Home Blog Page 90

President Approves Federal Flood Disaster Aid for Marietta

Gov. Sonny Perdue announced Thursday that President Barack Obama has issued a federal disaster declaration to provide aid to residents of four Georgia counties in the wake of destructive flooding. Individual assistance for recovery efforts will be given to residents of Cobb, Paulding, Douglas and Cherokee counties.

Perdue declared a state of emergency in 17 counties Monday. The part of his request covering other counties and for government buildings and public costs from the storm is still pending. Aid from the declaration may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses.

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s major disaster declaration issued for Georgia.

Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:

  • Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
  • Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
  • Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs. (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)
  • Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.)
  • Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. Loans available up to $2 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
  • Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster’s adverse economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
  • Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence. (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)
  • Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans benefits and social security matters.
  • Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:
  • Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

  • Those in the counties designated for assistance to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday until further notice. Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.
  • Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

East Cobb Park Devastated by Flood

East Cobb Park Flood

Sep 23, 2009: East Cobb Park was heavily damaged as a result of the 2009 flooding in Cobb County. Sope Creek, which runs alongside East Cobb Park, flooded the main playground and the grass fields. The rapidly moving waters washed away all of the playground mulch, washed away benches, dug trenches and uprooted and washed away plants and shrubbery. At the highest point, water was 4 feet above the park’s bridge connecting to Fuller’s Park. Trees have fallen on the bridge and knocked out part of a fence surrounding the playground.

East Cobb Park Flood

The park was closed for a period of time and all activities including Ultimate Playdates and Movie Nights were suspended. Damage was estimated at about $150,000 and Friends for the East Cobb Park, with the help of donors, worked to restore the park to its previous state.

Friends for the East Cobb Park
1200 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 250
Marietta GA 30068

Marietta & Cobb County Schools Open Thurs, Sept. 24

All Cobb County School District and Marietta City School District schools will be open on Thursday, Sept. 24 2009.

For students in the Cobb County School System who cannot access your usual bus stop, please call Transportation’s dispatch office at 770-429-5880, 770-429-5881 or 770-429-5882.

Many roads in Cobb County remain inaccessible due to damage from flooding.

Clarkdale Elementary

Clarkdale Elementary School Info and Updates
Clarkdale Elementary School was inundated with floodwaters Monday afternoon after students were safely evacuated. On Tuesday afternoon, the main school building remained substantially under water. The contingency plan for Clarkdale involves creating space at nearby Austell Intermediate and Compton Elementary schools. Austell Intermediate School will host 225 students in grades 3-5, while Compton Elementary School will host 217 students in grades K-2. Furniture and materials from the district’s warehouse will be installed in available classrooms on Wednesday. Some Clarkdale classes will be combined in order to maximize available space. Above is a photo of Clarkdale Elementary taken Tuesday afternoon.

For the latest news, please visit the school systems website:

Marietta City Schools:
http://www.marietta-city.org/

Cobb County Schools:
http://www.cobbk12.org/

Marietta Emergency Flood Shelter

The Red Cross has opened a shelter in Marietta for those displaced by flooding. Red Cross is providing a safe place to stay, food to eat, and a shoulder to lean on for those affected by the flooding which has prompted evacuations, washed out bridges, caused landslides, and closed highways across the area.

“These flood waters can come up very rapidly. People should be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice,” said Joe Becker, Senior Vice President Red Cross Disaster Services, “We have shelters open which offer a safe haven for those who have been forced out of their homes.”

As of 6pm on Today, the Red Cross reported that 348 people registered at shelters in Metro Atlanta, and 291 of those were at the Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta.

The shelter is located at the Cobb County Civic Center at 548 S. Marietta Pkwy SE, Marietta, GA. For more information on the shelter, please contact the Red Cross at 404-876-3302.

To donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or mail your donation to the American Red Cross at P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Blue Ribbon Classic Car Show at the North Georgia State Fair

The Blue Ribbon Classic Car Show at the North Georgia State Fair takes place at Jim Miller Park from 10am to 3:30pm on Saturday, September 13, 2014.  The event showcases cars displayed in their individual time period categories, such as the 1940s, ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s.   At 3:30pm, prizes, blue ribbons, and trophies will be awarded to the top 25 cars, top 5 trucks, and the top 3 motorcycles in categories that include Best of Show, Best Interior, Best Engine, and more. There is a $20 fee to enter a car in the show if paid in advance and $25 the day of the show.

