Hurricane Zeta Update – Community Resources Available
Thousands of families throughout Choctaw, Clarke, Mobile, and Washington Counties were severely affected by Hurricane Zeta. For many, the effects of Zeta have compounded the issues they already faced from Hurricane Sally and Covid-19. For others, this is the first time they need help. As part of the Hurricane Zeta Relief and Recovery, United Way of Southwest Alabama is working with the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (EMA), Local Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), faith based organizations, and others to collect data about available resources in Choctaw, Clarke, Mobile, and Washington Counties.
A warming station will be available tonight at Grove Hill Baptist Church.
- No meals will be served, no cots are available, but anyone who has significant damage to their home is welcome and encouraged to get out of the cold tonight. Feel free to bring pillows, blankets, etc. This resource is supposed to be available all night long.
Water and tarps available today at the following locations and times
- Clarke County Courthouse – Water and Tarps available on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last, behind the courthouse near Hippy. (Still plenty of water, tarps have run out.)
- City of Jackson – Water will be available at the Jackson Police Department beginning at 8 am.
- City of Thomasville – Water will be available at the golf course beginning at 9 am while supplies last.
For damage and debris on private property
- Southern Baptist Disaster Relief – call the command center at 251-275-5257 or 334-462-2075. (Rental properties are excluded, unless approved by assessors)
- Crisis Clean Up – call 251-239-5775 through November 13. (Crisis Cleanup CANNOT assist with social services such as food, clothing, shelter, insurance, or questions about FEMA registration. Volunteers work free of charge and provide the tools and equipment necessary to complete the work).
Food Distributions
- The Salvation Army in Jackson and in Thomasville will be holding a food pantry tomorrow November 3, time TBA.
- Rotary Club from Point Clear is serving lunch at the Clarke County Courthouse on November 3 beginning at 12PM – drive thru only.
Showers/laundry available in Washington County:
- Reynolds Church, on Hwy 17, has showers available from 2:00pm today. Anyone is welcome! Please call ahead to let them know you are coming. Call 251.847.2464
- Chatom Motel is offering a hot shower in the large bunkhouse. Go to the motel office and see Miss Frankie. You will need to bring your own towels and toiletries.
- Chatom Laundromat and Millry Laundromat both have power.
- Howardtown Baptist Church in Tibbie has hot showers, washer/dryer, etc. They are also serving lunch and dinner daily.
School Closings
- Clarke County Public Schools are closed until Monday, November 9.
- Clarke Prep will be closed tomorrow and Wednesday, will be reevaluated EOD Wednesday.
- Jackson Academy is open for the remainder of the week.
- All Washington County schools remain closed, but will assess the situation daily. Keep an eye on school Facebook pages for more updates.
Please remind those in need to call or text the 2-1-1 Health and Human Services Referral Hotline at 888-421-1266. When you dial or text, you will be connected with a 2-1-1 operator. Tell the operator about your situation, give them your address/zip code, and they will give you some names/phone numbers for you to follow up with. It is not instantaneous, and call volume is higher than usual, so please remind people to be patient.
NOTE: This is not a direct-service number like Southern Baptist or Crisis Clean Up, this is a referral system to help people find resources: