Volunteer help organized to aid storm victims

Published 11:45 am Thursday, January 26, 2017

THOMASVILLE — A resource center for volunteer help has been established for those wanting to help tornado and storm victims in need of assistance.

Thomas County damage from the Sunday inclement weather is estimated at $5 million, said Chris Jones, Thomas County emergency management director.

Close to 9,000 manhours have been logged since Sunday by public works, utilities and road crews and emergency medical, fire, law enforcement and 911 personnel, Jones said.

Several thousand cubic yards of storm debris has been removed.

At a Thursday morning news conference, Jones said a volunteer coordinating team is in Thomasville to register volunteers, to provide locations where aid is needed and to track volunteers’ time in the field.

As an example, Jones said, volunteers can include individuals, families, teams and churches.

The effort’s first priority is to help people remove debris from houses. Second is working with farmers in removing debris from agriculture areas.

“There’s a lot to be done,” Jones said. ” … We’re expecting a big day of volunteers Saturday.”

Jones said city and county building departments are on alert about non-licensed individuals approaching storm victims to do repairs and rebuilding.

“If you’re not registered, you’ll suffer the consequences of that,” Jones said, in reference to unscrupulous people preying on storm victims.

Donated goods not needed here will be forwarded to other storm-ravaged counties.

Neighbors serving neighbors is the focus of the volunteer effort, Jones said.

“Those who lost their homes in this, this is their (Hurricane) Katrina,” he added.

The volunteer resource center is at the Thomasville-Thomas County Emergency Services Center, 1202 Remington Ave.

Hands On Thomas County is looking for volunteers to staff the resource center from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, until volunteer efforts end.

Hands On Thomas County may be reached at 226-5200.

Those needing volunteer help should call (978) 799-3947.

To volunteer, call (678) 829-1211.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820