DOCO Hurricane Michael Recovery Efforts Continue
DOCO Hurricane Michael Recovery Efforts Continue
ALBANY, GA – While Hurricane Michael may have been years ago at this point, Dougherty county’s recovery efforts are continuing to this day.
CBS 44’s Brian Roche tells us how the county is helping out those who are still picking up the pieces to this day.
Nearly five years after the impact of Hurricane Michael, significant progress is being made here in Dougherty county, as the county commission is working on the Homeowner Rehabilitation Program with the State Department of Community Affairs.
Dougherty County Administrator, Michael McCoy, says that the Homeowner Rehabilitation Program is needed as Dougherty county was considered one of the most impacted by Hurricane Michael in the state of Georgia.
“It’s long overdue. But, we’re very excited that we are in the process of receiving applications, and helping those in our community who have waited patiently to receive help. And, help is here,” said Michael McCoy, Dougherty County Administrator.
In fact, the Rehabilitation Program is needed not just for the impact of Hurricane Michael in 2018, but three additional severe weather events that happened in the area in the year prior.
“If you were here and experienced the four Presidentially-Declared Disasters that we had between 2017 and 2018, you knew that the experience of the short time frame of the tornadoes and then the hurricanes,” said McCoy.
The program itself is geared towards those who lost their homes, with a strong focus on those who live in low income areas.
Dougherty County and the State of Georgia will be able to provide assistance in rebuilding at no cost to the homeowners themselves.
And, while it may seem like a big step forward in recovery from Hurricane Michael, McCoy is asking the community to continue to be patient.
“It could take over a decade to recover. And, we’re very excited here in Dougherty county, because we have made tremendous progress in our recovery efforts. However, we still have a ways to go,” said McCoy.
CBS 44 asked for an interview with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, but they have not returned our request at this time.
Brian Roche reporting.
Copyright 2023 CBS 44 South Georgia. All rights reserved.
