name: FEMA DRC: Cherokee Rec. & Parks Agency in Woodstock (DRC OPEN) (SHELTER CLOSING SOON) -> FEMA DRC: Cherokee Rec. & Parks Agency in Woodstock (DRC operation is CLOSING FRIDAY 10/16/09) (SHELTER CLOSING SOON)
notes: 9/29/09 TF: per FEMA/GEMA: population is dwindling, SHELTER operations winding down, closing soon. THE DRC REMAINS OPEN! Apply For Disaster Assistance It's Your First Step to Recovery Release Date: September 29, 2009 Release Number: 1858-014 ATLANTA, Ga. -- Recent floods were very disruptive, creating challenges for flood survivors that will continue long after the initial cleanup. The first step to recovery is only a phone call or click away. Register For Assistance If you have insurance, you should contact your insurance agent first. Knowing the amount of coverage your policy provides will help FEMA assist with unmet and underinsured needs. Next, call the FEMA toll-free registration number 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY at 800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired or register online at www.disasterassistance.gov. Registration normally takes less than half an hour. FEMA disaster assistance will not restore individuals and households to their pre-disaster condition. It helps get safe and sanitary housing and meet other critical needs so flood survivors begin their long-term recovery. If a loss is covered by another source, such as insurance, or is taken care of by a volunteer group, donation or gift, FEMA cannot pay for that cost again. Duplicate payments are prohibited by law. FEMA DISASTER PROGRAMS Temporary Housing - Rental assistance for two months for those whose homes are unlivable. Repair - Homeowners may receive a grant for minimal home repairs and replacement of essential household items that are not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - applicants receive grants for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage, and other expenses that FEMA approves. The homeowner may need to apply for an SBA loan before receiving this grant. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan - After registering, many applicants, including homeowners, renters and businesses, will receive an SBA loan application in the mail. If you receive one, you are strongly urged to complete and return the application to keep the door open for other types of assistance. If a home loan is not appropriate, you may be referred to the state/FEMA Other Needs Assistance (ONA) grant program-but SBA must decline your loan application first. You are not obligated to take an SBA loan if approved, but if the loan is offered and refused, there is no referral to ONA. FEMA assistance, also referred to as a grant, does not have to be repaid. SBA federal disaster loans used to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property are offered at low-interest rates to those who qualify. Other Forms of Assistance Disaster Unemployment Assistance -Workers in 17 counties may be eligible for Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to compensate for loss of income directly related to the September storms and flooding. Unlike state unemployment insurance, DUA provides benefits to self-employed business people, farmers, commission-paid employees, and others not typically covered by the state unemployment insurance program. People who think they may be eligible for benefits should call the Georgia Department of Labor toll-free customer service line at 877-709-8185 or visit www.dol.state.ga.us to be directed to the nearest career center. Disaster Legal Services - People in those same counties may also qualify for free legal help for disaster-related issues such as landlord-tenant disputes, insurance claims, unemployment benefits, consumer law and housing law. The service is provided by the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the Georgia Legal Services Program and FEMA. Apply for legal services by calling, toll-free, 866-584-8027. Crisis Counseling - Free crisis counseling is available to anyone suffering from anxiety, depression or stress from the flooding and storms. Individuals can call the Georgia Crisis Access Line at 800-715-4225 or the Georgia Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 800-784-2433. Both lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The counties under the disaster declaration for Individual Assistance are Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker. FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. ============================================= Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Per Ken Skalitzky, FEMA, this site is now a DRC. Cherokee County DRC #2 7545 Main Street, Bldg 200 Woodstock, GA 30188 Evac Capacity (per RCNSS: 533) Population as of 9/23: 40 (per FEMA) Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said. -> 10/16/09, per FEMA, this site's DRC operation is closing today. 9/29/09 TF: per FEMA/GEMA: population is dwindling, SHELTER operations winding down, closing soon. THE DRC REMAINS OPEN! Apply For Disaster Assistance It's Your First Step to Recovery Release Date: September 29, 2009 Release Number: 1858-014 ATLANTA, Ga. -- Recent floods were very disruptive, creating challenges for flood survivors that will continue long after the initial cleanup. The first step to recovery is only a phone call or click away. Register For Assistance If you have insurance, you should contact your insurance agent first. Knowing the amount of coverage your policy provides will help FEMA assist with unmet and underinsured needs. Next, call the FEMA toll-free registration number 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY at 800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired or register online at www.disasterassistance.gov. Registration normally takes less than half an hour. FEMA disaster assistance will not restore individuals and households to their pre-disaster condition. It helps get safe and sanitary housing and meet other critical needs so flood survivors begin their long-term recovery. If a loss is covered by another source, such as insurance, or is taken care of by a volunteer group, donation or gift, FEMA cannot pay for that cost again. Duplicate payments are prohibited by law. FEMA DISASTER PROGRAMS Temporary Housing - Rental assistance for two months for those whose homes are unlivable. Repair - Homeowners may receive a grant for minimal home repairs and replacement of essential household items that are not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - applicants receive grants for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage, and other expenses that FEMA approves. The homeowner may need to apply for an SBA loan before receiving this grant. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan - After registering, many applicants, including homeowners, renters and businesses, will receive an SBA loan application in the mail. If you receive one, you are strongly urged to complete and return the application to keep the door open for other types of assistance. If a home loan is not appropriate, you may be referred to the state/FEMA Other Needs Assistance (ONA) grant program-but SBA must decline your loan application first. You are not obligated to take an SBA loan if approved, but if the loan is offered and refused, there is no referral to ONA. FEMA assistance, also referred to as a grant, does not have to be repaid. SBA federal disaster loans used to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property are offered at low-interest rates to those who qualify. Other Forms of Assistance Disaster Unemployment Assistance -Workers in 17 counties may be eligible for Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to compensate for loss of income directly related to the September storms and flooding. Unlike state unemployment insurance, DUA provides benefits to self-employed business people, farmers, commission-paid employees, and others not typically covered by the state unemployment insurance program. People who think they may be eligible for benefits should call the Georgia Department of Labor toll-free customer service line at 877-709-8185 or visit www.dol.state.ga.us to be directed to the nearest career center. Disaster Legal Services - People in those same counties may also qualify for free legal help for disaster-related issues such as landlord-tenant disputes, insurance claims, unemployment benefits, consumer law and housing law. The service is provided by the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the Georgia Legal Services Program and FEMA. Apply for legal services by calling, toll-free, 866-584-8027. Crisis Counseling - Free crisis counseling is available to anyone suffering from anxiety, depression or stress from the flooding and storms. Individuals can call the Georgia Crisis Access Line at 800-715-4225 or the Georgia Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 800-784-2433. Both lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The counties under the disaster declaration for Individual Assistance are Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker. FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. ============================================= Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Per Ken Skalitzky, FEMA, this site is now a DRC. Cherokee County DRC #2 7545 Main Street, Bldg 200 Woodstock, GA 30188 Evac Capacity (per RCNSS: 533) Population as of 9/23: 40 (per FEMA) Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said.
status: Open -> Standby

