Flood waters recede while local Emergency Management seeks assistance
The Gilchrist County Emergency Management Chief Ron Mills had the Federal Emergency Management Association, Florida Emergency Management, and representatives from the Small Business Administration teams tour the flooded areas of the Suwannee and Santa Fe Rivers on Thursday and Friday, April 23-24, to document damages for residential assistance.
The teams identified preliminary results of more than 129 homes that were damaged from flood waters. With the help of the Gilchrist office of the Florida Division of Forestry, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, local volunteers from Hurley’s Waccasassa Plantation, and representatives of the Red Cross, State and Federal government agencies assessed areas all along the Suwannee and Santa Fe Rivers. Gilchrist County has as yet NOT been included in the Federal Declaration for this event. Gilchrist Emergency Management is working towards inclusion into the existing declaration so Gilchrist County qualifies for both individual and public assistance.
Residents are urged not to swim, boat or fish in the rivers until they have fully receded. All residents with questionable water supply are urged NOT to use it for washing or drinking. Bottled water and clean up kits are available for residents of the AFFECTED areas at the Emergency Operations Center in Bell. Mosquito spray is also available to residents at the same location.
If you have any questions, please call your Emergency Management Office at 386-935-5400, or toll free 866-751-1728.
