The tornadoes from two weeks ago are gone, but the damage remains. Schools, homes, and businesses sustained major damage. Some metro Atlanta areas are being allowed to apply for disaster assistance.
Griffin-Spalding County School Board Chairman R. Syntel Brown says of the 9500 students in the district, 30% were displaced from their homes either temporarily or permanently due to the natural disaster.
"We have plenty of work to do" says Brown. "Our scholars have been through a lot, COVID and now tornadoes. We want to make sure that we're able to address their social and emotional needs before we get into the academics."
According to Brown their Student Support Services department has developed lessons to help students and parents to be able to express their thoughts. "It lets them know that it's okay to talk about the experiences."
Five tornadoes touched down in the area on January 12th according to the National Weather Service.
A recovery center is opening this week in the Henry County town of Locust Grove. In Spalding County, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has opened an office that's open 7 days a week. Those wanting more information about assistance online can go to Disaster-Assistance-Dot-Gov.
The phone number for those in need, or looking to help others, is 678-453-4508.