Blue Ribbon Affair Crafts

Car Show Awards:
Each vehicle registered will receive a show t-shirt
Each car entered will receive one raffle ticket and one winner will receive a new set of tires from Marietta Tire and Service

Location:
Jim Miller Park
2245 Callaway RD SW
Marietta GA 30008-4440

For more information, please call (404) 569-4348.

See You in September Community Festival

“See You in September Community Festival” takes palce from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, Sept. 19. The event will be held rain or shine at Chestnut Ridge Christian Church in Marietta. The day will include a huge community garage sale, an arts show featuring the Cherokee Heights Artists Association and other local artists, and tours of the adjacent Jean and Elwood Wright Environmental Center. In addition, Cobb County Police and Fire Departments will provide community safety education at the event. Admission is free and there will be food, information about community activities, a moon walk and fun for the whole family.

Address:
Chestnut Ridge Christian Church
2663 Johnson Ferry Road
Marietta, GA 30062

Admission:
Free

For more information, contact Debbie Abernathy at 770-843-6100.

New special needs playground in Marietta

Friends for the East Cobb Park and local officials cut the ribbon for East Cobb’s first “all-access” playground on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009. The playground is specially-made for children with disabilities, although children of all abilities are welcome to enjoy the new playground.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Plan Meeting

Cobb Department of Transportation will host a public open house meeting Sept. 17 concerning the Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Plan. The plan will identify where Cobb can improve conditions for bicycling and walking and identify a strategy for investing in those improvements over time. Bicycle and pedestrian facilities include sidewalks, streets, bike lanes, shoulders and shared use pathways like the Silver Comet Trail. At the meetings, DOT will display project findings and recommendations fur public review and comment. Join DOT on Thursday, Sept. 17, 4-7 p.m. at the East Cobb Government Service Center, 4400 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA.

For more information, call 770-528-1679

Pullman Rail Car in Marietta Square Destroyed

The historic 1917 Pullman rail car that has been a part of the Marietta Square for almost 40 years is now being dismantled. The railcar sat adjacent to the Marietta Welcome Center and, according to the City of Marietta, became “both a safety hazard and an eye sore.”

The rail car’s current owner, Michael Thomas, purchased the car last year and had plans to move it to New York. Those plans changed after his mechanic looked at the nearly century old railcar. “Based on his report, the car superstructure is rusted and while it was perfectly OK for a static display the cost to get the car to operational condition would have been prohibitive,” Thomas wrote. He then offered the car to the city, asking “Would the city of Marietta be willing to take the car? Do you want it? I would consider donating it with say $2,500 to spruce it up. If not the car will have to be scrapped.”

Marietta Railcar Demolition

Marietta Square Railroad Car at the Welcome Center

Marietta Square Welcome Center Railroad Car

Marietta Movie Night @ Laurel Park

Marietta Movie Night

Marietta Movie Night takes place on Friday, September 11, 2009 at Laurel Park. The event is part of “A September to Remember” in association with Marietta’s 175th Anniversary. The featured movie is Night at the Museum 2 starring Ben Stiller. The outdoor movie starts at dark, but be sure to get there early to enjoy a picnic or a visit to the duck pond.

Before the movie, there will be plenty of kids’ activities provided by Miss LaLa’s Treehouse, including face painting, spin art, a bouncy castle, and more. Food vendors including Rita’s Ice Custard Happiness, Chick-Fil-A, and Mellow Mushroom will be open throughout the event.

Just before movie time, join Marietta Police Chief Dan Flynn and Fire Chief Jackie Gibbs for a balloon release and tribute honoring the victims and heroes of 9/11.

Hours
6pm to 10pm
The movie starts at dark (sunset is at 7:50pm according to the Weather Channel)

Laurel Park
151 Manning Road
Marietta, GA 30060

Directions
From I-75 take exit 265 (North Marietta Parkway). Go West for 2.3 miles until you reach Whitlock Avenue. Turn right on Whitlock and go 1.3 miles until you reach Manning Road. Turn left on Manning for a couple hundred yards and you will find the entrance to the park on your left. Continue to the parking lot and then look for the large inflatable movie screen and the Marietta.com banner.

For more information, call Rob DeSoto at (770) 861-4595.