Hurricane Helene Release

Hurricane Helene Release #04-10/1/2024- 4:30pm

LOWNDES COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DATE: Tuesday, October 1, 2024

CONTACT: Meghan Barwick, Public Information Officer

Telephone: (229) 671-2790

Lowndes County, Georgia: Lowndes County has experienced significant damage from Hurricane Helene, and relief and recovery efforts have begun. On behalf of Lowndes County Emergency Management Director Ashley Tye, provides the latest updates regarding Hurricane Helene below. We are incredibly proud of the resilience and strength displayed by our community since Hurricane Helene hit. We will continue working together to rebuild and emerge stronger than ever. We understand that this is a challenging time for our community, but we are committed to working together to rebuild and recover from Hurricane Helene.

DISASTER DECLARATION

Lowndes County Emergency Management has been notified that President Joe Biden has approved the federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, making public assistance available for Lowndes County residents.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene.

FEMA officials are expected to arrive soon to provide assistance in response to Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. However, as of now, FEMA officials are not yet on the ground in Lowndes County. Once they arrive, a Disaster Recovery Center will be set up in our community. Once we have more information about the specific location, dates, and times, it will be shared through city/county websites, social media, and local media outlets.

DEBRIS REMOVAL

FEMA does not provide direct services, including debris removal. FEMA may reimburse local governments who pick up debris from the right of way, but FEMA does not send people in, and they do not reimburse homeowners for debris removal. For the residents in the unincorporated area of Lowndes County, debris removal contracts have been activated. Residents should move debris to the right-of-way. Do not put debris on the roadway, which can create traveling hazards. The right-of-way will be cleared as quickly as possible. Do not place household garbage, bags, construction and demolition debris, fences, or anything else that is not from a tree with yard debris. There are no length requirements for trees in the unincorporated area of Lowndes County. If you live within city limits, please contact your city for instructions on debris removal.

Local governments cannot go onto private property and can only pick up what is in the public right of way.All residents should place vegetative debris curbside and not develop specific dumping lots within subdivisions.

The City of Valdosta is making temporary adjustments to its sanitation and yard debris services due to ongoing safety concerns and increased debris following Hurricane Helene. To ensure proper disposal and the safety of residents, the City is reminding everyone to separate yard storm debris from regular household garbage. Yard debris includes leaves, branches, and other organic material from storms or general yard maintenance. To assist with the collection process, residents should:

• Place yard debris in a separate pile from household garbage.
• Avoid placing debris in bags or containers.
• Ensure the debris pile is easily accessible and not blocked by vehicles or other objects.
• Refrain from placing yard debris near downed power lines or damaged utility poles. If there are no power lines in your area, place debris by the right-of-way while following these guidelines.

In addition to debris separation, five rear-in loaderswill be placed at designated locations around the city to assist with the disposal of household garbage only. These loaders will be available beginning on Tuesday, October 2, at the following locations:

• Old Ferrell Gas Company location - 708 Barack Obama Blvd.
• Valdosta Cinemas - 1680 Baytree Road
• Old Recycle Drop Site - 1025 West Hill Ave (at Hill Ave and Cherry St)
• Payton Park - Intersection of Griffin Ave and Devine St
• Skate and Play Family Fun Center - 3124 N Oak Street Extension

Residents are reminded that only household garbageshould be dropped off at these sites. Non-household items and hazardous materials should not be disposed of in these locations. Both the regular yard debris collection and sanitation services remain suspended until further notice. The City is working diligently to restore safe operations and will provide timely updates.

There is a massive amount of debris, and it is going to take a long time to get everywhere, but we are already beginning to engage additional resources to help us through the process. They will also likely have to make several passes through each area to collect everything. Bear with our teams, and don't feel like you missed out if they come by and you still have stuff that needs to get to the road.

Many volunteer groups are in Lowndes County, and Lowndes County Emergency Management is coordinating with them. Crisis Cleanup and Samaritan's Purse have activated a hotline for private property cleanup, property debris cleanup, and home repair for residents who need assistance cleaning debris from private property.

• Crisis Cleanup- 844-965-1386
• Samaritan's Purse- 833-747-1234

POWER

Power company personnel continue to work around the clock to restore power. Currently, approximately 75% of customers in Lowndes County are without power. For safety reasons, residents are encouraged to refrain from attempting to address utility lines themselves. Downed lines are hazardous and should be considered live until power personnel address them.

Residents should exercise caution as generator use continues. Generators should be housed in a well-ventilated area, not an enclosed area such as a garage. Also, please make sure power cords are not left in standing water. Follow manufacturer suggestions for operating generators. If using a generator, make sure your main breaker is turned off. If someone has not turned the main breaker of the home or business off so that the location is isolated from the grid, the generator could send power beyond the location and injure or kill the utility worker trying to restore power.

DAMAGE AND REPAIRS

If your home or business needs repair, please make sure that anyone working on your property is a licensed contractor. Licensed contractors should be able to provide a copy of their occupational tax certificate (business license), proof of insurance, and a contract that outlines the work to be done, the cost, and the time by which the work will be completed. A reputable contractor should not ask for payment upfront.

All contractors and subcontractors are required to have the proper license per the state of Georgia, have the proper occupational tax license for Lowndes County, and have proof of insurance.

Citizens with damage should contact their insurance agent for directions on obtaining estimates. Renters should contact their landlords. Anyone without insurance is private pay. Criminal Investigation teams from Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, John King's office, are in Lowndes County investigating reports related to price gouging and/or construction fraud.

To report suspected fraud to the Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Fire Safety:

• Fraud Tip Line: 404-463-0953
• Email: [email protected]
• Mailing address: OCI Criminal Investigations Division, 2 Martin Luther King Drive, Suite 720 West Tower, Atlanta, Georgia 30334

CITY OF VALDOSTA UPDATES:

CITY OF VALDOSTA MUNICIPAL COURT

Municipal Court sessions initially scheduled for Monday, September 30, Wednesday, October 2, and Thursday, October 3 have been postponed.

The sessions are rescheduled as follows:

Monday, September 30, rescheduled to October 21.

Wednesday, October 2, rescheduled to November 5.

Thursday, October 3, rescheduled to November 21.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please call the Valdosta Municipal Court at (229) 293-3171.

CITY CURFEW

The City of Valdosta has extended the citywide curfew to ensure the safety of residents and support the work of first responders. The curfew will now be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night beginning Tuesday, October 1, until further notice.

Additionally, the City strongly encourages all residents to remain home during the day to protect both the community and those on the front lines. This measure is necessary to allow first responders and essential outside mutual aid personnel to clear roads and attend to emergencies without disruption.

The City of Valdosta thanks its residents for their continued cooperation and commitment to public safety.

Please watch the City of Valdosta's social media channels and the City website for further updates.

UTILITIES

The City of Valdosta reassures residents that there have been no interruptions in the city's drinking water services. Despite concerns circulating in the community, the city's water supply remains safe and fully operational. Additionally, there is no active boil water advisory at this time.

City officials confirmed today that the water treatment facility continues to operate without issues, ensuring the availability of clean, reliable drinking water for all residents.

CONTRACTORS

In support of Hurricane Helene relief efforts, business licenses are currently available at the City Hall Annex, 1st Floor, in the Inspections Department located at 300 N. Lee Street.

For more information, please call 229-259-3506.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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