Good morning!
As most of us prepare for our first full week of work since Hurricane Michael, here’s the latest info on relief efforts for those affected by the hurricane.
Insurance village is set to open on Tuesday and will provide WiFi, answers on finances, and housing vouchers. According to WJHG, that village will set up in the parking lot of Sam’s Club on 23rd Street. It will be open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CT. This resource is not limited to Bay County. Anyone with an insurance claim is welcome to come.
Hundreds deployed to help re-establish cellular service. According to MyPanhandle.com, Governor Rick Scott announced on Sunday that more than 2,000 telecommunications professionals working in 200 Communication Technician Repair Crew Strike Teams are working to restore cellular service. AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile have deployed mobile cellular towers to provide service.
Speaking of AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile…T-Mobile was giving out free T-Mobile phones at Rutherford High School. Hundreds of people lined up at the AT&T store in Lynn Haven to get new phones. And Verizon has continued to try to improve the spotty cell phone service so people can can in-touch with loved ones.
Geico sets up tents where storm victims can file claims. According to MyPanhandle.com, Geico catastrophe teams have set up tents off 15th Street in Panama City where locals can file claims after Hurricane Michael.
More insurance news comes from the state level. According to WEAR TV, Governor Rick Scott on Sunday directed the state’s top insurance regulator to freeze any potential property-insurance rate increases for 90 days as homeowners and businesspeople grapple with massive damage from Hurricane Michael.
On the grocery side of things, Walmart and Sam’s Club offers relief in Panama City. MyPanhandle.com has been keeping a running list of what both of those companies have been doing. Winn-Dixie is opening a mobile pharmacy in Panama City and will be offering vaccines, prescription refills and transfers. It’s also one of four locations that will be providing free water and ice.
The linemen have been amazing. According to a new report from The Destin Log, in less than 48 hours, crews have restored power to more than 37,235 Gulf Power customers in the wake of Hurricane Michael, and more than 4,400 storm personnel have been mobilized and have already begun working in the hardest hit areas. CHELCO was also said to have wrapped up power restoration over the weekend. According to a Facebook post from the company, as of 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13., just 10 CHELCO members remain without power.
After taking a direct hit from the storm, “Tyndall has been destroyed.” Click here to read more.
Looting leads to death. A looter was shot and killed by authorities in Panama City, according to MyPanhandle.com. WEAR TV reports the shooting happened near the Tidewater Estates and Dune Creek area. A witness told them the man who was shot was trying to steal a law enforcement vehicle.
Catholic Charities USA presented a $1 million check to Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida Sunday afternoon at the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. Click here to read the story.
Trump to visit. According to the Northwest Florida Daily News, President Trump plans to visit Florida and Georgia today to survey damage caused by Hurricane Michael.
That’s all I have for you this morning. A big THANK YOU again to all of those who continue to donate both time and resources to those affected by the storm. Seeing the hundreds of posts on Facebook and Instagram has been amazing and humbling at the same time.
#panhandlestrong