Tornado Updates and Volunteer Information

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Latest Updates

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Storm Related Notice for Home Owners & Contractors (Updated 2/6/13)

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SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Georgia Residents Affected by Severe Storms and Tornadoes in Bartow and Gordon Counties

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Assistance With Storm Debris Removal (2/7/13)

United Way of Gordon County (UWGC) continues to receive requests for assistance from victims of the recent storm including help with defraying the cost of storm debris disposal.
Because Gordon County’s public works department is limited to natural debris collection and disposal, officials with UWGC reached out to its long-time community partner, Santek Waste Services of Georgia.

“Since Gordon County does not qualify for monetary assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, we must find ways to help individuals who have no homeowners insurance and cannot afford to pay landfill disposal fees,” said Vickie Spence, Executive Director of United Way. “Santek recognizes this need, and has agreed to waive the fees for a limited amount of tonnage for those individuals who meet UWGC’s eligibility requirements.”
UWGC will provide vouchers to eligible individuals.

Eligibility will be offered to those individuals who provide the following information:

1. Proof of address in storm area
2. An affidavit claiming expenses will not be reimbursed by any other agency (form provided at United Way)
3. An estimate of the number of tons to be disposed. (One pick-up truck load typically equals one-half ton)

Individuals in need of assistance must apply in person at UWGC’s office located at the Calhoun Depot in downtown Calhoun, 109 S. King. Business hours are 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Individuals who qualify for voucher must present them at the landfill for each load.

Spence said UWGC appreciates Santek for providing this service to the Gordon County community.

For more information, contact UWGC at 706-602-5548.

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Gordon County EMA and all storm relief efforts have pulled out of the Sonoraville Recreation Center.

All storm relief efforts, including donation drop-offs and distribution, have been moved to the old Big Lots on Hwy 53 behind Starbucks.
Storm victims may also contact any of the following agencies for assistance:

Donations & Distribution
Donated Goods Center (the old Big Lots): 706-879-2870

Temporary Housing:
American Red Cross: 404-870-4440
The Calhoun/Gordon County United Way: 109 S King St Calhoun, GA 30701 (706) 602-5548

Framland / Cropland Debris Removal & Replace Fencing:
USDA: 717 South Wall Street in Calhoun or call us at 706-629-2582.

Assistance with cost of storm debris removal:
The Calhoun/Gordon County United Way: 109 S King St Calhoun, GA 30701 (706) 602-5548

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USDA Disaster Assistance Available For January 30th Tornado (2/7/13)

The Farm Service Agency has been approved to begin taking applications, under the Emergency Conservation Program, from producers in Bartow and Gordon Counties that suffered qualifying losses in the January 30, 2013 tornado that hit the Counties. We have two practices available to provide assistance Debris Removal and Restoring Permanent Fencing. The debris must be scattered across cropland and/or pasture and hay land and consist of trees and construction debris.

If you had damaged or destroyed permanent fencing we can assist with cost shares to restore this fencing. Due to this program not being considered an entitlement program you must have at least $2,000.00 in qualifying damage to be eligible. Signup will begin on February 18, 2013 and will end on Friday, March 15, 2013.

For further information interested producers can come by our office located at 717 South Wall Street in Calhoun or call us at 706-629-2582.

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Gordon County Storm Debris Removal Policy (Updated 2/6/13)

The Gordon County Public Works Department will make an initial round on each street picking up natural debris (trees, limbs, brush) caused by the storm that is blocking roadways and right-of-way.  Gordon County will ensure that all roadways and the right-of-way will be clear for traffic.  After the initial round by the Public Works Department, each property owner will be responsible for debris removal from private property from that point forward.  To view a list of streets that have already been cleared, please visit: https://gordoncounty.org/streets

Property owners may take the natural debris as well as any other debris to the Gordon County Landfill at 1224 Pleasant Hill Road Extension Ranger, GA 30734.  Hours of operations are Monday – Friday, 6:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturdays – 7:00 am – 1:00 pm

Reduced dumping fees are as follows:

• Construction debris (house debris, doors, lumber, windows, carpet, and etc…)  reduced from $35.95 per ton to $29.95 per ton.
• For natural debris (trees, limbs, and brush) from $22.15 per ton to $15.00 per ton.
• Metal can be disposed for free at all Convenience sites except Dews Pond.