name: FEMA DRC: Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency in Woodstock (DRC OPEN) (SHELTER CLOSING SOON) -> FEMA DRC: Cherokee Rec. & Parks Agency in Woodstock (DRC OPEN) (SHELTER CLOSING SOON)
notes: 0/29/09TF: per FEMA/GEMA: population is dwindling, SHELTER operations winding down, closing soon. THE DRC REMAINS OPEN! Apply For Disaster Assistance It's Your First Step to Recovery Release Date: September 29, 2009 Release Number: 1858-014 ATLANTA, Ga. -- Recent floods were very disruptive, creating challenges for flood survivors that will continue long after the initial cleanup. The first step to recovery is only a phone call or click away. Register For Assistance If you have insurance, you should contact your insurance agent first. Knowing the amount of coverage your policy provides will help FEMA assist with unmet and underinsured needs. Next, call the FEMA toll-free registration number 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY at 800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired or register online at www.disasterassistance.gov. Registration normally takes less than half an hour. FEMA disaster assistance will not restore individuals and households to their pre-disaster condition. It helps get safe and sanitary housing and meet other critical needs so flood survivors begin their long-term recovery. If a loss is covered by another source, such as insurance, or is taken care of by a volunteer group, donation or gift, FEMA cannot pay for that cost again. Duplicate payments are prohibited by law. FEMA DISASTER PROGRAMS Temporary Housing - Rental assistance for two months for those whose homes are unlivable. Repair - Homeowners may receive a grant for minimal home repairs and replacement of essential household items that are not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - applicants receive grants for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage, and other expenses that FEMA approves. The homeowner may need to apply for an SBA loan before receiving this grant. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan - After registering, many applicants, including homeowners, renters and businesses, will receive an SBA loan application in the mail. If you receive one, you are strongly urged to complete and return the application to keep the door open for other types of assistance. If a home loan is not appropriate, you may be referred to the state/FEMA Other Needs Assistance (ONA) grant program-but SBA must decline your loan application first. You are not obligated to take an SBA loan if approved, but if the loan is offered and refused, there is no referral to ONA. FEMA assistance, also referred to as a grant, does not have to be repaid. SBA federal disaster loans used to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property are offered at low-interest rates to those who qualify. Other Forms of Assistance Disaster Unemployment Assistance -Workers in 17 counties may be eligible for Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to compensate for loss of income directly related to the September storms and flooding. Unlike state unemployment insurance, DUA provides benefits to self-employed business people, farmers, commission-paid employees, and others not typically covered by the state unemployment insurance program. People who think they may be eligible for benefits should call the Georgia Department of Labor toll-free customer service line at 877-709-8185 or visit www.dol.state.ga.us to be directed to the nearest career center. Disaster Legal Services - People in those same counties may also qualify for free legal help for disaster-related issues such as landlord-tenant disputes, insurance claims, unemployment benefits, consumer law and housing law. The service is provided by the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the Georgia Legal Services Program and FEMA. Apply for legal services by calling, toll-free, 866-584-8027. Crisis Counseling - Free crisis counseling is available to anyone suffering from anxiety, depression or stress from the flooding and storms. Individuals can call the Georgia Crisis Access Line at 800-715-4225 or the Georgia Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 800-784-2433. Both lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The counties under the disaster declaration for Individual Assistance are Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker. FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. ============================================= Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Per Ken Skalitzky, FEMA, this site is now a DRC. Cherokee County DRC #2 7545 Main Street, Bldg 200 Woodstock, GA 30188 Evac Capacity (per RCNSS: 533) Population as of 9/23: 40 (per FEMA) Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said. -> 9/29/09 TF: per FEMA/GEMA: population is dwindling, SHELTER operations winding down, closing soon. THE DRC REMAINS OPEN! Apply For Disaster Assistance It's Your First Step to Recovery Release Date: September 29, 2009 Release Number: 1858-014 ATLANTA, Ga. -- Recent floods were very disruptive, creating challenges for flood survivors that will continue long after the initial cleanup. The first step to recovery is only a phone call or click away. Register For Assistance If you have insurance, you should contact your insurance agent first. Knowing the amount of coverage your policy provides will help FEMA assist with unmet and underinsured needs. Next, call the FEMA toll-free registration number 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY at 800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired or register online at www.disasterassistance.gov. Registration normally takes less than half an hour. FEMA disaster assistance will not restore individuals and households to their pre-disaster condition. It helps get safe and sanitary housing and meet other critical needs so flood survivors begin their long-term recovery. If a loss is covered by another source, such as insurance, or is taken care of by a volunteer group, donation or gift, FEMA cannot pay for that cost again. Duplicate payments are prohibited by law. FEMA DISASTER PROGRAMS Temporary Housing - Rental assistance for two months for those whose homes are unlivable. Repair - Homeowners may receive a grant for minimal home repairs and replacement of essential household items that are not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - applicants receive grants for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage, and other expenses that FEMA approves. The homeowner may need to apply for an SBA loan before receiving this grant. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan - After registering, many applicants, including homeowners, renters and businesses, will receive an SBA loan application in the mail. If you receive one, you are strongly urged to complete and return the application to keep the door open for other types of assistance. If a home loan is not appropriate, you may be referred to the state/FEMA Other Needs Assistance (ONA) grant program-but SBA must decline your loan application first. You are not obligated to take an SBA loan if approved, but if the loan is offered and refused, there is no referral to ONA. FEMA assistance, also referred to as a grant, does not have to be repaid. SBA federal disaster loans used to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property are offered at low-interest rates to those who qualify. Other Forms of Assistance Disaster Unemployment Assistance -Workers in 17 counties may be eligible for Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to compensate for loss of income directly related to the September storms and flooding. Unlike state unemployment insurance, DUA provides benefits to self-employed business people, farmers, commission-paid employees, and others not typically covered by the state unemployment insurance program. People who think they may be eligible for benefits should call the Georgia Department of Labor toll-free customer service line at 877-709-8185 or visit www.dol.state.ga.us to be directed to the nearest career center. Disaster Legal Services - People in those same counties may also qualify for free legal help for disaster-related issues such as landlord-tenant disputes, insurance claims, unemployment benefits, consumer law and housing law. The service is provided by the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the Georgia Legal Services Program and FEMA. Apply for legal services by calling, toll-free, 866-584-8027. Crisis Counseling - Free crisis counseling is available to anyone suffering from anxiety, depression or stress from the flooding and storms. Individuals can call the Georgia Crisis Access Line at 800-715-4225 or the Georgia Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 800-784-2433. Both lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The counties under the disaster declaration for Individual Assistance are Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker. FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. ============================================= Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Per Ken Skalitzky, FEMA, this site is now a DRC. Cherokee County DRC #2 7545 Main Street, Bldg 200 Woodstock, GA 30188 Evac Capacity (per RCNSS: 533) Population as of 9/23: 40 (per FEMA) Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said.

