SAVANNAH, GA (August 12, 2024) – United Way of the Coastal Empire has expanded the Rapid Response Disaster Fund across all four counties, to include Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty counties. These funds will provide critical response and recovery support to impacted residents across the region.

In the wake of Tropical Storm Debby, residents across Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties are facing severe challenges due to widespread flooding and storm damage. Homes have been damaged and many families displaced. The storm’s impact has left communities in urgent need of support as they begin the recovery process. In response to this crisis, the United Way of the Coastal Empire has activated its Rapid Response Disaster Fund to provide immediate relief to those affected, ensuring that vital resources and assistance reach the most vulnerable populations during this critical time.

In 2023, United Way of the Coastal Empire launched a formal partnership with the Emergency Management Agencies in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty counties to support disaster recovery in an emergency. Each County Emergency Management Agency determines when the Rapid Response Disaster Fund is necessary and should be activated. United Way’s role in this partnership is to spearhead fundraising efforts for disaster response and recovery.

On Thursday, August 8th, the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency activated the Rapid Response Disaster Fund for Chatham County. Following damage assessments in Bryan, Effingham, and Liberty Counties, the respective County Emergency Management Agencies also activated the Rapid Response Disaster Fund. United Way will remain in close contact with all our county partners to ensure coordinated efforts. Funds will be allocated across the community for short-term relief and long-term recovery efforts as determined necessary by the County Emergency Management Agencies, based on damage and needs assessments.

“At United Way of the Coastal Empire, we understand that the flooding has significantly impacted families and households throughout our community. We stand ready to support,” says Kimberly Waller, United Way of the Coastal Empire President and CEO. “Through this partnership, our role is to harness the caring power of our community by raising funds to address the immediate needs of our neighbors impacted by the storm and related flooding, and to support the long-term recovery of our community.”

 Give to Rapid Response Disaster Fund

Donations to the Rapid Response Disaster Fund can be made by visiting the United Way of the Coastal Empire website at uwce.org.

Resources

• If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.
• If a downed power line is encountered, it should not be approached. Residents should call 911 to report and alert Georgia Power at 888-891-0938, Coastal Electric at 800-421-2343, Canoochee Electric at 800-342-0134.
• United Way, CEMA, Bryan Emergency Management Agency (BEMA) and the Coastal Empire Disaster Recovery Committee (CEDRC) are using Crisis Cleanup to collect information from Chatham County residents who have physical damage to their homes following Tropical Storm Debby and the related flooding event. If a homeowner has damage to their home or property, they can call 1-844-965-1386 to register for voluntary agency assistance. Registering with Crisis Cleanup does not guarantee assistance but does allow for organizations within the area to receive notification of the needs within the community.
• Effingham County residents should report damage from TS Debby by calling or emailing the hotline established for this event. Please include your name, address, and phone number. Call 912-754-8311 or email StormHelp@EffinghamCounty.org.
• Residents in Liberty County are advised to capture clear images of the impact on their property before and after the water recedes. These photographs, a detailed description of the damage, and the full address should be sent to the local emergency management agency at libertycountyema@libertycountyga.com.
• Residents impacted by the storm may contact United Way’s 211 Information & Referral System for critical resources and information by calling 2-1-1, emailing 211@uwce.org, or visiting United Way’s website at org/211.

UNITED WAY OF THE COASTAL EMPIRE EXPANDS RAPID RESPONSE  DISASTER FUND IN RESPONSE TO TROPICAL STORM DEBBY AND RELATED FLOODING ACROSS BRYAN, CHATHAM, EFFINGHAM, AND LIBERTY COUNTIES