United Way of the Coastal Empire has expanded the Rapid Response Disaster Fund across all four counties, to include Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty counties. These funds will provide critical response and recovery support to impacted residents across the region.
In the wake of Tropical Storm Debby, residents across Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties are facing severe challenges due to widespread flooding and storm damage. Homes have been damaged and many families displaced. The storm's impact has left communities in urgent need of support as they begin the recovery process. In response to this crisis, the United Way of the Coastal Empire has activated its Rapid Response Disaster Fund to provide immediate relief to those affected, ensuring that vital resources and assistance reach the most vulnerable populations during this critical time.
In 2023, United Way of the Coastal Empire launched a formal partnership with the Emergency Management Agencies in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty counties to support disaster recovery in an emergency. Each County Emergency Management Agency determines when the Rapid Response Disaster Fund is necessary and should be activated. United Way’s role in this partnership is to spearhead fundraising efforts for disaster response and recovery.
On Thursday, August 8th, the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency activated the Rapid Response Disaster Fund for Chatham County. Following damage assessments in Bryan, Effingham, and Liberty Counties, the respective County Emergency Management Agencies also activated the Rapid Response Disaster Fund. United Way will remain in close contact with all our county partners to ensure coordinated efforts. Funds will be allocated across the community for short-term relief and long-term recovery efforts as determined necessary by the County Emergency Management Agencies, based on damage and needs assessments.
Donations to the Rapid Response Disaster Fund can be made by visiting the United Way of the Coastal Empire website at uwce.org.
United Way, CEMA, Bryan Emergency Management Agency (BEMA) and the Coastal Empire Disaster Recovery Committee (CEDRC) are using Crisis Cleanup to collect information from residents who have physical damage to their homes following Tropical Storm Debby and the related flooding event. If a homeowner has damage to their home or property, they can call 1-844-965-1386 to register for voluntary agency assistance. Registering with Crisis Cleanup does not guarantee assistance but does allow for organizations within the area to receive notification of the needs within the community.