“We intend to stay here,” says the head of FEMA in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency arrived in Augusta on Wednesday to provide an update on the response to Hurricane Helene.

A press conference with FEMA Director Deanne Criswell and Mayor Garnett L. Johnson, as well as other city officials, began at 2 p.m. on the second floor of the Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building, 535 Telfair St.

Criswell met with state and local officials to survey areas affected by the Sept. 27 hurricane that left devastation in CSRA. She also met with survivors and FEMA staff supporting recovery efforts.

Criswell urged anyone who had not registered for the FEMA program to do so.

She said the Augusta Disaster Recovery Center at 631 Chafee Avenue is available for people who want one-on-one assistance in applying for assistance, but you can also apply online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov. In addition, the agency employs people who go into neighborhoods to offer help; they will have FEMA ID badges and clothing, Criswell said.

She noted that FEMA was on the ground in Georgia before the storm made landfall, establishing resources and leadership so that aid could be quickly directed to where it was needed.

“We intend to continue to stay here on earth,” she said.

Through a joint field office in Atlanta, the agency is coordinating efforts with state leaders, she said.

Additionally, the Augustów branch receives special aid for our region.

WHAT’S NEXT?

• On Thursday, the FEMA director will travel to South Carolina to meet with Governor McMaster, review the status of federal recovery efforts, and visit local disaster recovery centers.

Criswell said there are about 800 federal workers in the region to help with hurricane relief efforts – mostly FEMA workers, but also workers from the Army Corps of Engineers, the Small Business Administration and other agencies. More than 200 of them conduct canvassing in districts or support mobile disaster recovery centers.

FEMA has opened nine emergency response centers throughout Georgia, including one in Augusta. She added that four more centers are in the pipeline and will open in the coming days and weeks.

The goal is to open 20 centers in Georgia, she said. Meanwhile, mobile infrastructure is filling some of the gaps.

When asked about rumors and the often intentional spread of misinformation about FEMA’s efforts, Criswell said it was troubling.

“This created unnecessary noise for work that needed to be done. We need to focus on people,” she added.

“I want to make sure my employees can devote all their time and energy to helping them recover.”

In Georgia, more than 333,000 people have registered for help so far, she added.

The agency has distributed nearly $160 million to Georgia citizens, “but that number will increase.”

She added that one of the goals is not only to rebuild, but also to increase the resilience of infrastructure.

“As I talked to the mayor and his team earlier, we are here for the long haul,” she said. “We are here and we will be with everyone in this community as we think about what the future might look like. You see these tragic events, but as I mentioned to the mayor, we also have the opportunity to build back stronger and build back more resilient.”

She said that as officials talk about rebuilding damaged critical infrastructure, they will talk about how to do it so that the facilities can withstand future disasters.

“We don’t want another event to happen and not take the opportunity to make it stronger and better,” she said.

This infrastructure is a key priority for the city, Fire Chief Antonio Burden said at a news conference.

City officials are also focusing on prioritizing utility repairs and expediting debris removal.

He also said the city is working with FEMA to find temporary housing for displaced people.

“Our goal is to ensure that everyone affected by the disease receives the help they need,” he said.

The mayor said the city has made significant progress in rebuilding after the hurricane, but there is still a lot of work ahead.

CITY CEMETERY:

• Westview and Cedar Grove cemeteries suffered minimal damage, August officials said at a news conference Wednesday. Magnolia Cemetery is damaged; roads and damaged areas throughout the cemetery are difficult to navigate.

The city’s debris removal contractor continues to focus on the largest and hardest-hit areas and is collecting debris in Eisenhower Park, Fleming Park and Lake Olmstead Stadium. Authorities are asking residents to avoid these areas for their safety.

To date, more than 408,000 cubic yards of debris and 97 hanging tree limbs have been removed in Richmond County.

Crews are removing an average of 24,000 cubic yards of debris per day.

In the future, people will have to separate plant debris from construction debris and leave it in right-of-way alongside roads, Johnson said.

This is a “once-in-a-lifetime storm, so please be patient,” he said.

City Administrator Tameka Allen said utility systems and trash collection services are operating normally. If you have problems, call 311.

All traffic lights in Richmond County are now operational, but there are some issues with synchronizing multiple lights. Engineers are working to solve this problem, she added.

SEE THE ENTIRE CURRENT CONFERENCE:

Criswell’s visit came just after FEMA opened two new aid centers for Helene victims: in the library at Aiken Technical College and in Thomson at 111 Railroad St.

They join centers already open in Augusta at the HUB for Community Innovation, 631 Chafee Ave., and in Sandersville at 514 North Harris St.

Here is a photo gallery from the Thomson center, which opened on Tuesday:

Members of U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock’s team will soon host a community resource day aimed at giving Glascock County residents access to federal resources. Staff will be at the Glascock County Senior Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m.

A complete list of FEMA centers in the CSRA can be found at https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator.

By the numbers

• FEMA approved over $2 billion in federal assistance to individuals and communities affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
• FEMA is over 5000 personnel deployed throughout the Southeast, bringing the total to over 6000 federal services that work together to support state and local governments in economic recovery efforts.
• Federal aid for people affected by hurricanes includes $940 million supporting survivors with home repairs, replacement of personal property, and other necessary recovery efforts.
• Plus, it’s over $1.1 billion has been approved for debris removal and emergency protective measures that are necessary to save lives, protect public health and prevent further damage to public and private property.
• In Georgia, FEMA approved this decision $156 million in housing and other types of assistance for over households.
• In South Carolina, FEMA approved the decision $166 million in housing and other types of assistance for over households.

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