Gov. Scott Releases Updates on Hurricane Michael Response in Calhoun County

Governor Rick Scott has been in constant communication with local officials and emergency management in Calhoun County. The following information has been reported to the State Emergency Response Team and includes specific actions the state has taken to aid the residents of Calhoun County impacted by Hurricane Michael.

FEMA Individual Assistance and Public Assistance was approved October 11. Federal re-employment assistance is also now available for individuals in Calhoun County.

FOOD AND WATER

• There are six points of distribution in Calhoun County that are either open or opening.
• 206049 Central Ave. East, Blountstown
• Altha Town Hall at 25586 N. Main St., Altha
• NW Silas Green St., Blountstown
• Senior Dental Care at 16119 SR 71 S, Blountstown
• Blountstown Square Shopping Center at 17932 Main St., Blountstown
• Mossy Pond Library at 22216 NW Lake Mckinzie Blvd., Altha

FUEL

• There is one fueling station set up for first responders and utility crews to rapidly refuel so they can continue working.

COMMUNICATIONS

• Currently, 80.95% percent of cellular service coverage has been restored in Calhoun County. This does not include mobile cellular assets augmenting the network.
• Communications support packages have been dispatched through the Florida National Guard to Holmes, Liberty, Jackson, Gadsden, Calhoun, Gulf, Franklin, and Washington counties.

POWER RESTORATION

• Six push crews are working with utility crews to restore power for utilities that provide service for Calhoun County.
• Current power outage in Calhoun County as of 3 p.m. is 6,930.
• 50 generators have been delivered to Calhoun County.

SHELTERS

• Currently two shelters are open:
  • Blountstown High School: 18597 NE SR 69, Blountstown, FL
  • Mossy Pond Community Center: 22216 NW Lake McKenzie Blvd., Altha, FL

• Visit https://www.floridadisaster.org/shelter-status/ to find information on shelters in your area. This site is being updated as shelters open throughout the day.

MILITARY SUPPORT

• There are currently 113 National Guard troops deployed to Calhoun County. National Guard troops are assisting with conducting reconnaissance, search and rescue, and road clearance missions. This includes 24 Florida National Guard soldiers and airmen staffing Points of Distribution in Calhoun County.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

• Currently, 75 law enforcement officers have been deployed to Calhoun County.
• FWC officers continue performing search and rescue, welfare checks, reconnaissance, public safety missions and debris removal assistance in Calhoun County.
• Mobile 911 Dispatch deployed to Calhoun County, with Pensacola supporting other impacted counties.

TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC WORKS

• All state roads in Calhoun County are open.
• The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has completed all bridge inspections and all state bridges are open.

SAFETY & SECURITY

• 31 urban search and rescue personnel continue to conduct searches in Calhoun County.

PUBLIC HEALTH AND MEDICAL

• The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is in contact with healthcare facilities to ensure they have the resources they need.
• Assisted living facility, Rivertown Senior Care has been completely evacuated and remains closed.
• Facilities report their evacuation status to the Agency through the Emergency Status System. An updated evacuation report can be found on the AHCA twitter page: https://twitter.com/AHCA_FL
• 30 ambulances have deployed to Calhoun County.
• A Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) has been deployed to Calhoun County.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

• An online tool for the public to report the location of storm debris in waterways has been deployed. 411 reports of debris have been received.
• DEP is assisting with three requests for assistance submitted through Florida’s Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (FlaWARN) in Calhoun County.
• Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART) are actively working to assess 12 hazardous waste facilities in Calhoun County.
• An online tool for the public to report the location of storm debris in waterways has been deployed; and 411 reports of debris have been received.
• 235 Disaster Debris Management Sites have been pre-authorized for the counties addressed by the Governor’s Executive Order, with three in Calhoun County.
• DEP staff have met with the Blountstown City Manager and the Altha City Manager today to make sure their needs are met.

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY    

• Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida has been awarded federal National Dislocated Worker Grants to provide temporary employment to Floridians affected by Hurricane Michael. This program is administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and provides disaster relief employment in the form of temporary jobs that support storm response and recovery efforts. See the press release HERE.
  • To look for employment opportunities to help rebuild Florida’s communities after a disaster or to post disaster-related jobs where a labor force is needed, visit Florida’s Disaster Recovery Jobs Portal at https://disasterrecovery.employflorida.com.

• • For information regarding National Dislocated Worker Grants, visit your local career center at http://www.careersourceflorida.com/your-local-team.
• The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has launched the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to provide short-term, interest-free loans to affects businesses at www.floridadisasterloan.org.
• The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is working with CareerSource North Florida and CareerSource Northeast Florida to send mobile units, along with staff and resources, including water, gas, generators, flashlights and satellite phones to allow CareerSource partners in the panhandle to begin assisting jobseekers and businesses as a part of the recovery efforts.
• Disaster cleanup and other related job openings are now available at http://disasterrecovery.employflorida.com for businesses to post job openings and for individuals to find job opportunities.
• DEO has opened the Business Damage Assessment Survey for businesses impacted by Hurricane Michael. Businesses with damage should complete the survey at https://www.floridadisaster.biz/BusinessDamageAssessments.
• Businesses can also visit FloridaDisaster.biz to view tips for assessing storm damage and to register to receive updates on storm recovery.

EDUCATION

• The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) is in contact with school districts, state colleges and universities for updates and to determine their needs and provide assistance.
• Calhoun County schools will be closed until further notice.
• FDOE will be posting up-to-date information regarding closures and meeting cancellations at www.fldoe.org/hurricaneinfo.

VOLUNTEER EFFORTS

• Volunteer Florida’s ESF-15 representative from Flagler County has deployed to the Emergency Operations Center in Calhoun County. The coordinator is mobilizing registered volunteers and coordinating incoming donations, while serving as a liaison between Volunteer Florida and the Calhoun County.
• At Governor Scott’s direction, Volunteer Florida has activated the Florida Disaster Fund, the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with the public sector, private sector and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities.
  • Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities. To donate, visit, www.volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf/.
• The Red Cross has an emergency response vehicle stationed in Gulf County. This vehicle provides food and water for people affected by Hurricane Michael.

STATE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER/ CONTACTS

• The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated at a level one, which is a full-scale, 24-hours-a-day activation.
• The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) contact number is 1-800-342-3557.
• The State Emergency Operations Center Media Line: 850-921-0217.
• Follow @FLSert or @FLGovScott on Twitter for live updates on Hurricane Michael.
• Visit http://www.floridadisaster.org/info to find information on shelters, road closures, and evacuation routes.