Valdosta Chamber Weekly- Hurricane Relief Edition

Special Hurricane Relief Edition

September 5, 2023

Letter from the Chamber President

The phrase "look for the helpers" has echoed in my brain continuously over the days since Hurricane Idalia hit our community. While it seems overwhelming when you see the damage that has been sustained by our residents and citizens, I am confident that we will come through this stronger than ever. I have been so deeply encouraged by the outpouring of support- neighbor to neighbor, businesses to our citizens, strangers to our community. YOU have been the helpers and YOU are the reason we will emerge stronger than ever.

Your Chamber is committed to being a community partner as we continue to navigate the aftermath and recovery from the storm. Below you will find multiple resources for businesses and citizens. As you will read below, the request for our area to receive the disaster designation has been made by Governor Kemp. We are currently waiting on President Biden to determine whether a disaster designation will be granted. If granted, FEMA will set up an assistance center for individuals and that information will be shared with you as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, FEMA does not provide financial recovery assistance directly to businesses. If the disaster designation is granted, the Small Business Administration resources related to Hurricane Idalia may include the following:

Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.

Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.

We will continuously advocate for the needs of our businesses and will share any and all resources that become available.

Until more becomes clear, we encourage you to document everything including physical damage, loss of revenue, loss of future business, number of days you had to remain closed, any spoilage, etc. This information may prove vital in the coming days.

As always, the Chamber is here for you. Please do not hesitate to call us at 229-247-8100 or email me directly at cmoore@valdostachamber.com with any questions or concerns.

Thank you to everyone who has been a helper during this time. From the lineman to the businesses providing food, it takes every one of you. Your efforts are deeply appreciated and do not go unnoticed. We are truly better together.

Sincerely,

Christie

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S. Christie Moore

President

Happening Today

We have heard reports of price gouging and fraudulent businesses who have come here from outside of our community. Please see the Consumer Protection Resource Guide and make sure to remain vigilant as you hire contractors and services.

Unemployment Claims

If your business is having to close for repairs or renovation, your business is able to expedite your temporary unemployment claims. Please read carefully below for instructions.

***If the President grants the disaster status, businesses may be eligible for additional extended unemployment for their employees. Additional information will be shared as soon as that happens.

To file Partial Claims:

Employer filing instructions for partial claims can be found at this link which includes links to the tutorial that walks employers through the process:

https://dol.georgia.gov/blog/new-information-filing-unemployment-partial-claims-and-reemployment-services

Once a partial (Employer Filed) claim has been filed – your employees (claimants) must go to: dol.georgia.gov, create a password and complete ID.Me at this link:

https://www.dol.state.ga.us/public/uiben/pwdestablish/seccreds/validate

Employees will then log into their UI Portal to complete their EFC Profile at this link: https://www.dol.state.ga.us/public/uiben/customer/login

Instructions may be found here: https://dol.georgia.gov/blog-post/2021-12-08/update-employer-filed-claims

If employees have any problems completing ID.ME, this link provides assistance with the ID.ME process: https://dol.georgia.gov/blog-post/idme

For employers that do not meet eligibility to file partial claims:

Your employees (claimants) will need to file claims themselves. This is done by visiting: dol.georgia.gov

Employees (claimsnts) will create their password at this link:

https://www.dol.state.ga.us/public/uiben/pwdestablish/seccreds/validate and log into their UI Portal at this link:

https://www.dol.state.ga.us/public/uiben/customer/login

They would then select the link to “Apply for Unemployment Benefits”, to file the claim. Once complete, your employees (claimants) will receive a confirmation page with a confirmation number. This information is also emailed to them. They would begin claiming weekly benefits the week after they file the claim. Instructions are included in the NEXT STEPS portion of the Confirmation Page and Confirmation Email. In order to be potentially payable – claimants MUST claim their weekly benefits each week as instructed.

Below you will find the most recent Press Release from Lowndes County Emergency Management Agency. We also encourage you to follow the Lowndes EMA Facebook page by clicking HERE.

𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐈𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 #𝟎𝟖-𝟗/𝟎𝟒/𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑-𝟏𝐩𝐦

Lowndes County has experienced significant damage from Hurricane Idalia, and relief and recovery efforts have begun. On behalf of Lowndes County Emergency Management Director Ashley Tye, here are the latest updates regarding Hurricane Idalia.

𝐅𝐄𝐌𝐀

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has made the required request to President Biden with regards to Lowndes County being declared a major disaster. “All emergency and major disaster declarations are made solely at the discretion of the President of the United States.”-www.fema.gov.

Lowndes County Emergency Management has not been provided a timeframe during which the President will make a decision.

