RINGGOLD, Ga. -- As homeowners hit by this week's tornadoes take stock of what's left and what's lost, they are looking to the state and federal government for help getting their lives back together.

RELATED: 11Alive to host tornado relief special Friday

"We need some federal money to help with the front-end cost and for the long term for individuals," Gov. Nathan Deal told 11Alive News.

He spoke to the president by phone and sent him a letter requesting federal assistance. "He obviously expressed sympathy to the families that had lost individuals, but also promised that he would have the federal agencies to continue to work with our state agencies."

Atlanta, GA --  On April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and numerous state and local law enforcement agencies will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  You can bring your medications for disposal to numerous sites across the state and the metro Atlanta area.

ATLANTA -- Your cat, dog, maybe even your bird is going nuts! You don't know what is going wrong until suddenly you notice the blue sky has suddenly grown dark.  A storm is coming from nowhere.  Somehow your pet had a clue before you did.

Many pet owners will tell you, their dogs and cats can do some pretty strange things when they're stressed by severe weather.  "A lot of them can hurt themselves," Dr. Shannon South, a veterinarian at the Briarcliff Animal Clinic said Monday. "I've seen dogs jump through windows.  I've seen them going missing for a couple of weeks at a time."

Dr. South said dog's habits can be changed, if they're young.  "Try to redirect their activity.  Get them to play. Make the storm a good experience," she advised pet owners.