City of Sandy Springs staff updated Mayor Pro Tem Tibby DeJulio and City Council members Dianne Fries, Rusty Paul, Ashley Jenkins and Karen Meinzen McEnerny last week at a special called meeting to discuss disaster recovery work in the wake of last month’s torrential storms.

Major topics included a 30-day grace period to apply for building permits on structures needing immediate repair, information for property owners on how to apply for federal disaster relief, options for replacing damaged bridges across Nancy and Marsh Creeks, and a report on how the new ChattCom 911 center responded to an 80 percent increase in calls for service.

“Alarms were going crazy, as you can imagine. There were four calls every second between 3 and 5 p.m. on Sept. 21,” City Manager John McDonough said about the seventh straight day of rain.

Other jurisdictions pitched in to help, McDonough said.

“The city of Milton large animal rescue unit evacuated 40 horses from Huntcliff Stables,” he said.

Tasks left to be done include 185 requests that came into the public works department related to flooding or stormwater issues.

“That’s what we can fix if it’s on public property,” McDonough said.

The city will fix two damaged bridges.

“The center support is completely gone,” Public Works Director Thomas Black said about Peachtree Dunwoody Road at Nancy Creek. “Riverside Drive in the 7000 block is in total collapse right now.”

However, the manner, timeline and cost of repairs have not yet been established, although Black estimated $5 million for both bridges.

Riverside Drive’s bridge has to be elevated over the flood plain to bring it up to current standards, Black said, while Peachtree Dunwoody, a major thoroughfare for hospital traffic, can be temporarily shored up. Detours are posted on the city Web site at www.sandyspringsga.org.

Glen Errol Road east of Claire Rose Lane also remains closed due to a 40-foot sinkhole that opened up between a residence and the road’s shoulder.

Property owners can apply for federal disaster relief by contacting the Federal Emergency Management Agency by calling (800) 621-3362 or by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov.

Property owners who need to make immediate repairs can get a 30-day grace period on applying for building permits by calling the community development department.

Information: (770) 730-5600.