By Barbara Augsdorfer, Editor for the Effingham Herald
Speaker of the Georgia House Jon Burns and State Rep. Bill Hitchins stopped by the Herald office Oct. 3 to give an update on state and federal efforts to restoring power and getting back to normal.
Both men want to assure Georgians that county, state, and federal agencies are working to help affected residents. Even though Effingham County has not yet been declared a disaster area by FEMA, the area is being assessed and documented and that declaration may be coming soon.
Residents have asked on Facebook why Effingham County has not yet been declared a disaster area, which would open up access to federal funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
According to Burns, Effingham County’s congressional delegation (Rep. Buddy Carter and Rep. Rick Allen) is “on top” of the situation and “It’s just a matter of time before FEMA responds,” Burns said. “And not only designate Effingham County, but all these other counties that have been impacted.”
“It’s a process,” said Speaker Burns. “Our EEMA Chief Clint Hodges has done a marvelous job.
“(Everything) goes through GEMA (Georgia Emergency Management Agency), and then all the information then moves on to FEMA,” Burns explained. He added that FEMA’s first declaration involved 11 counties and after Gov. Brian Kemp reached out to FEMA and President Joe Biden and other federal partners, the total counties FEMA declared was 90, then later 30 more.
“Effingham County was not one of those counties. Bryan county is not one of those counties. Warren County, up in near Augusta is in the heart of the damage. It's not one of the counties,” Burns said. “Wayne County, which has just suffered substantial losses as part of South Georgia, and Glenn County, and then they picked Liberty County.”
Burns said that county staff was out documenting damage on Saturday (Sept. 28) and that citizens should continue documenting anything they see with photographs – any documentation they can provide. According to Burns State Insurance Commissioner John King is going to set up a central location to deal with private insurers and “making sure resources are available there to the citizens of the state,” Burns said.
“It’s all hands on deck from the state government,” Burns continued. “When they’ve seen situations where there may be some concerns in public safety, they brought in (National Guard) troops from the western part of the state.”
And while most, if not all of Effingham County’s traffic lights are up and working again, some parts of the state – especially rural areas – may still have intersections with non-working lights.
“If you travel north of here (Effingham County) the lights are not working right. They’re on the ground,” Burns said. “Treat the intersection like a four-way stop.
“And be sure to fill up because not all the gas stations are open,” Hitchens said. “On the way to Augusta I saw one gas station open and there must have been 100 cars lined up along the road.”
Burns added that if a resident has a need here to reach out to EEMA director Clint Hodges and he’ll make sure that’s forwarded on to GEMA; or they can call Burns or Hitchens’ local offices.
Burns’ office number is 404-656-5020; and Hitchens’ office number is 404-656-5126.
