Episode Details

On the Wednesday October 9th edition of Georgia Today: FEMA works to clean up debris from Hurricane Helene as Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida; A minor plane collision jars passengers at Atlanta's Hartsfield Jackson International Airport; And as part of Georgia Pre-K week, a former UGA Bulldog reads to children.

Orlando Montoya: Hello and welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Wednesday, October 9th. I'm Orlando Montoya. On today's episode, FEMA helps residents of Georgia clean up from Hurricane Helene. Even as Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida. A minor plane collision last month jarred passengers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. We'll tell you what was behind the collision. And as part of Georgia Pre-K week, a former UGA Bulldawg and a former NFL player talks about children's literacy. Those stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.

Story 1:

Orlando Montoya: As Georgia continues to recover from Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton is bearing down on Florida. This busy hurricane season has put emergency services in the spotlight and no agency more than the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA to help answer some of the questions. We're going to speak now with Jaclyn Rothenberg, FEMA's public affairs director. Thanks so much for talking to me today.

Jaclyn Rothenberg: Thank you for having me.

Orlando Montoya: There seems to be some confusion about FEMA's specific role in Georgia for Hurricane Helene recovery. What are you responsible for? And talk about some of the things you're doing.

Jaclyn Rothenberg: Yeah. So FEMA is responsible for helping these communities recover following the disaster, things like debris removal. Helping people get access to our individual assistance program. I believe now there are about $50 million we've given out to nearly over 60,000 households. That's people that have applied for assistance from FEMA. And so our objective right now is to make sure we help reach as many people as possible, that they continue applying for more assistance from us by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.

Orlando Montoya: And there are different types of financial aid that some people qualify for. Can you talk about immediate assistance? This is that $750 amount we've heard so much about.

Jaclyn Rothenberg: So I'm really glad you asked that question because you're right, there has been a lot of confusion about this program. The $750 is intended to be for immediate needs for people. That includes things like clothing or medicine, baby formula. FEMA's individual assistance program is quite broad and includes assistance for things like home repair. Our Serious Needs Assistance program, which is where people hear that $750 from, which is really the beginning of what you'll receive from FEMA and includes personal property assistance. If your roof is is damaged, if you have mold in your home. And so there's a variety of different options that you can qualify for if you apply for assistance from FEMA, that's by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.

Orlando Montoya: With electricity still out in some places as well as unreliable cell service. What's the best way for people to reach you?

Jaclyn Rothenberg: So the best way to reach us. So we have our disaster survivor assistance teams that are going into neighborhoods to sign people up for assistance if you're someone that doesn't have power. We also have our disaster recovery centers that are opening across the state and will make sure that you have that information so you can give out those addresses. Those are some of the best places for people to sign up for assistance from FEMA. We also have our disaster assistance.gov,