As cleanup from tornadoes continues in Walker County, additional public information continues to be updated.

“We continue moving on with cleanup efforts,” Walker County commissioner Bebe Heiskell said. “If anyone needs immediate assistance they should call 706-375-7810 and talk with the disaster relief team who will come out to them and lend a hand where possible.”

Heiskell, along with state Rep. Jay Neal of LaFayette, continue to work on seeing the burn ban that went into effect on Monday all across Georgia lifted for Walker, Catoosa and Dade counties.

The ban is enforced to help keep wildfires suppressed during the hottest and driest months in Georgia.

“This only makes sense,” said Heiskell. “We need this lifted as people continue to clean up the debris left by Wednesday’s storm.”

Rep. Neal said, “Hopefully we will have definite word from the state on Monday or Tuesday.”

Late Friday, President Barack Obama signed a declaration for Walker County along with 15 other Georgia counties to receive individual federal assistance for storm damage that occurred last Wednesday. Because of the declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is gearing up to begin processing claims.

Persons with storm damage can begin the process of filing for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by visiting their website at fema.gov. There is also a line for those to call who are hearing impaired, that number is 1-880-464-7585. A local office will be opened early next week for personal assistance at the Walker County Agricultural Center in Rock Spring.

Walker County coordinator David Ashburn said, “The crisis center has not yet been set up by FEMA in Walker County yet. We are waiting on them. But people can go ahead and start calling to begin the process.”