name: FEMA DRC: Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency in Woodstock (SHELTER CLOSING SOON) (RED CROSS) -> FEMA DRC: Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency in Woodstock (DRC OPEN) (SHELTER CLOSING SOON)
notes: 0/29/09TF: per FEMA/GEMA: population is dwindling, SHELTER operations winding down, closing soon. THE DRC REMAINS OPEN! Apply For Disaster Assistance It's Your First Step to Recovery Release Date: September 29, 2009 Release Number: 1858-014 » More Information on Georgia Severe Storms and Flooding » 2009 Region IV News Releases ATLANTA, Ga. -- Recent floods were very disruptive, creating challenges for flood survivors that will continue long after the initial cleanup. The first step to recovery is only a phone call or click away. Register For Assistance If you have insurance, you should contact your insurance agent first. Knowing the amount of coverage your policy provides will help FEMA assist with unmet and underinsured needs. Next, call the FEMA toll-free registration number 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY at 800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired or register online at www.disasterassistance.gov. Registration normally takes less than half an hour. FEMA disaster assistance will not restore individuals and households to their pre-disaster condition. It helps get safe and sanitary housing and meet other critical needs so flood survivors begin their long-term recovery. If a loss is covered by another source, such as insurance, or is taken care of by a volunteer group, donation or gift, FEMA cannot pay for that cost again. Duplicate payments are prohibited by law. FEMA DISASTER PROGRAMS Temporary Housing - Rental assistance for two months for those whose homes are unlivable. Repair - Homeowners may receive a grant for minimal home repairs and replacement of essential household items that are not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - applicants receive grants for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage, and other expenses that FEMA approves. The homeowner may need to apply for an SBA loan before receiving this grant. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan - After registering, many applicants, including homeowners, renters and businesses, will receive an SBA loan application in the mail. If you receive one, you are strongly urged to complete and return the application to keep the door open for other types of assistance. If a home loan is not appropriate, you may be referred to the state/FEMA Other Needs Assistance (ONA) grant program-but SBA must decline your loan application first. You are not obligated to take an SBA loan if approved, but if the loan is offered and refused, there is no referral to ONA. FEMA assistance, also referred to as a grant, does not have to be repaid. SBA federal disaster loans used to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property are offered at low-interest rates to those who qualify. Other Forms of Assistance Disaster Unemployment Assistance -Workers in 17 counties may be eligible for Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to compensate for loss of income directly related to the September storms and flooding. Unlike state unemployment insurance, DUA provides benefits to self-employed business people, farmers, commission-paid employees, and others not typically covered by the state unemployment insurance program. People who think they may be eligible for benefits should call the Georgia Department of Labor toll-free customer service line at 877-709-8185 or visit www.dol.state.ga.us to be directed to the nearest career center. Disaster Legal Services - People in those same counties may also qualify for free legal help for disaster-related issues such as landlord-tenant disputes, insurance claims, unemployment benefits, consumer law and housing law. The service is provided by the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the Georgia Legal Services Program and FEMA. Apply for legal services by calling, toll-free, 866-584-8027. Crisis Counseling - Free crisis counseling is available to anyone suffering from anxiety, depression or stress from the flooding and storms. Individuals can call the Georgia Crisis Access Line at 800-715-4225 or the Georgia Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 800-784-2433. Both lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The counties under the disaster declaration for Individual Assistance are Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker. FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. ============================================= Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Per Ken Skalitzky, FEMA, this site is now a DRC. Cherokee County DRC #2 7545 Main Street, Bldg 200 Woodstock, GA 30188 Opened: Friday, September 25, 2009, 12:00pm – 7:00pm Hours: 8:00am- 7:00pm, 7 days a week, until further notice Evac Capacity (per RCNSS: 533) Population as of 9/23: 40 (per FEMA) Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said. -> 0/29/09TF: per FEMA/GEMA: population is dwindling, SHELTER operations winding down, closing soon. THE DRC REMAINS OPEN! Apply For Disaster Assistance It's Your First Step to Recovery Release Date: September 29, 2009 Release Number: 1858-014 ATLANTA, Ga. -- Recent floods were very disruptive, creating challenges for flood survivors that will continue long after the initial cleanup. The first step to recovery is only a phone call or click away. Register For Assistance If you have insurance, you should contact your insurance agent first. Knowing the amount of coverage your policy provides will help FEMA assist with unmet and underinsured needs. Next, call the FEMA toll-free registration number 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY at 800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired or register online at www.disasterassistance.gov. Registration normally takes less than half an hour. FEMA disaster assistance will not restore individuals and households to their pre-disaster condition. It helps get safe and sanitary housing and meet other critical needs so flood survivors begin their long-term recovery. If a loss is covered by another source, such as insurance, or is taken care of by a volunteer group, donation or gift, FEMA cannot pay for that cost again. Duplicate payments are prohibited by law. FEMA DISASTER PROGRAMS Temporary Housing - Rental assistance for two months for those whose homes are unlivable. Repair - Homeowners may receive a grant for minimal home repairs and replacement of essential household items that are not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - applicants receive grants for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage, and other expenses that FEMA approves. The homeowner may need to apply for an SBA loan before receiving this grant. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan - After registering, many applicants, including homeowners, renters and businesses, will receive an SBA loan application in the mail. If you receive one, you are strongly urged to complete and return the application to keep the door open for other types of assistance. If a home loan is not appropriate, you may be referred to the state/FEMA Other Needs Assistance (ONA) grant program-but SBA must decline your loan application first. You are not obligated to take an SBA loan if approved, but if the loan is offered and refused, there is no referral to ONA. FEMA assistance, also referred to as a grant, does not have to be repaid. SBA federal disaster loans used to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property are offered at low-interest rates to those who qualify. Other Forms of Assistance Disaster Unemployment Assistance -Workers in 17 counties may be eligible for Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to compensate for loss of income directly related to the September storms and flooding. Unlike state unemployment insurance, DUA provides benefits to self-employed business people, farmers, commission-paid employees, and others not typically covered by the state unemployment insurance program. People who think they may be eligible for benefits should call the Georgia Department of Labor toll-free customer service line at 877-709-8185 or visit www.dol.state.ga.us to be directed to the nearest career center. Disaster Legal Services - People in those same counties may also qualify for free legal help for disaster-related issues such as landlord-tenant disputes, insurance claims, unemployment benefits, consumer law and housing law. The service is provided by the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the Georgia Legal Services Program and FEMA. Apply for legal services by calling, toll-free, 866-584-8027. Crisis Counseling - Free crisis counseling is available to anyone suffering from anxiety, depression or stress from the flooding and storms. Individuals can call the Georgia Crisis Access Line at 800-715-4225 or the Georgia Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 800-784-2433. Both lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The counties under the disaster declaration for Individual Assistance are Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker. FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. ============================================= Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Per Ken Skalitzky, FEMA, this site is now a DRC. Cherokee County DRC #2 7545 Main Street, Bldg 200 Woodstock, GA 30188 Evac Capacity (per RCNSS: 533) Population as of 9/23: 40 (per FEMA) Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said.
hours: See notes below -> M-Sat: 8 am to 7 pm, Sun: 1 pm to 7 pm

