the National Guard in Dougherty County has been greatly reduced, according to the Deputy Director of the Dougherty County Emergency Management Agency, Jenna Chang.  The National Guard supplied necessary manpower during the height of the post-Hurricane Michael response. Three separate units were deployed to Dougherty County. As of Sunday, October 21, the National Guard is not assigned any missions with Dougherty County.

“The efforts of the Georgia National Guard in Dougherty County has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Christopher Cohilas, the Chairman of the Dougherty County Commission.  “These men and women helped restore order in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, and we are grateful to Governor Deal and the National Guard for their presence in Southwest Georgia.”

Dougherty County’s Disaster Recovery Center is open Sunday, October 21 from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. at 300 Cason Street. It will reopen Monday at 8 a.m.  The hours for the Dougherty County DRC is as follows:

Sunday
1 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Monday-Saturday
8 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Storm survivors will get personal guidance for their individual disaster situation. Small Business Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency employees are present, and can offer the following assistance:

• Guidance regarding each individual’s disaster recovery plan

• Clarification of all written correspondence received from FEMA and the SBA

• Housing assistance

• Crisis counseling

• Disaster legal services

• Disaster unemployment

• Problem resolution and referrals to agencies that can provide additional assistance

It is important to note, that if a citizen has damage to their business or home, they need to first file a claim with their insurance. Federal assistance is available for the underinsured and uninsured.

“While it is is not necessary to visit the center to register for and receive federal disaster assistance, I strongly encourage people to take advantage of the face-to-face help,” said Christopher Cohilas, the Dougherty County Commission Chairman. “Navigating the federal system, on top of dealing with property damage, can be overwhelming, and I hope people who will benefit from this individual counseling will take advantage of it.”

You can quickly reach FEMA by calling 800-621-3362, online at www.disasterassistance.gov or in person at a Disaster Recovery Center.

People needing food can contact the Albany Relief + Recovery COAD at www.arrcoad.com, 229-288-2669 or visit the location at 925 Pine Ave. in Albany (There are limited hours at the Pine Ave. location. Please contact ARR COAD directly as the hours are subject to change.)

Citizens with storm related questions can contact the Emergency Operations Center from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. at 229-483-6226 or 229-483-6227 for information and assistance. Trained personnel are answering the phones and are ready to offer assistance.

The Dougherty County School District has announced that school will resume for normal operations on Monday, October 22. There is help available for children in need of a uniform, and children can come to school out of uniform. Families and students are urged to let administrators and teachers know if they need any assistance. Please visit the school district website at www.docoschools.org for the latest district updates.

Also happening:

• The burn ban has been lifted in Dougherty County. If citizens want to burn in the county, they will need to obtain a burn permit issued by the Georgia Forestry Commission. Citizens can quickly and easily get a burn permit online at www.gfc.state.ga.us or call 1-877-OK2-BURN (652-2876). Fire officials are asking that people never leave a fire unattended.

• A new resident guide is available for storm debris removal (please see attached guide).  Residents are asked to put debris curbside, not blocking utilities, fire hydrants or driveways.  Crews picking up debris will make multiple passes.

• The county-wide curfew is lifted as of Thursday, October 18, 2018.

• The county’s State of Emergency has been extended until October 26, 2018.

• The Albany Transit is operational.

• The Red Cross is providing meals. Please contact the Red Cross for more information.

• The Civic Center is still operating as a shelter.

• All volunteers must register with the Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) at 925 Pine Ave and receive a bright pink tag/placard for their windshields that designates them as legitimate volunteers.

• All contractors must register with the Business License office at 240 Pine Ave. and receive a bright yellow tag/placard for their windshields.

• If volunteers/contractors are unable to produce this documentation, residents need to call the EOC or law enforcement. The safety of our residents is of utmost importance.

• There will be no County Commission meeting on Monday, October 22, 2018. The next scheduled meeting will be on Monday, October 29, 2018 at 10 a.m. in Room 120 of the Albany-Dougherty Government Center.

Questions can be directed to Melissa Hodges, Public Information Specialist (contract), at 229-343-7953.