For more information, please call the Emergency Operations Center at 706-879-2850 Monday-Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Gordon County Fire Department is asking everyone NOT to burn house debris including lumber, plywood, furniture, and etc…

Thank you all for your cooperation.

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Volunteer Information

Volunteer Groups of 10 or more:

Please report to the Disaster Relief Unit that is based at Antioch Baptist Church in Calhoun. Samaritan’s Purse is asking for volunteer groups. to join us as we help homeowners by cutting up and removing downed trees, clearing debris, and tarping damaged roofs.

Individual Volunteers:

Please contact any of the local church or civil organizations within the affected communities about volunteer opportunities.  To volunteer in the donation/distribution center please call 706-879-2870.  Also, you may reach out to the city of Adairsville by reporting to the Adairsville Church of God on Highway 41

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Monetary Donations (2/6/13)

Gordon County Emergency Management is no longer accepting monetary donations.  If anyone would like to give a monetary donation we ask that you contact the Calhoun United Way at 109 S King St  Calhoun, GA 30701 (706) 602-5548 or any of the other non-profit organizations that have helped assist Gordon County including:

• The American Red Cross: (706) 291-6648
• Salvation Army: (770) 441-6200
• Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief: 1-800-746-4422
• Adventist Community Disaster Response: (423) 236-4273

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Curfew Has Been Lifted for the Storm Affected Areas of Gordon County (2/6/13)

The emergency curfew has been lifted for the storm affected areas of Gordon County.  The Gordon County Sheriff’s Office presence and man power will remain the same through the following days to ensure the publics safety and property.

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American Red Cross Press Release (2/5 13)

Contact: Jeffrey Putnam / Jeffrey.putnam@redcross.org / 706-291-6648 or Ruben Brown / f5rb@aol.com / 404-290-2851

Red Cross Transitions Shelters; Continues One-on-One Assistance for Tornado-Stricken Families
NW Georgia residents with emergency needs urged to call 404-870-4440

ATLANTA, February 5, 2013 — Red Cross caseworkers in Bartow and Gordon counties are meeting with families today through mobile outreach and at established Red Cross centers to help them develop a plan for recovery and to provide emergency assistance. Red Cross shelters co-located at the centers will transition out today as all previous shelter residents have located alternate housing. Water, snacks and bulk supplies will continue to be available at both center locations.

Residents who cannot live in their homes are urged to call to set up an appointment to meet with a caseworker or to simply drop by a Red Cross center. Residents whose damaged homes are livable but have other disaster-caused needs are asked to call and arrange to speak with a Red Cross caseworker.

Red Cross Call Center Phone Number:
404-870-4440

Call Center Hours of Operation:
Noon – 8:00 p.m. daily until further notice

Call Center Purpose:
To receive requests for help and to provide information on Red Cross disaster services for residents of Bartow and Gordon counties, especially those with emergency needs resulting from significant tornado/storm damage to their homes.

Red Cross Shelter / Casework Center Locations:

Bartow County:
Manning Mill Youth Center 163-B Manning Mill Road Adairsville, GA 30103

Gordon County:
Sonoraville Recreation Center 7494 Fairmount Hwy Calhoun, GA 30701

Casework Center Hours of Operation:
Noon – 7:00 p.m. daily until further notice

Casework Center Purpose
Place where families with emergency needs resulting from significant storm damage to their homes can get personal assistance from a Red Cross caseworker by appointment or on a first-come, first-served basis.

Following last week’s severe weather in Georgia, Red Cross assessments show that more than 250 homes were either destroyed or had major damage, most of them in Bartow and Gordon counties. Caseworkers can help affected families develop a plan for recovery and provide emergency assistance for such things as food, clothing, relocation, prescription replacement, emotional support and referrals for additional resources.

To date, the Red Cross has provided more than 91 overnight stays for displaced families, and served more than 1,531 meals at shelters and through mobile outreach in partnership with the Salvation Army.

Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) will continue mobile feeding (snacks and water) in hard-hit areas today. Hundreds of clean-up kits and bulk items were distributed from ERVs throughout the weekend; these supplies will be available at the Red Cross casework centers today.

Dozens of Red Cross disaster responders from the Northwest Georgia and Metro Atlanta chapters are supporting the relief effort, and are joined by emergency partners from the surrounding area.