facility_type: Shelter -> Walk-in Resource

notes: 0/29/09TF: per FEMA/GEMA: population is dwindling, operations winding down, closing soon. Apply For Disaster Assistance It's Your First Step to Recovery Release Date: September 29, 2009 Release Number: 1858-014 » More Information on Georgia Severe Storms and Flooding » 2009 Region IV News Releases ATLANTA, Ga. -- Recent floods were very disruptive, creating challenges for flood survivors that will continue long after the initial cleanup. The first step to recovery is only a phone call or click away. Register For Assistance If you have insurance, you should contact your insurance agent first. Knowing the amount of coverage your policy provides will help FEMA assist with unmet and underinsured needs. Next, call the FEMA toll-free registration number 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY at 800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired or register online at www.disasterassistance.gov. Registration normally takes less than half an hour. FEMA disaster assistance will not restore individuals and households to their pre-disaster condition. It helps get safe and sanitary housing and meet other critical needs so flood survivors begin their long-term recovery. If a loss is covered by another source, such as insurance, or is taken care of by a volunteer group, donation or gift, FEMA cannot pay for that cost again. Duplicate payments are prohibited by law. FEMA DISASTER PROGRAMS Temporary Housing - Rental assistance for two months for those whose homes are unlivable. Repair - Homeowners may receive a grant for minimal home repairs and replacement of essential household items that are not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - applicants receive grants for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage, and other expenses that FEMA approves. The homeowner may need to apply for an SBA loan before receiving this grant. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan - After registering, many applicants, including homeowners, renters and businesses, will receive an SBA loan application in the mail. If you receive one, you are strongly urged to complete and return the application to keep the door open for other types of assistance. If a home loan is not appropriate, you may be referred to the state/FEMA Other Needs Assistance (ONA) grant program-but SBA must decline your loan application first. You are not obligated to take an SBA loan if approved, but if the loan is offered and refused, there is no referral to ONA. FEMA assistance, also referred to as a grant, does not have to be repaid. SBA federal disaster loans used to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property are offered at low-interest rates to those who qualify. Other Forms of Assistance Disaster Unemployment Assistance -Workers in 17 counties may be eligible for Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to compensate for loss of income directly related to the September storms and flooding. Unlike state unemployment insurance, DUA provides benefits to self-employed business people, farmers, commission-paid employees, and others not typically covered by the state unemployment insurance program. People who think they may be eligible for benefits should call the Georgia Department of Labor toll-free customer service line at 877-709-8185 or visit www.dol.state.ga.us to be directed to the nearest career center. Disaster Legal Services - People in those same counties may also qualify for free legal help for disaster-related issues such as landlord-tenant disputes, insurance claims, unemployment benefits, consumer law and housing law. The service is provided by the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the Georgia Legal Services Program and FEMA. Apply for legal services by calling, toll-free, 866-584-8027. Crisis Counseling - Free crisis counseling is available to anyone suffering from anxiety, depression or stress from the flooding and storms. Individuals can call the Georgia Crisis Access Line at 800-715-4225 or the Georgia Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 800-784-2433. Both lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The counties under the disaster declaration for Individual Assistance are Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker. FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. ============================================= Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Per Ken Skalitzky, FEMA, this site is now a DRC. Cherokee County DRC #2 7545 Main Street, Bldg 200 Woodstock, GA 30188 Opened: Friday, September 25, 2009, 12:00pm – 7:00pm Hours: 8:00am- 7:00pm, 7 days a week, until further notice Evac Capacity (per RCNSS: 533) Population as of 9/23: 40 (per FEMA) Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said. -> 0/29/09TF: per FEMA/GEMA: population is dwindling, SHELTER operations winding down, closing soon. THE DRC REMAINS OPEN! Apply For Disaster Assistance It's Your First Step to Recovery Release Date: September 29, 2009 Release Number: 1858-014 » More Information on Georgia Severe Storms and Flooding » 2009 Region IV News Releases ATLANTA, Ga. -- Recent floods were very disruptive, creating challenges for flood survivors that will continue long after the initial cleanup. The first step to recovery is only a phone call or click away. Register For Assistance If you have insurance, you should contact your insurance agent first. Knowing the amount of coverage your policy provides will help FEMA assist with unmet and underinsured needs. Next, call the FEMA toll-free registration number 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY at 800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired or register online at www.disasterassistance.gov. Registration normally takes less than half an hour. FEMA disaster assistance will not restore individuals and households to their pre-disaster condition. It helps get safe and sanitary housing and meet other critical needs so flood survivors begin their long-term recovery. If a loss is covered by another source, such as insurance, or is taken care of by a volunteer group, donation or gift, FEMA cannot pay for that cost again. Duplicate payments are prohibited by law. FEMA DISASTER PROGRAMS Temporary Housing - Rental assistance for two months for those whose homes are unlivable. Repair - Homeowners may receive a grant for minimal home repairs and replacement of essential household items that are not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - applicants receive grants for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage, and other expenses that FEMA approves. The homeowner may need to apply for an SBA loan before receiving this grant. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan - After registering, many applicants, including homeowners, renters and businesses, will receive an SBA loan application in the mail. If you receive one, you are strongly urged to complete and return the application to keep the door open for other types of assistance. If a home loan is not appropriate, you may be referred to the state/FEMA Other Needs Assistance (ONA) grant program-but SBA must decline your loan application first. You are not obligated to take an SBA loan if approved, but if the loan is offered and refused, there is no referral to ONA. FEMA assistance, also referred to as a grant, does not have to be repaid. SBA federal disaster loans used to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property are offered at low-interest rates to those who qualify. Other Forms of Assistance Disaster Unemployment Assistance -Workers in 17 counties may be eligible for Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to compensate for loss of income directly related to the September storms and flooding. Unlike state unemployment insurance, DUA provides benefits to self-employed business people, farmers, commission-paid employees, and others not typically covered by the state unemployment insurance program. People who think they may be eligible for benefits should call the Georgia Department of Labor toll-free customer service line at 877-709-8185 or visit www.dol.state.ga.us to be directed to the nearest career center. Disaster Legal Services - People in those same counties may also qualify for free legal help for disaster-related issues such as landlord-tenant disputes, insurance claims, unemployment benefits, consumer law and housing law. The service is provided by the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the Georgia Legal Services Program and FEMA. Apply for legal services by calling, toll-free, 866-584-8027. Crisis Counseling - Free crisis counseling is available to anyone suffering from anxiety, depression or stress from the flooding and storms. Individuals can call the Georgia Crisis Access Line at 800-715-4225 or the Georgia Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 800-784-2433. Both lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The counties under the disaster declaration for Individual Assistance are Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker. FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. ============================================= Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Per Ken Skalitzky, FEMA, this site is now a DRC. Cherokee County DRC #2 7545 Main Street, Bldg 200 Woodstock, GA 30188 Opened: Friday, September 25, 2009, 12:00pm – 7:00pm Hours: 8:00am- 7:00pm, 7 days a week, until further notice Evac Capacity (per RCNSS: 533) Population as of 9/23: 40 (per FEMA) Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said.
status: Standby -> Open

