FEMA opened an additional Disaster Recovery Centers in Bulloch County to provide one-on-one help for Georgians affected by Hurricane Helene. The Disaster Recovery Centers centers are open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m.
Center locations nearby Statesboro:
Bulloch County
Kiwanis Ogeechee Fairgrounds
16942 GA-67
Statesboro, GA 30458
Bryan County
Jacob Grant Teen Center
185 Ballpark Road
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Screven County
Screven County Library
106 S. Community Drive
Sylvania, GA 30467
Additional centers are open in the following counties:
Appling County
Appling County Agricultural Center
2761 Blackshear Highway
Baxley, GA 31513
Chatham County
Savannah Technical College
Student Enrichment Center Building
5717 White Bluff Road
Savannah, GA 31405
Coffee County
The Atrium
114 N. Peterson Avenue
Douglas, GA 31533
Emanuel County
Southeastern Technical College
Special Programs Building
346 Kite Road, Building 1
Swainsboro, GA 30401
Laurens County
Old West Laurens Middle School
338 West Laurens School Road,
Dublin, GA 31021
Lowndes County
City of Valdosta
4434 North Forrest Street Extension
Valdosta, GA 31605
McDuffie County
Thomson Depot
111 Railroad Street
Thomson, GA 30824
Richmond County
Hub for Community Innovation
631 Chafee Avenue
Augusta, GA 30904
Tift County
202 Baldwin Drive
Tifton, GA 31794
Toombs County
Georgia Department of Human Services
162 Oxley Drive
Lyons, GA 30436
Washington County
Sandersville School Building Authority
514 North Harris Street
Sandersville, GA 31082
FEMA Mobile Disaster Recovery Center location and hours
Atkinson County
Atkinson County Emergency Operations Center
Parking Lot
33 West Austin Avenue
Pearson, GA 31642
Wednesday, Nov. 6 – Saturday, Nov. 9
8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Brantley County
Brantley Recreation Department
3540 Baker Creek Road
Nahunta, GA 31553
Tuesday, Nov. 5 – Saturday, Nov. 9
8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Jeff Davis
Jeff Davis County Recreation Department
83 Buford Road
Hazlehurst, GA 31539
Tuesday, Nov. 5 – Saturday, Nov. 9
8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
To find center locations in the state, visit FEMA’s Hurricane Helene Georgia Page, FEMA’s DRC Locator or text “DRC” and your Zip Code to 43362. All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology.
Homeowners and renters in can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA, the State of Georgia and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed.
Here is the list of counties in alphabetical order:
- Appling
- Atkinson
- Bacon
- Ben Hill
- Berrien
- Brantley
- Brooks
- Bryan
- Bulloch
- Burke
- Butts
- Camden
- Candler
- Charlton
- Chatham
- Clinch
- Coffee
- Colquitt
- Columbia
- Cook
- Dodge
- Echols
- Effingham
- Elbert
- Emanuel
- Evans
- Fulton
- Glascock
- Glynn
- Hancock
- Irwin
- Jeff Davis
- Jefferson
- Jenkins
- Johnson
- Lanier
- Laurens
- Liberty
- Lincoln
- Long
- Lowndes
- McDuffie
- McIntosh
- Montgomery
- Newton
- Pierce
- Rabun
- Richmond
- Screven
- Stephens
- Taliaferro
- Tattnall
- Telfair
- Thomas
- Tift
- Toombs
- Treutlen
- Ware
- Warren
- Washington
- Wayne
- Wheeler
- Wilkes
If you are in an affected county, you are encouraged to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. The quickest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
You can also apply using the FEMA App for mobile devices or calling toll-free 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages.
Disaster Assistance Teams are also on the ground in affected counties going door-to-door to help survivors register for assistance.
Information on applying
To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
The deadline to apply is Jan. 7, 2025.
What You’ll Need When You Apply
- A current phone number where you can be contacted.
- Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
- Your Social Security number.
- A general list of damage and losses.
- Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
- If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.
If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.
DISASTER ASSISTANCE AND SOCIAL SECURITY
Applying for federal disaster assistance from FEMA will not affect other federal benefits that Georgia survivors of Hurricane Helene or Tropical Storm Debby, damage Aug. 4--20, 2024, may receive.
Accepting a FEMA grant will not affect your eligibility for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and other federal welfare and entitlement programs. In addition, any assistance you receive from FEMA is not considered taxable income.
Disaster grants help you pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs, essential personal property replacement and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by your insurance or other sources.
- “Housing Assistance” covers repairs to the structural parts of your primary residence. This includes windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings, cabinets, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems (HVACs), utilities (electrical, plumbing and gas systems), and entrance/exit ways. FEMA may also reimburse you for repairing or replacing your furnace, well and septic system.
- “Other Needs Assistance” may reimburse both homeowners and renters for uninsured or underinsured out-of-pocket expenses related to Tropical Storm Debby or Hurricane Helene, such as:
- Medical and dental expenses; funeral and burial costs; cleaning, or replacement of clothing, household furniture and appliances; specialized tools used for your occupation; childcare, educational materials, moving, storage and other necessary expenses related to the storms.
- Your personally-owned and registered disaster-damaged cars and trucks may also be eligible for repair or replacement by FEMA.
If you receive a letter from FEMA saying you are not eligible for federal assistance after Tropical Storm Debby, with damage Aug. 4 – 20, 2024, or Hurricane Helene, you can appeal the decision within 60 days from the date on that letter. Make sure you read the letter carefully, as it includes the reason FEMA found you ineligible and the types of documents or information you need to provide to show you qualify for assistance or need more help.
Georgians Can Appeal FEMA's Decision on Disaster Assistance
An appeal is an explanation of why you disagree with FEMA’s decision. In an appeal, you may ask FEMA to review your file and it is an opportunity to provide new or additional information that may affect the decision. You may appeal any decision by FEMA regarding your application for assistance, such as your eligibility, the amount or type of assistance provided to you, late applications, requests to return money, or a denial of continued Temporary Housing Assistance.
DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION TO SUBMIT
- Receipts
- Bills
- Repair estimates
- Property titles or deeds
- Any other information that may support your appeal.
Please note, receipts, bills, and estimates must include the business name and contact information to help FEMA confirm the information. All documents must also include your full name, current phone number and address, disaster number, your FEMA application number written on all pages, and the address of the disaster-damaged home.
HOW TO SEND APPEALS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO FEMA
- Upload them your disaster assistance account at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Visit a Disaster Recovery Center
- Mail it to FEMA, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055.
- Fax it to 1-800-827-8112.
Latest information on Georgia's recovery
For the latest information about Georgia's recovery, visit fema.gov/helene/georgia. Follow FEMA Region 4 @FEMARegion4 on X or follow FEMA on social media at: FEMA Blog on fema.gov, @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol on X, FEMA or FEMA Espanol on Facebook, @FEMA on Instagram, and via FEMA YouTube channel. Also, follow Administrator Deanne Criswell on Twitter @FEMA_Deanne.