Hurricane Helene: How to Get Information and Assistance in Georgia
En español | Hurricane Helene slammed Georgia with flooding, rain and high winds, causing power outages and property damage after it made landfall on Sept. 26.
On Oct. 1, President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration for several Georgia counties, which makes federal assistance available to residents in affected areas. The assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners.
Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp declared a state of emergency for all of the state’s 159 counties before the storm’s arrival. On Sept. 26, Biden approved an emergency declaration for Georgia, allowing for federal assistance to supplement local and state responses to the storm. The declaration also allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief efforts.
AARP has compiled a list of government, nonprofit and other aid available to help those affected by Hurricane Helene. This list will be updated as more information becomes available.
If you need emergency assistance, call 911.
Federal assistance
FEMA: The agency has assistance after disasters for individuals and families. Residents and business owners who sustained losses in counties included in the disaster declaration can apply for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App.
U.S. Small Business Administration: If the federal government declares a disaster due to the hurricane, loans will be available. Check the SBA’s website for updates for information and to apply for low-interest disaster loans, which are available to help you recover from the storm.
State assistance and resources
Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency: The state agency offers various forms of disaster-related assistance and grants.
gema.georgia.gov: Get the latest on Hurricane Helene and other storms, plus a guide on hurricane preparation and recovery is available.
Local information: Sign up for emergency alerts through your county’s emergency management agency.
Georgia Department of Transportation: Check the state DOT website for Information on road conditions and closures. Check conditions at 511ga.org.
Explore Georgia: Get travel alerts, information about Hurricane Helene and hotel availability.
Connect with loved ones
Facebook: Indicate you are safe by checking in via the social media service, including the Hurricane Helene Safety Check-In group.
American Red Cross: Report yourself safe through Red Cross Reunification by calling 1-800- RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The organization has guidance online for reuniting with friends and loved ones, along with state-specific reunification pages for people who are searching for the missing.
Food and housing assistance
Shelters: The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency has opened shelters. Click here to find available shelter locations.
Parks: State parks are open for people affected by Hurricane Helene. The Department of Natural Resources State Parks and Historic Sites Division plans to take in people and pets, including horses. Visit gastateparks.org/Alerts or call 800-864-7275 for more information. The department encourages people who have evacuated to travel to more northern parks outside the path of the storm because strong winds and heavy rain may affect parks in the middle and southern part of the state.
Food banks: Feeding Georgia provides a list of food banks statewide.
American Red Cross: The Red Cross website lists open shelters near you, or call 800-RED-CROSS. The organization has a chapter in Georgia to help with supplies and resources at the local level.
Salvation Army: The charitable organization provides disaster-related assistance, including food and shelter.
FEMA: Go online to FEMA.gov or download the FEMA App to search for shelters. You can also text SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362 (for example, Shelter 12345).
Weather and power outage information
FEMA.gov: Download the FEMA app for real-time alerts from the National Weather Service. Emergency officials may also reach you via the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alert, which don’t require sign-up.
Local news outlets: Tune in to radio stations to hear National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) information on current and forecast weather. Monitor television and radio stations for the latest information and instructions from emergency personnel, as well as emergency alerts.
weather.gov: Enter your city, state or ZIP code to find the latest forecast and storm-related news.
Utility companies: Report storm outages to your utility company. The Georgia Public Service Commission website lists utility companies. Find a map of electricity outages from PowerOutage.US.
Ready.gov: Find tips for navigating a power outage at Ready.gov/poweroutages.
Storm safety tips
Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency: This department’s website features information on how to prepare for a hurricane, storm safety tips and storm-related guidance.
Ready Georgia: More tips on how to prepare for a disaster can be found on the Ready Georgia website.
Georgia Department of Transportation: The state DOT offers safety tips on hurricane preparation on its website.
Ready.gov/Hurricanes: Get advice from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on how best to prepare for a hurricane, stay safe during the storm, return home and recover afterward.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The agency has information on emergency preparedness.
Healthcare Ready: Make sure you have a supply of necessary medications packed in case you need to evacuate quickly. If you need to evacuate and don’t have your prescriptions, RxOpen.org provides information on open pharmacies in areas impacted by disasters.
Mental health resources
Disaster Distress Helpline: For help with your mental health, call or text the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s toll-free helpline at 800-985-5990. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to all U.S. residents who are experiencing emotional distress due to disasters, including storms. Help is available in multiple languages.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call 988 and be connected with free and confidential support. This website has a feature that allows you to chat online.
Editor’s note: This guide was originally published on Sept. 27, 2024, and has been updated with new information.
Maura Kelly Lannan is a writer, editor and producer for AARP who covers federal and state policy. She has worked as a reporter for the Associated Press, the Chicago Tribune and the Waterbury, Connecticut, Republican-American. She also has written for Bloomberg Government, The Boston Globe and other publications.
