On July 13, 2005, Gary Rice,GEMA Area 2 Field Coordinator,called to ask that I help form a lond term recovery in Sylvester, GA Worth County. A meeting was called for 1 PM on Friday, July 15, 2005 in Sylvester. Worth Co had received 10 inches of rain in 45 minutes causing extensive flooding. Over 100 homes were flooded, with most families loosing everything. Colquit Co just south of Worth Co has 80 homes flooded
Friday,July 15, 2005, I conducted a meeting of Community and Church leaders at Sylvester's City hall, explaining what a LTRC was and how to start one. There was a second meeting called and Dr. Thomas Latimer was elected Chair. Professor Latimer's contact information is 1-229-776-5783. I advised the new Interfaith LTRC that Church World Service DRRL Lesli Remaly was available to come to Sylvester, GA and teach them how to Manage the ILTRC. Thursday, July 21,2005 CWS DRRL Lesli Remaly began training the ILTRC. CWS DRRL Remaly advised me today, that the new Interfaith LTRC organized in Worth Co will be responding to the victims in Colquit Co as well.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005 I met with Cobb EMA Director Lanita Lloyd( whom I have worked with in Preparedness) at the EOC and toured the flooded areas of Cobb Co. During that tour, I found that over 400 homes were damaged by Hurricane Dennis's flooding. I advised Cobb EMA that I could felicitate the introduction of how to develop an interfaith long term recovery committee which would be able to address the long term needs of the victims.
Friday, July 22,2005 at 10 AM, a meeting was held with Community and Church leaders of Cobb County. I narrated the meeting first explaining the LTRC, then answering questions. All present agreed with the forming of the Interfaith LTRC, and Donna Golf, Minister of Youth and Family, was named contact person for the steering committee, who called for a second meeting Tuesday, Aug 02,2005 at McEachern United Methodist church. The church is located at: 4075 Macland Road Powder Springs, GA 30127. Minister Goff's Cell phone is: 678-492-3422.
The Steering committee, upon being advised of Church World Service's offer to train the Executive board members to manage the ILTRC, all asked that DRRL Lesli Remaly of CWS be given Minister Goff's contact information.
I want to note that Rev. Dr. Rick Carlton of Living Hope Lutheran Church (LCMS) and Rev. Fred Krautwurst of Nativity Lutheran (ELCA) were present at the July 22, 2005 meeting.

The break down of affected homes( those without flood insurance) in Georgia is as follows;

Cherokee Co: 76
Cobb Co: 400
ColquitCo: 58
Douglas Co: 108
Worth Co: 106
Total: 748 (subject to change)

There is no Federal declaration in Georgia and the VOAD organizations are stepping forward to help the victims of Hurricane Dennis. Mamy families have lost everything and VOAD led LTRCs are their hope for recovery.