name: FEMA DRC: Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency in Woodstock (SHELTER OPEN) (RED CROSS) -> FEMA DRC: Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency in Woodstock (SHELTER CLOSING SOON) (RED CROSS)
notes: Apply For Disaster Assistance It's Your First Step to Recovery Release Date: September 29, 2009 Release Number: 1858-014 » More Information on Georgia Severe Storms and Flooding » 2009 Region IV News Releases ATLANTA, Ga. -- Recent floods were very disruptive, creating challenges for flood survivors that will continue long after the initial cleanup. The first step to recovery is only a phone call or click away. Register For Assistance If you have insurance, you should contact your insurance agent first. Knowing the amount of coverage your policy provides will help FEMA assist with unmet and underinsured needs. Next, call the FEMA toll-free registration number 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY at 800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired or register online at www.disasterassistance.gov. Registration normally takes less than half an hour. FEMA disaster assistance will not restore individuals and households to their pre-disaster condition. It helps get safe and sanitary housing and meet other critical needs so flood survivors begin their long-term recovery. If a loss is covered by another source, such as insurance, or is taken care of by a volunteer group, donation or gift, FEMA cannot pay for that cost again. Duplicate payments are prohibited by law. FEMA DISASTER PROGRAMS Temporary Housing - Rental assistance for two months for those whose homes are unlivable. Repair - Homeowners may receive a grant for minimal home repairs and replacement of essential household items that are not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - applicants receive grants for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage, and other expenses that FEMA approves. The homeowner may need to apply for an SBA loan before receiving this grant. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan - After registering, many applicants, including homeowners, renters and businesses, will receive an SBA loan application in the mail. If you receive one, you are strongly urged to complete and return the application to keep the door open for other types of assistance. If a home loan is not appropriate, you may be referred to the state/FEMA Other Needs Assistance (ONA) grant program-but SBA must decline your loan application first. You are not obligated to take an SBA loan if approved, but if the loan is offered and refused, there is no referral to ONA. FEMA assistance, also referred to as a grant, does not have to be repaid. SBA federal disaster loans used to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property are offered at low-interest rates to those who qualify. Other Forms of Assistance Disaster Unemployment Assistance -Workers in 17 counties may be eligible for Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to compensate for loss of income directly related to the September storms and flooding. Unlike state unemployment insurance, DUA provides benefits to self-employed business people, farmers, commission-paid employees, and others not typically covered by the state unemployment insurance program. People who think they may be eligible for benefits should call the Georgia Department of Labor toll-free customer service line at 877-709-8185 or visit www.dol.state.ga.us to be directed to the nearest career center. Disaster Legal Services - People in those same counties may also qualify for free legal help for disaster-related issues such as landlord-tenant disputes, insurance claims, unemployment benefits, consumer law and housing law. The service is provided by the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the Georgia Legal Services Program and FEMA. Apply for legal services by calling, toll-free, 866-584-8027. Crisis Counseling - Free crisis counseling is available to anyone suffering from anxiety, depression or stress from the flooding and storms. Individuals can call the Georgia Crisis Access Line at 800-715-4225 or the Georgia Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 800-784-2433. Both lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The counties under the disaster declaration for Individual Assistance are Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker. FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. ============================================= Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Per Ken Skalitzky, FEMA, this site is now a DRC. Cherokee County DRC #2 7545 Main Street, Bldg 200 Woodstock, GA 30188 Opened: Friday, September 25, 2009, 12:00pm – 7:00pm Hours: 8:00am- 7:00pm, 7 days a week, until further notice Evac Capacity (per RCNSS: 533) Population as of 9/23: 40 (per FEMA) Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said. -> 0/29/09TF: per FEMA/GEMA: population is dwindling, operations winding down, closing soon. Apply For Disaster Assistance It's Your First Step to Recovery Release Date: September 29, 2009 Release Number: 1858-014 » More Information on Georgia Severe Storms and Flooding » 2009 Region IV News Releases ATLANTA, Ga. -- Recent floods were very disruptive, creating challenges for flood survivors that will continue long after the initial cleanup. The first step to recovery is only a phone call or click away. Register For Assistance If you have insurance, you should contact your insurance agent first. Knowing the amount of coverage your policy provides will help FEMA assist with unmet and underinsured needs. Next, call the FEMA toll-free registration number 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY at 800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired or register online at www.disasterassistance.gov. Registration normally takes less than half an hour. FEMA disaster assistance will not restore individuals and households to their pre-disaster condition. It helps get safe and sanitary housing and meet other critical needs so flood survivors begin their long-term recovery. If a loss is covered by another source, such as insurance, or is taken care of by a volunteer group, donation or gift, FEMA cannot pay for that cost again. Duplicate payments are prohibited by law. FEMA DISASTER PROGRAMS Temporary Housing - Rental assistance for two months for those whose homes are unlivable. Repair - Homeowners may receive a grant for minimal home repairs and replacement of essential household items that are not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - applicants receive grants for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage, and other expenses that FEMA approves. The homeowner may need to apply for an SBA loan before receiving this grant. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan - After registering, many applicants, including homeowners, renters and businesses, will receive an SBA loan application in the mail. If you receive one, you are strongly urged to complete and return the application to keep the door open for other types of assistance. If a home loan is not appropriate, you may be referred to the state/FEMA Other Needs Assistance (ONA) grant program-but SBA must decline your loan application first. You are not obligated to take an SBA loan if approved, but if the loan is offered and refused, there is no referral to ONA. FEMA assistance, also referred to as a grant, does not have to be repaid. SBA federal disaster loans used to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property are offered at low-interest rates to those who qualify. Other Forms of Assistance Disaster Unemployment Assistance -Workers in 17 counties may be eligible for Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to compensate for loss of income directly related to the September storms and flooding. Unlike state unemployment insurance, DUA provides benefits to self-employed business people, farmers, commission-paid employees, and others not typically covered by the state unemployment insurance program. People who think they may be eligible for benefits should call the Georgia Department of Labor toll-free customer service line at 877-709-8185 or visit www.dol.state.ga.us to be directed to the nearest career center. Disaster Legal Services - People in those same counties may also qualify for free legal help for disaster-related issues such as landlord-tenant disputes, insurance claims, unemployment benefits, consumer law and housing law. The service is provided by the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the Georgia Legal Services Program and FEMA. Apply for legal services by calling, toll-free, 866-584-8027. Crisis Counseling - Free crisis counseling is available to anyone suffering from anxiety, depression or stress from the flooding and storms. Individuals can call the Georgia Crisis Access Line at 800-715-4225 or the Georgia Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 800-784-2433. Both lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The counties under the disaster declaration for Individual Assistance are Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker. FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. ============================================= Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Per Ken Skalitzky, FEMA, this site is now a DRC. Cherokee County DRC #2 7545 Main Street, Bldg 200 Woodstock, GA 30188 Opened: Friday, September 25, 2009, 12:00pm – 7:00pm Hours: 8:00am- 7:00pm, 7 days a week, until further notice Evac Capacity (per RCNSS: 533) Population as of 9/23: 40 (per FEMA) Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said.
status: Open -> Standby

