Resources Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton

The time following a disaster can be very confusing and overwhelming. McIntosh and Glynn Counties passed through both hurricanes in much better condition than some of our more western counties. We are very blessed for that and certainly need to take a moment and be thankful.

However, damage still occurred, trees fell down, food was lost, power went out for days, and some locations had issues with water. This doesn’t include the stress of working with your insurance company, restocking your whole fridge/freezer, adding disaster relief to our already tight budgets, and the general depression that comes along with an event that so heavily impacts the whole region.

UGA Extension wants to help you. The best way that we can do that is by connecting you to resources that may be available to you. Below you will see some of the valuable resources that we have been made aware of for these storms. We are here to be a listening ear and help you navigate these troubling times. If you need help assessing crop, livestock, farm equipment, farm structures, or anything else for your farming production please reach out to M.C. Halbrook at 912-580-0256 or call your local Extension Office 1-(800)-ASK-UGA1

Tips for next time:

• TAKE PICTURES OF DAMAGE FIRST before any clean-up or repair
• Document everything that occurred during the storm! Your insurance agent will need this information.
• Keep your receipts, invoices, and communications with professionals
• Make note of the items that would have helped you ride out the storm and power outages more comfortably
• Restock your hurricane go-bags and pantry items

Farming and Livestock Specific

• Be sure to reach out to the FSA office. I will be happy to pass along the information that has been shared with me so far. They need to know where there is damage so that they can better help producers.
  1. 912-427-2502 or email Joe at morgan.slusher@usda.gov the office address is 1900 Sunset Blvd, Jesup
• The Georgia Department of Agriculture provides updated information regarding the impact of the storm on agriculture and needs by county for assistance. Please click here to read the October 2 report. To report damage and for other information, click here.
• Health
  1. Mental health – Call or text the Disaster Distress Helplineat 1-800-985-5990. The national hotline provides free 24/7, crisis counseling for people experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing ASL callers can use a videophone or ASL Now.
  2. State of Georgia Mental Health during disasters
     1. The Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) is also available 24/7 to counsel Georgians from every county who may be experiencing serious behavioral health problems. GCAL can be reached at 1-800-715-4225.
     2. GCAL offers:
        1. Crisis management: Mobile response for immediate crisis management, including assessment, de-escalation, and referral
        2. Routine service access: Help choosing providers and scheduling appointments for less intense needs
        3. Language assistance: Telephone interpreting services for callers with limited English proficiency
        4. Emergency transfer: Individuals in immediate danger are transferred to the local 911 service
• Disaster Declaration with U.S. Small Business Administration: https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/?disaster=GA-20013
• IRS, full article: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-provides-relief-for-helene-various-deadlines-postponed-to-may-1-2025-part-or-all-of-7-states-qualify
  1. The IRS is offering relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (includes all of GA)
  2. Individuals and households that reside or have a business in any one of these localities qualify for tax relief. The same relief will be available to other states and localities that receive FEMA disaster declarations related to Hurricane Helene. The current list of eligible localities is always available on the Tax relief in disaster situations page on IRS.gov.
• Informational Publication from UGA: Dealing with Pasture, Hay, Feed, and Livestock Loss after a significant weather event.
• Emergency Management at County Level
  1. McIntosh Residents: If you have damage to your home or property please send your address and pictures to “mcintoshcountyema@gmail.com” and we will try to get an assessment team out as soon as possible.
  2. Glynn Residents: report damage to : Kelsiee Brazeale, Emergency Management & Homeland Security Specialist Email: Kelsiee.brazeale@glynncounty-ga.gov