Hurricane Resources​

Below are resources to assist Georgia hotels as well as travelers seeking refuge during severe weather events.

Traffic Information 
Evacuee Resources 
  • FEMA
  • Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency
  • NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center​
  • 1-800-VISIT-GA (847-4842) - Staff at Georgia's Visitor Information Centers provide accommodations and travel information by phone from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days per week.
  • ExploreGeorgia.org
    A storm web page with information regarding hurricanes is now available. 
    This web page will be the primary resource for storm information and updates from the Georgia Tourism Department. This page includes hotel/lodging information, VIC contact information/hours, and links to emergency resources. The Georgia Tourism team will be using this page as their primary external communications resource. ​
Information for Hotel Guests
  • Obtaining financial assistance for lodging: Are you an evacuee in need of financial assistance for lodging? We suggest contacting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA ) online or by phone at 800-621-3362. (NOTE: This FEMA phone number is only for use by individuals affected by the disaster. 
  •  Finding a hotel that accepts FEMA assistance: If you already have FEMA lodging assistance and are looking for available lodging under FEMA's Transitional Shelter Assistance Program, a list of participating hotels is available on the femaevachotels.com website. Call the hotel directly to determine current availability, and be sure to inform the hotel when you call that you are participating in FEMA's emergency lodging program.
  • Finding a hotel generally: If you are looking for lodging in general, consider using our hotel brand reservation contact list to find statewide availability.
  • If lodging accommodations are simply not an available option for you, the Office of the Governor for your state will have information on the current status of emergency shelters. Additionally, consider working with a non-governmental organization such as the American Red Cross. Georgia hotels have donated hundreds of hotel room-nights to charitable groups, and these groups may be able to assist you.​

Information for Hotel Employees, Managers, and Owners
  • Emergency lodging assistance: The "Emergency Lodging Assistance (ELA) Program" provides temporary lodging assistance to disaster evacuees, hotels are encouraged to participate in the emergency lodging assistance program . FEMA also refers to this program as the "Transitional Shelter Assistance (TSA)" program when communicating with evacuees seeking aid. Should this program be activated, hoteliers are encouraged to participate. Hoteliers can begin this process now by setting up an account for the hotel property via Corporate Lodging Consultants (CLC), FEMA's pay agent.
    •  Click here for a list of the current participating hotels.
    • If a hotel has not registered yet for this emergency lodging assistance program, the hotel should follow the below steps or view CLC's online guide here. 
  • Lodging rates for the ELA program are established and governed by FEMA and in most cases are based on the federal per diem rate, plus applicable hotel occupancy taxes. FEMA indicated it will pay hotel occupancy taxes for guests participating in the emergency lodging assistance program; state and local taxes are still applicable according to Georgia law.
  • Hotel taxes: While Georgia code does not exempt evacuees from the Local Hotel/Motel Excise Tax ahead of the storm's arrival, the state does provide an exemption for evacuees "who certify that they are staying as a result of the destruction of their home or residence" in a natural disaster.
  • Room pricing: Information on hotel room pricing during disasters is available here.
  • Pet Charges: visit this GHLA webpage regarding pet charges during a disaster.

The GHLA team is ready to respond to any issues that arise during this time of emergency. Please contact us for any questions, issues, and know that we are here for you.