notes: Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Per Ken Skalitzky, FEMA, this site is now a DRC. Cherokee County DRC #2 7545 Main Street, Bldg 200 Woodstock, GA 30188 Opened: Friday, September 25, 2009, 12:00pm – 7:00pm Hours: 8:00am- 7:00pm, 7 days a week, until further notice Evac Capacity (per RCNSS: 533) Population as of 9/23: 40 (per FEMA) Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said. -> Apply For Disaster Assistance It's Your First Step to Recovery Release Date: September 29, 2009 Release Number: 1858-014 » More Information on Georgia Severe Storms and Flooding » 2009 Region IV News Releases ATLANTA, Ga. -- Recent floods were very disruptive, creating challenges for flood survivors that will continue long after the initial cleanup. The first step to recovery is only a phone call or click away. Register For Assistance If you have insurance, you should contact your insurance agent first. Knowing the amount of coverage your policy provides will help FEMA assist with unmet and underinsured needs. Next, call the FEMA toll-free registration number 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY at 800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired or register online at www.disasterassistance.gov. Registration normally takes less than half an hour. FEMA disaster assistance will not restore individuals and households to their pre-disaster condition. It helps get safe and sanitary housing and meet other critical needs so flood survivors begin their long-term recovery. If a loss is covered by another source, such as insurance, or is taken care of by a volunteer group, donation or gift, FEMA cannot pay for that cost again. Duplicate payments are prohibited by law. FEMA DISASTER PROGRAMS Temporary Housing - Rental assistance for two months for those whose homes are unlivable. Repair - Homeowners may receive a grant for minimal home repairs and replacement of essential household items that are not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - applicants receive grants for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage, and other expenses that FEMA approves. The homeowner may need to apply for an SBA loan before receiving this grant. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan - After registering, many applicants, including homeowners, renters and businesses, will receive an SBA loan application in the mail. If you receive one, you are strongly urged to complete and return the application to keep the door open for other types of assistance. If a home loan is not appropriate, you may be referred to the state/FEMA Other Needs Assistance (ONA) grant program-but SBA must decline your loan application first. You are not obligated to take an SBA loan if approved, but if the loan is offered and refused, there is no referral to ONA. FEMA assistance, also referred to as a grant, does not have to be repaid. SBA federal disaster loans used to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property are offered at low-interest rates to those who qualify. Other Forms of Assistance Disaster Unemployment Assistance -Workers in 17 counties may be eligible for Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to compensate for loss of income directly related to the September storms and flooding. Unlike state unemployment insurance, DUA provides benefits to self-employed business people, farmers, commission-paid employees, and others not typically covered by the state unemployment insurance program. People who think they may be eligible for benefits should call the Georgia Department of Labor toll-free customer service line at 877-709-8185 or visit www.dol.state.ga.us to be directed to the nearest career center. Disaster Legal Services - People in those same counties may also qualify for free legal help for disaster-related issues such as landlord-tenant disputes, insurance claims, unemployment benefits, consumer law and housing law. The service is provided by the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the Georgia Legal Services Program and FEMA. Apply for legal services by calling, toll-free, 866-584-8027. Crisis Counseling - Free crisis counseling is available to anyone suffering from anxiety, depression or stress from the flooding and storms. Individuals can call the Georgia Crisis Access Line at 800-715-4225 or the Georgia Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 800-784-2433. Both lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The counties under the disaster declaration for Individual Assistance are Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker. FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. ============================================= Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Per Ken Skalitzky, FEMA, this site is now a DRC. Cherokee County DRC #2 7545 Main Street, Bldg 200 Woodstock, GA 30188 Opened: Friday, September 25, 2009, 12:00pm – 7:00pm Hours: 8:00am- 7:00pm, 7 days a week, until further notice Evac Capacity (per RCNSS: 533) Population as of 9/23: 40 (per FEMA) Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said.

