An Unbreakable State: Florida Residents come Together to Assist their Neighbors in the Panhandle

From Orange County Commissioner Rod Love

Just last week, Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle as a Category 4 hurricane. Having carried 155 MPH winds in destroying almost everything in its path, CNN deemed Hurricane Michael as “…the strongest storm to hit the continental US since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.” While Hurricane Michael destroyed many homes and buildings, it did NOT, however, destroy the hope and will of Florida residents from neighboring counties to help their neighbors in the aftermath of this disaster.

Not long after Hurricane Michael made its departure from Florida, a local search and rescue team from Central Florida prepared to deploy to offer assistance to search and rescue teams in the Panhandle. This rescue team, called the Central Florida Urban Search and Rescue Team Task Force 4, consisted of 3 Engine Strike Teams, 2 Ambulance Strike Teams, and a Tender Strike Team. In total, more than 140 (including dogs) search and rescue team members, representing 25 departments, were deployed. According to The Apopka Voice earlier this week, Apopka Firefighters Jason Watson and Matt Roney and an Apopka ambulance are part of Ambulance Strike Team 501.

Orange County Commissioner Rod Love

Members of the community worked (and still are working) together to gather supplies and essentials for our neighbors in Northwest Florida. Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce Partners Gray Robinson, P.A. and the University of Central Florida coordinated Hurricane Michael Relief Drop-Off Location from Sunday night to Monday morning. The Gray Robinson, P.A. Orlando Office mobilized to provide donations to impacted areas in the Panhandle. There were 2 ways in which residents could participate in this efforts: They could purchase and drop-off items at the drop-off location; or purchase and ship items through Amazon (with guaranteed delivery by Sunday night).

The Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) Action Chapter coordinated 2 relief drives for Hurricane Michael. Supplies were collected and delivered to Oglesby in Altha, and supplies were gathered for a relief effort at the FNGLA State Office. Agri-Starts generously offered to serve as a drop-off location for supplies (through Tuesday) as well as to transport supplies. Peninsula Trucking had also volunteered to transport supplies. FNGLA also has disaster information available with links to government assistance programs and information for its members here.

According to the Orlando Economic Partnership, crews from local utility companies are helping to restore power for our neighbors in the Panhandle.

The Florida Association of Counties has a web page dedicated to providing information and updates on Hurricane Michael.

While it seems that time has passed and all bases have been covered, help is still needed and it’s not too late to get involved. If you are interested in finding out how you can help our friends in the Panhandle, please go to the Volunteer Florida website. Among many things, they work in partnership with the Florida Division of Emergency Management as well as partners with many organizations that offer volunteer opportunities.