It could be weeks before the number of Paulding homes and businesses affected by 2009 flooding is known, but local, state and federal emergency management agencies are already in place, and the Red Cross and other organizations are on the less-wet ground to offer help.

“Everybody who has had damage is a victim of the flood,” said Michael Earwood, Paulding County’s fire chief and emergency management agency director. “So far, 500 people have registered with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) by phone, and that number could go up.”

Earwood praised the quick response of FEMA, which had opened a disaster recovery center at Paulding Senior/Community Center at 54 Industrial Way Monday.

“Citizens have been getting what they need,” he said. “People have been in the affected areas all week trying to help. They’ve been getting the basics.

“It could be two to four weeks before we have actual numbers” of structures damaged,” Earwood said.

State and federal assistance to individuals is now available in 17 Georgia counties: Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattaooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker, and 7,851 households had applied for assistance. Paulding is one of nine counties eligible for federal assistance to local governments and nonprofit organizations.

FEMA

FEMA urges people with damages to first contact their insurance companies to determine unmet and underinsured needs. Next they should register with FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 or www.disasterassistance.gov. Registration usually takes less than 30 minutes.

“People can’t get FEMA or SBA assistance unless they’re registered,” says FEMA Public Information Officer Tim Tyson. “Then they need to follow through with the application process. If they’re refused by the Small Business Administration, they can come back to FEMA for additional grants.”

After registering, a visit to the disaster recovery center will provide direct contact with representatives of about 10 agencies, including FEMA, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Paulding EMA, the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Family & Children Services, Red Cross, Helping Hands and the Small Business Administration, which can provide loans to homeowners, small-business owners and non-profits.

The disaster recovery center for now will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days weekly.

Not everyone needs to visit the disaster recovery center, said Tyson, “but it’s often a good idea,” especially if SBA assistance is needed. But of almost 8,000 in the 17 counties who have registered, only about one-fourth have visited a disaster recovery center, he said, which is probably too few.

FEMA’s disaster assistance won’t restore structures to pre-flood conditions but can provide safe and sanitary housing and meet other critical needs. Assistance includes rental assistance for two months where homes are unlivable, grants for minimal home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance, low-interest SBA loans, disaster unemployment insurance and legal services, crisis counseling and grants for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster such as medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage and other FEMA-approved expenses.

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid.

People applying for disaster assistance should have the following information: current phone number and address, Social Security number if available, a general list of damages and losses, insurance policy number or agent and company names, general financial information and a bank account code for direct deposit.

Inspectors, who are private contractors with official FEMA identification, will call to set up appointments, usually within 7-10 days. Inspectors will confirm registration details by phone but will not ask for personal information at the time of inspection.

Tyson says disaster victims can tire easily but must follow through with necessary paperwork.

“It’s a tiring, unnerving process that requires patience,” he said, “but if they qualify they can get assistance quickly.”

IRS

Flood victims in counties eligible for individual assistance can also qualify for IRS postponements of time to file returns, pay taxes and perform other time-sensitive activities. Details are available from Publication 2194-B - IRS- Disaster Losses Kit for Businesses - http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p2194b.pdf and Publication 2194 - IRS- Disaster Losses Kit for Individuals - http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p2194.pdf.

Other information is at the IRS Web page dedicated to disaster information at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=156138,00.html.

Other organizations

RBC Bank is hosting food and clothing drives to collect all sizes of clothing, non-perishable food, water and sanitary items including toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, toilet paper, razors, soap, shampoo, etc. The drive continues from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Oct. 23 at RBC’s Hiram Banking Center, 1430 Pace Road in Hiram.

Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief Team is bringing five trailers stocked with tools and gear for flood cleanup, as well as 30-40 volunteers from outside the community to join local volunteeers organized through West Ridge Church. Paul Richardson of West Ridge Church said Cleaning for the World is also sending 3,500 blankets, 300 pairs of shoes and four pallets of water.

People wanting to volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse, which was founded by Billy Graham and son Franklin, can call 678-202-5974 or at disasterrelief3@samaritan.org. Richardson said West Ridge is now referring people to Warehouse of Hope at 770-489-0509 (www.warehouseofhope.org).

Contractors

The Georgia Secretary of State’s Office advises property owners that state-issued licenses are required for major structural repair that includes electrical, plumbing and HVAC. Licensed contractors are listed at http://sos.georgia.gov/plb.

Exempted from licensure are roofing, painting, sheetrock, siding, mold remediation, flooring, foundation waterproofing and septic tank repair, although septic tank repair requires Georgia Department of Community Health certification.

Red flags that could suggest dishonest individuals include:

• a person going door-to-door selling their services.

• a person who offers services for a short time only, which makes consumers feel rushed and unable to research the contractor.

• pressure to pay for more than half of the cost up front.

• refusal or reluctance to set out complete and specific contract terms in writing.

• lack of permanent and verifiable name, address and phone number of the business.