How You Can Help

Red Cross disaster relief efforts are made possible through the generosity of the public. Georgians can click (www.redcross.org) or call (1-800-RED-CROSS) to make a credit card donation or text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

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Reduced Storm Debris Disposal Rates at Gordon County Landfill

For storm debris only: (From Chris Johnson with Santek Waste Services)

Construction Debris (walls, lumber, blocks, bricks, doors, windows, carpet, and etc…) reduced from $35.95 per ton to $29.95 per ton.

For natural debris (trees, limbs, and brush) from $22.15 per ton to $15.00 per ton.

Metal can be disposed of for free at all Convenience sites except Dews Pond. There is not room to place a metal box at that site.

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Temporary Housing

American Red Cross: Disaster Casework Assistance Available for People with Storm-Related Damage to Their Homes

If your home was DESTROYED or sustained MAJOR DAMAGE and you cannot live in it, call 404-870-4440 to schedule a home visit or drop by a Red Cross casework center from noon until 7:00 pm starting Feb. 4th at:

Bartow County:
Manning Mill Youth Center
163-B Manning Mill Road
Adairsville, GA 30103

Gordon County:
Sonoraville Recreation Center
7494 Fairmount Hwy
Calhoun, GA 30701

If your home had MINOR DAMAGE and you are able to live in it or you have other needs, call 404-870-4440 starting Feb. 4th from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm to arrange to talk to a Red Cross caseworker.

United Way Assistance with Temporary Housing

Gordon County United Way is helping to relocate Gordon County residents only.  Each United Way has different ways to assist their communities and this is how Gordon County United Way decided to help.  Adairsville residents need to contact the Bartow County United Way.  Gordon County residents with an Adairsville addresses need to also contact Gordon County.  United Way of Bartow County will be handling the assistance for Bartow County residents.

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Press Release from Gordon County Emergency Management Agency on 2/3/2013

Gordon County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is working diligently with all public safety agencies to assist the victims and appreciates the volunteers helping the tornado stricken areas. On Saturday approximately 500-600 volunteers helped in some capacity from accepting donated goods, cooking, and serving food, debris clean up, tarping, or any other task possible to help the community. Volunteer coordination will continue on today (Sunday) from Sonoraville High School from 8:00am till this evening. There are still many that need assistance and can benefit from volunteers. After Sunday Gordon County EMA will take a limited role in volunteer management.

On Monday, Samaritan’s Purse along with Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief will have crews on the ground to begin the process of disaster relief and recovery. They will begin by assessing affected neighborhoods.

Churches, civic organizations, or individuals wishing to volunteer own your own please use caution and avoid unsafe areas. Make sure to obtain permission from the home owner and do not put yourself in any danger.

Again Gordon County Emergency Management Agency is thankful for everyone who has helped the affected community.

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Contractors must be permitted

We are asking ALL contractors to first report to the Gordon County Building & Planning Office to receive a permit before they are allowed to do any work in the affected areas.  If your house or property needs woork by a contractor, please ask to see their proper paper work.

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Lost Pets

If you need help with finding lost pets, you may contact Animal Rescue League of Northwest GA, Inc. Their website is arlofnwga.petfinder.com or call them at 678-848-1889

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Donation Items Still Needed (2/6/2013)

Donation Items Still Needed (Non perishable foods, cleaning supplies, and toiletries) can be dropped off ONLY at the old Big Lots on Hwy 53 behind Starbucks. PLEASE DO NOT take donations to Sonoraville High School or the Fire Departments. All clothing should be donated to the Voluntary Action Center (VAC) or other Charitable / Non-Profit Organizations

The DonatedGoodsCenter is in need of the following:

• Pet Needs
• Commercially Canned Foods (especially canned vegetables)
• Non-perishable foods (peanut butter, jelly, coffee, and etc)
• Condiment Items (salt, pepper, catsup, mustard, mayonnaise)
• Baby Formula
• Baby Diapers and Wipes ( All Sizes )
• Baby Food
• Powered or Canned Milk
• Personal Hygiene Products (especially Women Hygiene products)
• Tarps
• Trash Bags (all sizes)
• Cleaning Supplies
•  Paper Products (bath tissue, paper towels, paper plates, cups)
• Plastic Products (eating utensils, cups, food wrap, food containers)
• Gloves (work)