On Tuesday, October 23, 2018, in the Chipley, Florida High School Auditorium in Washington County, officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration, Army Corps of Engineers and many other state and local agencies held the second of two town hall meetings to address concerns about relief efforts spawned by damage caused by Hurricane Michael on October 10, 2018.
Attended by a standing-room-only crowd, the event was moderated by Washington County Commission Chairman Tray Hawkins, each agency representative addressed the audience of several hundred people, explaining their respective agency and what they offered in the way of assistance.
Present also were representatives from several state and local elected offices, as well as Washington County Commissioners Todd Abbott, Steve Joyner and Alan Bush.
Tracy Andrews, local manager for Gulf Power Company discussed that service was now on for one hundred percent of those consumers who were able to energize their power meters. As Mayor of Chipley, Andrews also reported that Chipley was rebounding quickly, neighbors were helping neighbors, and business would soon be back to normal, if not a ‘new normal’ for the duration.
FEMA representatives were set up in the foyer of the auditorium, with several workstations, aiding attendees in filling out paperwork necessary to start the assistance process. A FEMA spokesperson explained that homeowners should contact their insurance company first, and that although insurance might cover part of your damage, you still could be eligible for FEMA assistance.
The maximum FEMA benefit is typically $33,000 but some people receive less than this amount, depending on scale of loss and damage, as well as existing insurance coverage. Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-3362 or download the app from www.FEMA.gov.
The Small Business Administration explained that they were a source of low-interest disaster assistance loans for small businesses as well as homeowners, renters and non-profit organizations, and that information is available at www.SBA.gov.
The US Army Corps of Engineers explained ‘Operation Blue Roof’ and the organization’s efforts to help by restoring temporary roofs on damaged homes in order for the homeowner to be able to stay in the building. Operation Blue Roof can be contacted at 888-ROOF-BLU, and there was a contingent on site, offering signups for the service.
Joe Taylor, Superintendent of Schools for Washington County, Florida spoke about the resumption of public school for teachers only on Tuesday, October 23, and that all students would be attending regularly scheduled classes, starting on Wednesday, October 24, 2018.
Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews explained that there were many predatory visitors to the area, looking to prey on older citizens and that everyone should be aware of scammers and thieves for the duration of this emergency.
This entire recorded version of the Town Hall Meeting will be available soon for those who were not able to attend.+
