SANDERSVILLE, Ga. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in Central Georgia helping people after Hurricane Helene roared through the area last month.
FEMA set up a disaster recovery center in Sandersville to help rural Georgians. Michael Hart with FEMA says they are ready to meet people where they are.
"There's thousands of people who need our help - more than that, especially in this area where Hurricane Helene hit pretty hard," Hart said. "We're just here to help as many people [as possible]. If you are affected by the storm in any way, this is where they come to really jump start their recovery process."
From downed trees to lack of food and gas, Hart says FEMA is here to help and answer any questions rural Georgians have.
"For us, it is all about service to others and when FEMA has to get involved in any type of situation, that means there's a community, there are people, there are families who many times have been going through some of the toughest times in their life," Hart said.
Kenneth Daniel found out FEMA was in Sandersville when he got a call from the deacon at his church. He says he came to ask if they could fix up his home.
"I have home insurance but the big tree fell and it fell in my yard into my neighbor's yard and I just don't have the finances to do the clean up," Daniel said.
Hart says FEMA can assist with damage or loss to their property during Hurricane Helene. He says there is a misconception about the $750 needs assistance.
"People think that $750 is the only assistance that they're eligible to receive. And that is not true at all. The $750 is something that they can get relatively easy, while the remainder of the application process continues to move forward. That $750 can be used for food, water, fuel for their car, baby items, and things like that," Hart said.
If you have insurance, Hart says to talk to your insurance agent first then talk to FEMA for additional support.
"The first call that everybody needs to do is to call their insurance company first and then the very next call they need to make should be to FEMA. FEMA cannot duplicate any assistance that a family or a resident gets from their insurance company. But we can work in conjunction with that assistance," Hart said.
For now, Daniel hopes he doesn't have to wait long to get the tree out of his yard.
The center is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 514 North Harris Street in Sandersville.