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

Governor Rick Scott has been in constant communication with local officials and emergency management in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County.

FOOD AND WATER

• There are three points of distribution in Washington County that are either open or opening.
  • Vernon High School 3232 Moss Hill Rd., Vernon, FL 32462
  • 3121 Possum Place Drive, Chipley, FL 32428
  • 1545 Brickyard Road, Chipley, FL 32428

COMMUNICATIONS

• Currently, 79.49% of cellular service coverage has been restored in Washington County. This does not include mobile cellular assets augmenting the network.

POWER RESTORATION

• 10 push crews have been deployed to assist utilities that serve Washington County. These push crews go in front of utility trucks and clear debris blocking their path.
• Current power outage as of noon is 1,890, or 14% – an 86% improvement from the peak of the storm when all customers in Washington County had lost power.
• 76 generators have been deployed to Jackson County.

SHELTERS

• 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 88 National Guard troops deployed to Washington County. National Guard troops are assisting with conducting reconnaissance, search and rescue, and road clearance missions. Of those soldiers, 28 are staffing points of distribution for food and water.
• The Florida National Guard is providing communications support packages to Washington County.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

• Currently, 71 law enforcement officers have been deployed to Washington County.
• FWC officers met and coordinated in Chipley for staging and moving staff.
• The Florida Highway Patrol has deployed an unmanned aerial vehicle with livestreaming capabilities to assess road and bridge response and recovery needs, as well as search and rescue missions in Chipley.

TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC WORKS

• All state roads in Washington County are open.
• FDOT has completed all state bridge inspections in Washington 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, Home Sweet Home, has been completely evacuated and remains closed.
• Northwest Florida Community Hospital is fully operational
• 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
• 10 ambulances have been deployed to Washington County.
• All pharmacies in Washington County are open.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

• An online tool for the public to report the location of storm debris in waterways has been deployed. 470 reports of debris have been received.
• DEP has completed two mission requests, and has no outstanding request for assistance, submitted through Florida’s Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (FlaWARN) in Washington County.
• 235 Disaster Debris Management Sites have been pre-authorized for the counties addressed by the Governor’s Executive Order, with 11 in Washington County.
• DEP has deployed wastewater, drinking water and solid waste technical experts to Washington County to ensure their needs are met.

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY    

• The Florida SBDC Network and the U.S. Small Business Administration have opened Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) to assist small businesses impacted by Hurricane Michael. Small businesses can get assistance applying for state and federal business disaster loans. A Business Recovery Center is expected to open in Washington County on Monday October 22^nd at 11:00 am at the Washington County Chamber of Commerce 672 5th St Chipley, FL 32428. It is scheduled to operate Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
• Members of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Leadership Team met with area businesses and CareerSource Boards in Washington County next week.
• 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 Governor’s press release HERE.
• 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 https://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.
• The Department coordinated with the utility company that serves Washington County to ensure power was restored to Washington County schools.
• Washington County schools will reopen for teachers Tuesday, October 23, and Wednesday, October 24, for students.
• Chipola College, which serves Washington County, will reopen Monday, October 22.
• FDOE will be posting up-to-date information regarding closures and meeting cancellations at www.fldoe.org/hurricaneinfo.

VOLUNTEER EFFORTS

• An ESF-15 representative has deployed to the Emergency Operations Center in Washington County. The representative is mobilizing volunteers at Vernon Elementary School, the designated volunteer reception center, and coordinating incoming donations, while also serving as a liaison between Volunteer Florida and the Washington County. In partnership with Volunteer Florida’s Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), the representative has initiated tarping and chainsaw operations that will take place in the coming days.

• 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. To donate, visit, www.volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf/.

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.