If Lowndes County (Valdosta, Hahira, Lake Park, Remerton and Dasher) is declared, an online portal and a Disaster Recovery Center will be set up for citizens to apply for assistance.

As of now, there is no need to report individual damage to Emergency Management. Damage assessment teams have spent the past three days cataloging damage reports to compile the information needed by both the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

As soon as Lowndes County Emergency Management is notified of the President’s decision, a community-wide announcement will be made.

𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐓𝐘

Most fatalities and injuries happen after severe weather events. We encourage all citizens to practice chainsaw safety. When operating a chainsaw, it is important to wear proper protective clothing and glasses, choose the proper size of chainsaw to match the job, operate, adjust, and maintain the saw according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and check around the tree or pole for hazards, such as nails, power lines, or cables, before cutting. Be aware that trees may continue to fall over the next several days.

Roads, streets, and bridges across the community have been damaged. DO NOT DRIVE AROUND OR MOVE BARRICADES.

𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑

Power company personnel continue to work around the clock to restore power. As of now, approximately 10% of customers in Lowndes County are without power. Citizens are encouraged, for safety reasons, to refrain from attempting to address utility lines themselves. Downed lines are very dangerous and should be considered live until addressed by power personnel.

Citizens 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.

If you are using, a major appliance such as an oven and your power goes out. Make sure you turn the appliance off so that it does not come back on automatically when power is restored.

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. The right-of-way will be cleared as quickly as possible. Do not place household garbage with yard debris. If you live within city limits, please contact your city for instructions on debris removal. City of Valdosta residents should make sure yard debris is cut down to four-foot sections so that the city’s equipment can pick it up. Private subdivisions should deposit all yard debris in one central location. It will be collected via coordination with private subdivision HOA representatives.

Tree and debris removal contractors are telling residents that FEMA is required to remove their yard debris. FEMA does not provide direct services to include debris removal. Yard debris will be removed by local government services regardless of whether Lowndes County is declared a major disaster area.

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, cost, and a time by which the work will be completed. A reputable contractor should not ask for payment upfront. There is no indication that there is going to be any financial or FEMA assistance at this time. 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. For more information, visit: https://oci.georgia.gov/.../insurance-commissioner-king...

Crisis Cleanup has activated a private property, property debris cleanup, and home repair hotline for residents who need assistance cleaning debris from private property. The hotline number is 1.800.451.1954.

𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐑

Lowndes County Emergency Management is coordinating recovery efforts with a multitude of volunteer organizations operating within Lowndes County. Citizens who need assistance are encouraged to contact the Emergency Operations Center at 229-671-2790 during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and provide information on what type of assistance they may need. Representatives at the Emergency Operations Center will work to match the appropriate agency that is best suited to meet their specific needs. Any volunteer groups who have not contacted Lowndes County Emergency Management are encouraged to reach out so they can be added to the list of available resources.

Click here to follow Lowndes County EMA on Facebook

For the next 30 days, this page will be for hurricane disaster and recovery.

All funds will go towards disaster response for critical nonprofits that feed, clothe, and shelter people in the Greater Valdosta United Way coverage area. Funds will also be used to help with direct services for food and utility assistance for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed families and the elderly.

Please give, volunteer, and care for your community and neighbors.

Live United

-Michael Smith

IMPORTANT: Tree and debris removal contractors are telling residents that FEMA is required to remove their yard debris. FEMA does not provide direct services to include debris removal. Yard debris will be removed by local government services regardless of whether Lowndes County is declared a major disaster area.

As of Monday evening, approximately 10% of customers in Lowndes County are without power. Citizens are encouraged, for safety reasons, to refrain from attempting to address utility lines themselves. Downed lines are very dangerous and should be considered live until addressed by power personnel.

We are so grateful to the lineman from Georgia Power, Colquitt EMC, and their partners who have worked and continue to work around the clock to restore power.

In the aftermath of the hurricane, the City of Valdosta knows that many of our citizens are facing financial difficulties. To help ease the burden, we will not be charging late fees or disconnecting water due to non-payment, with the grace period ending September 11th.

We understand that times are tough, and we want to do everything we can to support our community during this challenging time. We are all in this together, and together we will rebuild and recover. 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟏𝐭𝐡.

Food & Supplies Available

For any family currently in need of food, water, laundry washed, and/or supplies, there are multiple locations available daily. The locations/times change but for up-to-date information, we suggest visiting:

Second Harvest of South Georgia

Greater Valdosta United Way

EMA Lowndes

We want to extend a special thank you to Daniel Bayman and the team at Gud Coffee for inviting the Chamber and other leaders to setup a temporary headquarters while we waited on power to be restored!

Click For More Information

Click To Email Olivia Summers