Summary
Following a severe weather event in January 2023, Spalding County Extension immediately partnered with local authorities to help area residents and businesses recover from the damage. The Spalding County Emergency Management Agency tasked Spalding County Extension staff with establishing a call center that would organize relief efforts by connecting residents seeking assistance to the appropriate relief organizations, directing donated goods and services to areas of need across the county, and coordinating and training any volunteer personnel that would operate the call center over the coming weeks.
Situation
On January 12, 2023, the National Weather Service confirmed at least 4 tornadoes had touched down in Spalding County. The strongest of these was an EF3 tornado, which traveled approximately 32 miles on the ground, through the center of downtown Griffin, at speeds exceeding 140 mph. This resulted in thousands of downed trees, broken power lines, and over 2200 homes and businesses damaged or destroyed across the county. Nearly 60% of Griffin’s power system was destroyed. Thousands of residents were without electricity for several days following the storm and dozens of roads remained closed for weeks after the storm, slowing recovery and relief efforts. A centralized reporting system was needed to catalog what areas of the county needed immediate service and what was most needed in those areas.
“I’ve never witnessed anything like that in my life. And I’ve been around a good while.” - Charles Lovett, Griffin resident of 47 years.
"We’re using lanterns and candles to get around the house for 5 days now" – Robin Driver, Griffin resident.
Response
Extension staff were able to create a spreadsheet of requests reported from residents and volunteers as they surveyed the damage. Names, phone numbers, addresses, and specific needs were recorded with each contact. The Tornado Relief Hotline was operated by CEC/4-H Agent Leah Wooddall and ANR Agent Philip Hensley, Monday-Saturday from 9:00-6:00. Shifts of 2-4 volunteers rotated every 5 hours. An information board was created and updated in real time as residents’ needs changed, and as donation centers, aid stations, and housing shelters opened. Areas cleared of damage and debris were also noted in the spreadsheet and later entered via an online program that allowed recovery crews to update progress instantly.
Collaborators included the Spalding EMA, Spalding County Senior Center, American Red Cross, The Salvation Army of Griffin, Team Rubicon, Samaritan’s Purse Ministries, City of Griffin Stormwater Department, Georgia Department of Human Services, and countless independent contractors from across the state that volunteered their time, staff, and equipment.
Impact
The hotline logged over 1500 calls from affected residents and eager volunteers over an 8-week period, from January to March. Most calls for assistance occurred within the first 3 weeks following the storm, at which point FEMA centers were established as the main point of contact for those affected. The most common requests received at the hotline were for tree/debris removal, delivery of food, supplies, and medicine, as well as shelter and transportation assistance. Extension staff also lead teams of volunteers through neighborhood streets clearing limbs and debris, delivering meals and supplies, and unclogging storm drains to avoid flooding. Volunteer cleanup teams met 4 separate times, led by the ANR Agent. A group of 8 volunteers cleared 16 streets with a total of 34 volunteer hours.
“We had about $3 million worth of damage with sidewalks because trees uprooted them. We’ve had some water main breaks. A lot of times because the ground shifts it’s usually after the storm comes that you see the main breaks.” - Jessica O’Conner, Griffin City Manager
"Storm water has become a problem because we have drainage ditches that normally would be able to take rain but they're full of trees. We cleaned over 200 of them yesterday and they were hoping to get to 300 more today." - Jessica O’Conner, Griffin City Manager
State Issue
Other Programming
Details
-
Year:
2023
-
Geographic Scope:
County
-
County:
Spalding
-
Location:
College Station, Athens
-
Program Areas:
- Agriculture & Natural Resources
