ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — As another season of heavy rain, tropical weather and potential hurricanes approaches, many South Georgia residents are asking themselves one question: Are we really prepared?

For some families, preparation isn’t just about stocking up on bottled water or checking generators. They’re still trying to recover from the last storm.

Across South Georgia, homeowners continue dealing with repairs, rebuilding projects, and ongoing insurance disputes months and in some cases years after severe weather damaged their homes.

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Some residents say they are still waiting on insurance claims to be settled. Others are paying out of pocket to repair roofs, replace damaged property, or finish renovations that began after previous storms.

“It’s one of those things that doesn’t really worry you until it’s you,” said one homeowner still working through storm-related repairs.

Emergency officials urge basic preparedness

Casey Harper with Atkinson County Emergency Management Agency said storms remain unpredictable.

“As we’ve seen with Helene, no storm is the same,” Harper said. “The weather can be unpredictable.” Harper said residents should secure outdoor items that could be blown by the wind and ensure home insurance is up to date.

“Make sure you’ve got that up to date,” Harper said. “If you don’t have any, try to get some.”

Harper said residents should have basic supplies, including flashlights, drinking water, medicine, and extra clothes.

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Insurance struggles persist nearly two years later

Devis Burnham, executive director for Hope for Coffee, the official long-term recovery group of Coffee County, said many residents are still dealing with the effects of Hurricane Helene nearly two years later.

“There are still many that are battling insurance claims, denials, and it’s not just one particular insurance company,” Burnham said. “It’s widespread for sure.”

Burnham said the county’s population of vulnerable residents — including low-income, elderly and single parents — is larger than anticipated.

“There are individuals out there who still are battling with insurance, who still have tarps on their homes, who still every time there’s even a slight sprinkle, they have water coming inside their homes,” Burnham said. Burnham said trees uprooted during Hurricane Helene but did not fall remain a concern.

“Almost two years later, we are still dealing with the after effects of Hurricane Helene,” Burnham said.

Recovery efforts continue

Hope for Coffee received grants through the American Red Cross to help hundreds of individuals and families with roof repair and replacement.

The organization now facilitates an allocation table where cases are presented to partners with funding to help individuals. Most partners have limited windows for spending grant funding. “Time is truly of the essence,” Burnham said.

Burnham said damage to roofs and homes creates lingering effects, including mold and mildew that require interior work.

Emergency notification system available

Harper said Atkinson County has eight fire stations with at least one truck in each station spread throughout the county. Emergency crews try to ensure trucks are fueled and stocked with water before storms. Harper said residents should sign up for Hyperreach, the county’s emergency notification system. The link is available on the Atkinson County EMA/Fire Facebook page.

The system sends phone calls, text messages, and emails for alerts happening in the county.

Harper said residents should have batteries, flashlights, water, and food to last at least a couple of days.

National preparedness remains low

According to a 2025 emergency preparedness study by SafeHome.org, only 5% of U.S. households report having a fully stocked emergency supply kit, while one in five households say they have no emergency supplies at all.

Preparation can include reviewing homeowners and flood insurance coverage, photographing valuable belongings, building an emergency supply kit, identifying evacuation routes, and creating a communication plan for family members.

Burnham said residents should prepare with tarps to limit interior damage in the event of a leak or roof damage.

“Not everybody can afford a generator, obviously, that is definitely a luxury,” Burnham said.

For those still rebuilding, the thought of another season of rain and potential tropical systems brings added anxiety.

According to a 2025 emergency preparedness study by SafeHome.org, only 5% of U.S. households report having a fully stocked emergency supply kit, while one in five households say they have no emergency supplies at all.

That preparation can include:

• Reviewing homeowners and flood insurance coverage
• Photographing valuable belongings
• Building an emergency supply kit
• Identifying evacuation routes
• Creating a communication plan for family members

While South Georgia residents are no strangers to severe weather, recent storms have served as a reminder that recovery can take far longer than the storm itself.

For those still rebuilding, the thought of another season of rain and potential tropical systems brings added anxiety.

Because when the skies are clear, preparedness can feel like someone else’s problem. Until it’s your home. Your family. Your claim. And by then, many say, it’s too late to wish you had prepared sooner.

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