name: Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency in Woodstock (SHELTER OPEN) (FEMA DRC) (RED CROSS) -> FEMA DRC: Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency in Woodstock (SHELTER OPEN) (RED CROSS)

region: -> NorthEast

name: Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency in Woodstock (SHELTER OPEN) (FEMA DRC#1) (RED CROSS) -> Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency in Woodstock (SHELTER OPEN) (FEMA DRC) (RED CROSS)

address: Admin: 7545 Main Street Building 200 SHELTER IS AT THE SOUTH ANNEX FEMA Registration (DRC) is at Bldg 200 -> Admin: 7545 Main Street FEMA Registration (DRC): building 20 (Gym) (per 9/27 list, older list has it at Building 200) SHELTER IS AT THE SOUTH ANNEX

organization: State Run Evacuation Shelter -> Evacuation Shelter & DRC

parish: -> Cherokee
name: Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency in Woodstock (SHELTER OPEN) (RED CROSS) -> Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency in Woodstock (SHELTER OPEN) (FEMA DRC#1) (RED CROSS)
address: Admin: 7545 Main Street Building 200 SHELTER IS AT THE SOUTH ANNEX -> Admin: 7545 Main Street Building 200 SHELTER IS AT THE SOUTH ANNEX FEMA Registration (DRC) is at Bldg 200
notes: Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Evac Capacity (per RCNSS: 533) Population as of 9/23: 40 (per FEMA) Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said. -> Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Per Ken Skalitzky, FEMA, this site is now a DRC. Cherokee County DRC #2 7545 Main Street, Bldg 200 Woodstock, GA 30188 Opened: Friday, September 25, 2009, 12:00pm – 7:00pm Hours: 8:00am- 7:00pm, 7 days a week, until further notice Evac Capacity (per RCNSS: 533) Population as of 9/23: 40 (per FEMA) Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said.
hours: -> See notes below

notes: Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Evac Capacity (per RCNSS: 533) Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said. -> Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Evac Capacity (per RCNSS: 533) Population as of 9/23: 40 (per FEMA) Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said.

name: Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency in Woodstock (SHELTER OPEN) -> Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency in Woodstock (SHELTER OPEN) (RED CROSS)

notes: Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said. -> Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Evac Capacity (per RCNSS: 533) Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said.

notes: Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said. -> Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Reporter: Ashley Fuller, afuller@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said.

