An outpouring of support continues to come in for Gordon County tornado victims. A tornado tore through dozens of homes in Calhoun in late January. With little help from the federal government, a special organization is stepping up to lend a helping hand.
Disaster relief workers opened a warehouse off of Highway 53 last week where storm victims can get what they need to feed their families. Everything in the warehouse is donated from various churches and charitable organizations. A truck from a church in Tennessee donated more than $120,000 worth of supplies.
"People are in shock when they come in here. I've never been through it, but I guess if I lost my home and everything I owned, I wouldn't be thinking very clearly," said Terry Haight of Adventist Disaster Response.
More than 140 people have visited the warehouse, including Angela Nepolitano.
"You work every day and you finally get everything that you work for and then it's just taken all away. You don't really want to be here doing this, but it definitely helps," Nepolitano said.
Since storm victims did not receive federal assistance, workers say every bit helps.
"So many of these people no longer have homes or their homes are about to be condemned," Haight said.
Relief workers expect to be in town for another six weeks.
"We try to hold it to about a four-day supply. They can come back every four days. Part of reason of that is we don't want to start interfering with the local economy," Haight said.
Relief workers say they are going to try and help homeowners with the next phase of recovery. That includes moving into temporary homes and supplying those homes with everything they need.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:31 AM EDT2013-05-23 12:31:23 GMT
Later today, Georgia State Rep. Tyrone Brooks is expected to speak publicly about his recent arrest on fraud and tax charges. Brooks was arraigned in federal court on Wednesday.
Later today, Georgia State Rep. Tyrone Brooks is expected to speak publicly about his recent arrest on fraud and tax charges. Brooks was arraigned in federal court on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:32:32 GMT
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It's also a great time to thank veterans for their service to our country—veterans just like World War II American hero Lew Fern.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:56 AM EDT2013-05-23 04:56:30 GMT
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:55:59 GMT
A local woman says she's trying to rebuild her life after storms hit this past weekend and destroyed her home.
A local woman says she's trying to rebuild her life after storms hit this past weekend and destroyed her home. Just one day later, some of her family members were in Oklahoma near where the tornado hit.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:50 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:50:14 GMT
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground.
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground. Both victims are 6-year-old boys who are in kindergarten at Rocky Plains Elementary School, where the attack happened.
A tornado damaged numerous homes in Calhoun in late-January. (Photo by Julia Reynolds/MyFoxAtlanta)
