Alamo Going Forward with Hurricane Helene Recovery Projects

After hearing from a representative of ER Assist Disaster Funding Solutions, a consulting firm that has been tasked with facilitating local post-Helene recovery projects, the Alamo City Council voted during its April 21 session to proceed with pursuing two grants.

Laurel Matula with ER Assist apprised the Council of grant opportunities available through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation program. “The State of Georgia has close to $400 million in generator/hazard mitigation grants. In addition to generators, there are other things we can apply for, but we have a very short window in which to apply.” She noted that the City is not beholden to the grant until they sign a contract 18 months from now.

“One of the things I would like you to think about is a community tornado shelter,” Matula said. She described the potential structure as a thick and stable building of about 8,200 square feet or less. FEMA would pay for the construction of the structure, restrooms, and a generator. Furnishings, like cots, kitchen equipment, etc. would be provided by the City or through other grants.

“Funding will be based on a formula — the city population and how many people can reach the shelter in a few minutes,” she explained. She recommended the City go ahead and apply for the grant and tackle refinements of the project after the grant is approved.

“The building could be used for other community purposes, except storage,” she said, noting that the building needs to be relatively clear to accommodate citizens in times of crisis. The building might have a dual purpose as an event center, for instance, she suggested, adding, the City might want to consider including a weather monitoring station, television, and recreational space.

The structure would be situated in a strategic location on City-owned property. One of the sites mentioned was Eastside Park adjacent to the Wheeler County School. The Cityowned site is large enough to accommodate a structure of this size and already has other facilities on site.

Matula also discussed FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, through which FEMA repairs or replaces structures damaged in the hurricane. During Helene, the City of Alamo lost structures fronting Railroad Avenue, including an event center.

“The purpose of this grant is for FEMA to pay to put back what was there before, square footage and function wise,” she said, elaborating, “You do not have to put back exactly what was there, but the funding will be for the value of what was there.” She said the grant proposal calls for getting a cost estimate for replacing the structure that was damaged or destroyed in the storm, but the City can submit an alternate proposal for a more practical future use.

City Manager Jeff Floyd said the City has already acquired preliminary quotes for the replacement of buildings damaged in the hurricane, including $1.1 million for the structures on Railroad Street and $89,250 for a building housing a fire truck on Commerce Avenue. Formal bids for these projects will be sought as part of the grant application.

Floyd said the City is still waiting on reimbursements for work accomplished in the immediate response to the hurricane, such as repairing damaged water meters, picking up debris, fuel for generators, replacing signage, and more.

Matula commented, “FEMA/GEMA assistance is slow because of the DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) review on all grants. Nothing is happening very quickly right now.”

In other business, the City Council approved hiring local attorney Perry Avery to represent the City. Avery is also attorney for Wheeler County. He replaces Russell Clark, who is retiring.

Floyd announced that bids will be opened on May 8 for projects at Eastside Park, including the construction of an amphitheater. He also said that plans call for activating the park’s splash pad this summer.

GRANTS AVAILABLE — Laurel Matula with ER Assist Disaster Funding Solutions discusses FEMA grants available to the City of Alamo to help with recovery from Hurricane Helene. The Council voted to apply for a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program grant and a second grant offered through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program.Photo by Deborah Clark

HONORING THE MEMORY OF A LION – This year, the Onion Shed at the Vidalia Onion Festival Arts & Crafts Festival had a new look, as the Vidalia Lions Club honored Lion Charles Page, who passed away last fall. The Club named Charles Page’s Onion Shed after Page, as he always enjoyed selling onions under the structure during the festival. L to R: Vidalia Lions Club Members Tracy Clark, Lance Helms, Linda Page, Jeff Raiford, Garrett Wilcox, Fred Godbee, Mackey Bryant, Josh Beck, Chris Carroll.Photo by Makaylee Randolph