notes: Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. -> Hobgood Park Phone: (770) 924-7865 J.J. Biello Park Phone: (770) 928-4453 Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross Reporter: Kristal Dixon, kdixon@cherokeetribune.com Source: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county%20&id=3683731--Extensive-+flood+damage+seen+in+county&instance=home_news_left Cherokee County emergency management officials today will begin assessing the "extensive" damage caused by historic flooding. A three-day rainfall total of 15 inches, including as many as eight inches on Monday, has led Gov. Sonny Perdue and county Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens to declare a state of emergency for Cherokee. A letter from Georgia's U.S. senators and representatives has been sent to President Barack Obama urging his immediate approval of the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for the state. Cherokee is one of 17 counties where a disaster has been declared. "It was the worst flooding in the Woodstock area I have ever seen," said Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The previous record height of Noonday Creek in Woodstock was 16 feet, which was reached in 2005. Westbrook said the creek reached 20 feet on Monday. Lake Allatoona was at 850 feet on Tuesday morning, significantly above the normal elevation for this time of year of 835 feet, said Ron Papaleoni, general manager of the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority. "We are still getting water from the upper end of the watershed. That could go on for another day or two," he said. The Etowah River was at 18.5 feet on Tuesday morning after peaking at more than 20 feet late Monday night, said Clint Blackwell, manager of the water treatment plant for the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. The flooding caused a significant amount of structural damage in the county, Westbrook said, which he will evaluate when the damage assessment begins in earnest today. "There are a lot of places you can't get to because the water is still too high," he said, adding "numerous" homes, apartments and buildings were affected. "In the Woodstock area and some areas in Canton, there is extensive damage." Any Cherokee County resident whose home or business received damage is asked to call the county's Emergency Operations Center at (678) 493-4050 or (678) 493-4051 to make a storm report. The phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. Cherokee County is not yet clear of bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and a 30-percent chance on Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and into the weekend. Numerous roads including many major highways were closed due to flooding on Monday. Local public safety agencies performed about two dozen rescues of motorists who drove into water and stalled their cars, according to Westbrook. Buildings along Parkway 575 in Woodstock were evacuated on Monday, including three hotels. Waldan Chase Apartments on Dupree Road in Woodstock and Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments also were evacuated. All public safety staff on duty was assigned to storm response, and volunteers also were called in to serve. The county received aid from Pickens and Gilmer Counties agencies, Westbrook said. Westbrook said there were power outages scattered throughout the county, and some customers still were out of power Tuesday afternoon. Georgia Power Area Manager Rod Drake said the company had some outages, but power had been restored. Local crews were sent to Douglasville and Austell to assist in those harder-hit communities. A shelter was opened on Monday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex in Woodstock. It is staffed by the Cherokee County Public Health Department, Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, the Red Cross and members of the county's Citizen Emergency Response Team. By Tuesday afternoon, most major roads through the county, including Interstate 575, Highway 92, Highway 5, Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway, were reopened. Westbrook said Kellogg Creek Road will be closed for an extended period due to "major structural damage." Also to be closed for an indefinite period due to damage are the northernmost portion of Parkway 575 in Woodstock and Haynes Road in Canton. There is no timeline for reopening Mohawk Trail or Yorkshire Drive, Iron Mountain Road is open only for limited access and McClure Drive, which still was closed on Tuesday, could be opened today. The Victoria and Galts Ferry Day Use Areas on Lake Allatoona and the Payne Campground boat ramp and some sites at Victoria Campground are closed due to flooding, as is Fields Landing Park. In Woodstock, the tennis courts at Dupree Park are closed, as was Old Rope Mill Park and in Canton, both Boling and Heritage Parks are closed. The South Cherokee Recreation Association fields on Highway 5 in Woodstock were completely underwater on Monday, damaging all facilities and equipment. Municipal operations also were affected by the weather. Meetings of the city councils of Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock on Monday were cancelled. All Woodstock city government offices closed early on Monday. The Cherokee County Health Department cancelled its drive-through flu-shot event on Tuesday, and both the clinics in Woodstock and Canton were closed. Cherokee County School District schools were not in session on Monday, as students and staff have the week off for fall break. Minor leaks were reported at Bascomb, Clayton and Oak Grove elementary schools and Creekland Middle. There were leaks in Mill Creek Middle gym and in the rotunda at Woodstock High. Water was reported on the floors at Sequoyah High, as were mud problems at the construction site for River Ridge High. *** http://cherokeetribune.com/bookmark/3683730 At least 60 people displaced, hundreds of houses swamped by Kristal Dixon kdixon@cherokeetribune.com September 22, 2009 11:00 PM Kristina Sorg of Woodstock never thought Mother Nature would force her and her 20-month-old baby to flee their Waldan Chase apartment on Dupree Road. But as the heavy rains from Monday flooded the first floor of the complex, Ms. Sorg said she and her toddler were hip-high in water within minutes. "We were soaked," she said. "Everything is under water." Ms. Sorg, along with 19 other Waldan Chase apartment residents, were evacuated from the complex by emergency workers as Cherokee County braced for some of the worst flooding it's ever seen. The flooding across the county forced emergency management officials to open a shelter at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's recreation center at the South Annex on Main Street in Woodstock. Along with Waldan Chase apartments residents, 27 people were evacuated from the Avonlea at Towne Lake Apartments near Stonebridge Parkway in Towne Lake and 101 people were evacuated from hotels and medical offices on Parkway 575 in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas. Late Tuesday afternoon, the fire department still was assessing whether Waldan Chase residents would be able to return to their apartments. Residents in Avonlea have been allowed to return, but those staying in hotels on Parkway 575 only were allowed to return and collect belongings. Several businesses and offices within the vicinity of Parkway 575 at Highway 92 also were closed Tuesday due to flooding. On Monday, more than 60 people were registered at the shelter set up in the recreation center gym, according to Hal Simmons, shelter manager for the American Red Cross, which set up operations there. On Tuesday, 36 people still were registered at the shelter. Simmons said many people left the shelter on Tuesday as they found family and friends with whom they could temporarily hang their hats. Medical personnel are on hand at the shelter for residents with pre-existing health conditions, and evacuees are being given food and water. Simmons said there are no plans to close the shelter anytime soon. However, he said the Red Cross will begin re-evaluating the shelter's existence if the need continues to decline. "We'll stay open as long as we need to," he said. While the Red Cross isn't accepting direct donations, Simmons urged those who want to help to give to local churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses that specialize in cleanup from disasters said they've been bombarded with calls since Monday regarding water damage to homes. Benny Carter, who's in charge of business development for Southeast Restoration Group in Holly Springs, said his office received more than 80 calls on Monday asking for help with water damage. Carter said the majority of the calls are from people who have flooding in their homes and basements. The damage being reported is extensive, he said, ranging from minor flooding in the basement to as much as four feet of water in homes. "This is the most severe we've seen in several years," Carter said of the flooding. Carter, who said he's finding out many homeowners do not have flood insurance, said it will take days for people to discover the damage. The company also will have to wait until the water recedes to begin its work. "It's been a difficult time for everyone," he said. Katharine Miller, office and marketing manager with Remco Solutions in Holly Springs, said she easily had more than 100 calls since Monday reporting water damage related to the flooding. Many of the homeowners, she said, have had foundation leaks, ceiling and wall leaks. They live in areas where creeks and rivers crested and spilled into their homes. "This is historic," Ms. Miller said of the flooding, adding the damage reported ranges from a few inches to a few feet. She said one home, located near a lake, had its basement flooded with water - and fish - from the body of water. Like Carter, Ms. Miller said many homeowners don't have flood insurance and probably won't receive reimbursement for the damage unless it's from a leak. "A lot of people will lose a lot," she said. The time needed to clean up the damage will vary, she said, depending on how extensive the damage is and how deep the water is. One Woodstock resident was able to see how fast the waters rose on Highway 92 near Parkway 575. As Victorine Donahue was volunteering at the Revive Consignment Store, she witnessed the shopping center's parking lot become flooded by waters from Noonday Creek. She said she watched as a small black car was engulfed by the rising water. "You could barely see the roof of the car," she said. At the shelter, Ms. Sorg said she's anxiously waiting to hear if she will be able to go back to her Waldan Chase apartment anytime soon. Worst-case scenario, she said she will have to call friends to find a place where she, her fiance, Chris Botts, and her daughter can stay. The situation isn't so bright for Alma Campos and her family. Mrs. Campos, who also had an apartment on the first floor at Waldan Chase, said she doesn't have any other family to stay with until she figures out a more permanent solution. The family moved to Woodstock from California 11 months ago. Her 15-year-old daughter, Alicia Zetin, was at home when the flooding occurred. Alicia said she only was able to grab clothes for her younger brother and sister before being evacuated from the apartment. "It was a really scary experience," she said. Mrs. Campos said she never expected anything like this to happen in Woodstock. She also said she was unaware of Waldan Chase's history of flooding. "They could have warned me," she said. Now, Mrs. Campos said she and her family will remain at the shelter until they figure out something. Moving back to California, she said, isn't a reasonable option. "I don't have enough resources to go back," she said.