Weathering a storm in the Augusta, Georgia, area has its challenges. Hurricanes and storms bring heavy winds and copious amounts of rain. Winds can cause extensive damage to your home and property, and heavy rains can cause flooding and water damage. If local authorities declare evacuation orders for your Augusta community, heed the warnings.
Prepare for storms and potential evacuation by gathering important documents, securing your pets, and photographing pictures of your home and possessions. In addition, you may need to find immediate shelter during the storm. If your home is uninhabitable after the storm, you must secure a safe and comfortable temporary rental for you and your family.
How to Find Temporary Shelter During and After the Storm
If you need to evacuate, you need somewhere to go. When you leave your home, you can stay with friends or family, rent a hotel room, find a vacation rental, or go to a shelter. During a natural disaster, many local businesses open their doors for temporary shelter. In Augusta, shelters include, the Bernie Ward Center, Carrie J. Mays Center, May Park, and the Sand Hills Center.
The Red Cross offers several shelters throughout the Augusta area. When you stay at a temporary Red Cross shelter, you'll get a safe place to sleep, meals, snacks, and water. In addition, Red Cross team members offer basic first aid and emotional and mental health support.
Post-Storm Housing Resources
Storms can bring massive amounts of damage to an area, including downed trees, flooded roads, and damage to your home. Depending on the severity of the damage, you may need to stay away from your home for a few days or weeks.
Most storm shelters only allow you to stay for a select amount of time, and you may need post-storm housing. Airbnb.org offers free housing to select individuals and families. Additionally, Build Change offers temporary housing for those affected by storms and other natural disasters.
Financial Resources for Housing and Essential Needs
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a federal resource that provides financial help and resources to individuals and families after a natural disaster like a hurricane. For immediate help, FEMA will connect you with local Augusta emergency management officials. Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for additional information on obtaining emergency help.
If the president of the United States declares an area a major disaster, FEMA can offer disaster assistance. Apply to DisasterAssistance.gov to start the process of getting financial help from FEMA. Many areas affected by storms do not have access to Wi-Fi and can call FEMA at 800-621-3362, or if available, stop by a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center.
You can also get help and resources from FEMA that cover immediate serious needs, displacement money, and medical/dental coverage. In addition, FEMA offers rental assistance money, lodging expense reimbursement, and if eligible, finances for home repair or replacement.
Private organizations such as Catholic Charities USA, Project Hope, and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. will also provide relief and financial assistance during natural disasters.
Use Reputable Rental Sites to Secure Safe Housing
Disaster cleanup and relief can take enormous amounts of time and resources, including those to make your home safe and habitable again. While many government and private organizations may offer immediate financial and housing assistance, you may need to find a rental for long-term living during the cleanup process.
If you have pets, finding suitable housing can add an extra challenge to finding a rental. When many displaced individuals or families need long-term rentals, you may find limited inventory when it comes to housing your pets as well. In addition, you want to be careful of unscrupulous people offering over-priced or substandard housing during a natural disaster.
Work with your local or federal agencies for rental advice and referrals first. Talk to local realtors and property managers about available rentals, or use reputable online sources for rentals in the Augusta area. Use sources such as:
- Apartments.com.
- Zillow.
- Trulia.
- Realtor.com.
- Apartment Guide.
Be prepared to fill out an application, and provide your credit score and history. You'll also need to show proof of your financial situation to qualify for a reputable rental. If you're renting with pets, be prepared to pay a special pet deposit fee, and be sure to abide by any pet rules and regulations.
During a natural disaster, you often have to leave all your possessions behind. If this is the case, consider trying to find a furnished apartment or home. You may also check with local consignment shops, second-hand shops, and discount retailers to find affordable furniture and kitchenware to hold you over during your rental period.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can help you find safe and affordable housing. The HUD Exchange can also help you find food banks, health centers, and have special resources for veterans.
Storage Resources for Household Possessions
Repairing or rebuilding your home after a storm may take weeks or months. You'll need to clear your furniture and possessions out of the house so the contractors and workers can do their jobs efficiently. You can rent a storage unit in town, or utilize the services of mobile storage solutions. U-Haul and PODS offer portable moving and storage containers, and many local Augusta companies also rent mobile storage containers and offer secure storage in their yards.
Consider Getting Flood Insurance
Homeowners insurance does not include coverage from flood damage. However, many insurance companies offer a rider or deductible on the insurance policy for flood damage. You'll need to pay a higher price on your policy if you choose to add flood insurance, but the cost may outweigh the amount of money you'll have to pay out of pocket for flood cleanup and damage. If your insurance company doesn't offer a flood insurance deductible, you can apply with FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program.
Secure a Safe and Comfortable Rental After a Storm
Being displaced after a storm or natural disaster can be life-altering and traumatic. However, local, state, federal, and private organizations offer resources for financial help and temporary housing and rentals. Contact the City of Augusta for more information about local resources for safe and comfortable rentals after a storm.