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

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

COMMUNICATIONS

• Currently, 96.30% percent of cellular service coverage has been restored in Holmes County. This does not include mobile cellular assets augmenting the network.

POWER RESTORATION

• As of noon, 731 or 7% of accounts in Holmes County do not have power. Since Oct. 11, power has been restored to 9,523 accounts or 92%.
• The 38 generators that were deployed to Holmes County have been returned and were returned to be made available for other counties in need.

MILITARY SUPPORT

• There are currently 15 National Guard troops deployed to Franklin County. National Guard troops are assisting with conducting reconnaissance, search and rescue, and road clearance missions.

TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC WORKS

• All state roads in Holmes County are open.
• FDOT has completed all state bridge inspections in Holmes 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.
• 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
• DCF is providing additional SNAP benefits for customers Holmes County. These benefits are now in the customer’s accounts and accessible on their EBT cards. For more information, click HERE.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

• An online tool for the public to report the location of storm debris in waterways has been deployed. 480 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 Holmes County.
• 235 Disaster Debris Management Sites have been pre-authorized for the counties addressed by the Governor’s Executive Order, with 5 in Holmes County. An additional 4 sites have been approved in Holmes County to further assist with debris removal efforts.
• DEP has deployed wastewater, drinking water and solid waste technical experts to Holmes County to ensure their needs are met.

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY    

• 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 companies that serve Holmes County to ensure power was restored to Holmes County schools.
• Holmes County schools reopened for staff Thursday, October 18, and will reopen for students Monday, October 22.
• Chipola College, which serves Holmes 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

• The ESF-15 representative who is currently stationed in Gadsden County will be arriving at the Emergency Operations Center in Holmes County today. The representative will ensure that volunteers are mobilizing and donations are being managed appropriately and then relay an update back to Volunteer Florida.

• 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.