Hurricane Helene Information

Hurricane Disaster Information and Resources:

Hurricane Helene Advisory

Please read the following carefully:

Only call 911 for emergencies.
The City of Valdosta will be closed on Monday, September 30th to Friday, October 4th.
All recycling sites are closed until further notice.
Stay inside and avoid driving during the storm.
Follow EMA Lowndes for Valdosta and Lowndes official updates on Hurricane Helene.
In the meantime, please remember to secure your rollout bins so they are not blown away.
Check your emergency kits, stay informed, and stay safe.
We want to remind everyone to be extra cautious on the roads. If you come across non-working traffic signals, treat them as 4-way stops. Slow down, stay alert, and drive carefully.

Do not drive around barricades, cones, and other traffic signage.
Follow detours and avoid flooded areas.
Drive slowly and keep a safe distance from other vehicles.

911 Non-Emergency Phone Number - (229) 245-5270

Common Reasons FEMA May Find You Ineligible for Assistance -- and How to Address Them

Georgians Who Lost Income Due to Storms May Be Eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Georgia Residents Reminded to Spend FEMA Grant Money Wisely

FEMA Offers Displacement Assistance to Georgia Storm Survivors

FEMA Mobile Registration Intake Center Opening Tuesday, October 22nd

Disaster Recovery Center relocating to VSU Continuing Education Building; FEMA assistance deadline Jan. 7, 2025

FEMA Approves More Than $614.7 Million for Recovery in Georgia

Disaster Recovery Centers in Coffee and Lowndes Counties to Close Permanently This Week; FEMA Representatives Relocating

Disaster Recovery Center

The State of Georgia and FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency have opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Lowndes County to serve Hurricane Helene survivors from Lowndes County. DRCs are dedicated, accessible, and established locations where specialists from FEMA’s Individual Assistance program can help survivors face to face. Highly trained specialists assist survivors through the recovery process and explain the types of assistance available from FEMA, such as housing and other needs assistance.

The Disaster Recover Center is closing permanently at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.

Small Business Association

SBA Opens Additional Recovery Center in Georgia to Assist Debby and Helene Survivors: Low Interest Disaster Loans Available

SBA Provides Critical Disaster Assistance to Help Georgians Recover from Hurricane Helene

Portable Loan Outreach Center Opens in Lowndes County

U.S. Small Business Administration Fact Sheet

Public Works Information

Yard Debris & Sanitation

Please click the links below for more information:

Residential Garbage Collection to Resume Thursday, October 3rd

City of Valdosta Announces Temporary Changes to Debris and Sanitation Collection Services

City of Valdosta Provides Updates on Debris Removal Efforts Following Recent Storm

Understanding Emergency Declarations vs. Federal Disaster Declarations

Please click the links below for more information:

Understanding Emergency Declarations vs. Federal Disaster Declarations

Self-Reporting Damage

Here's a website for residents to self-report damage, including pictures. This will help with the damage assessment process being transmitted to GEMA. The link to the reporting portal can be found here: https://crisistrack.juvare.com/public/lowndesGA/request.html

Those without internet access can call 229-671-2790 to report damage.

Cleanup Hotline

If you need assistance cleaning damages from Hurricane Helene, call Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 844-965-1386. Crisis Cleanup is a collaborative disaster work order management platform that improves coordination, reduces duplication of efforts, improves efficiency, and improves volunteers' experience.

Home Repair Fraud

Please contact our Inspections Manager Rick Mefford at (229)-460-4118.

Georgia Recovery Project

Starting Friday, October 4th, the Georgia Recovery Project team will be available from 10 AM to 3 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room of the City Hall Annex, 300 N Lee St, to provide emotional support and connect individuals with mental health services as needed.