Hands On Disaster Response - '09 Georgia Floods Response

FROM THE WEBSITE:

GEORGIA: Flooding Assessment Conclusion

After an extensive assessment of flood affected areas in Georgia we have found that the clean up/muck/gut phase is moving along rapidly and in most areas will be completed in the coming days.

Affected homeowners wasted no time and began piling damaged household items and building materials on the curb and into dumpsters provided by the counties. Local and National voluntary organizations have also pitched in, with groups like the Latter Days Saints organizing upwards of 930 volunteers during the first weekend post flood.

The Red Cross estimates that just over 2,500 homes suffered damage statewide across some 20 counties. The hardest hit was Cobb County with approximately 1,000 homes having suffered damage.

Our evaluation found that the current needs of those affected are being met and a HODR project is not needed at this time. We will continue to monitor the long-term recovery and keep a watchful eye for any needs that may surface in the coming weeks and months.

We would like to thank our friends at Habitat For Humanity and the Georgia State Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (GA VOAD) for their assistance and information sharing.

The Greene family of Roswell, GA also deserves a BIG HODR thank you for their Southern hospitality and tremendous support of our efforts in Georgia.

Please stay tuned to www.HODR.org and twitter.com/HODRopsUSA for the latest on what we’re up to.

September 28, 2009 by Beca

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9/29/09 GAVOAD notes:

Hands On Disaster Response (Bill Driscoll)
• Been in information-gathering mode the past 3 ½ days. Affected homes in metro Atlanta area have been reported to range from 15000 to 20000 – based on their work so far they feel that actual numbers are at the lower end of that range.

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FROM THE WEBSITE:

GEORGIA: Flooding - HODR Sends Advance Team

As the flood waters begin to recede in Northern Georgia, Hands On Disaster Response is sending an Advance Team to the affected area to gather information and speak with local officials and responding agencies to determine how to best fill the needs of the affected communities.

Over the course of the past weekend heavy rains pounded the usually dry Northern portion of the Georgia, dumping up to 21” of rain in some areas. The continued rains caused Governor Sonny Perdue to declare states of emergency in 17 counties. Georgia Emergency Management estimates that 2,000-3,000 homes have been affected at an estimated damage of $250 Million. As of Thursday September, 24, FEMA declared Individual Assistance in four of the affected Metro Counties and local officials are working to get additional federal assistance declared in the coming days.

HODR’s Advance Teamwill be working with local partners to ascertain how to best engage in local recovery efforts. For the most up to date information and photos from the team, follow us on Twitter at HODRopsUSA. If you have any connections in the Atlanta area that may be of use to our team, please email us at info@HODR.org.

-The HODR Team

September 24, 2009

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Facebook Update 9/26/09:

HODR SENDS ADVANCE TEAM TO GEORGIA
Recent flash flooding in Northern Georgia has affected an estimated 2,000-3,000 homes. HODR's Advance Team is on the ground evaluating the situation, community needs, and potential for a HODR project. Follow us on Twitter @HODRopsUSA for the most current updates and check www.HODR.org for more info as it becomes available.
If you're interested in volunteering in Georgia if a project develops, or in Cedar Rapids (keep reading) please email Tom at info@HODR.org.

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9/23: Hands On is assessing the situation and will decide soon what level of support it will provide