Panhandle officials respond to Hurricane Idalia impact

TAYLOR COUNTY, Fla. (FLV) – Several leaders from the panhandle joined state and county officials across the Big Bend in response to the recent Hurricane Idalia that swept through north Florida on Wednesday.

U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., state Rep. Jason Shoaf, R-Port St. Joe, and state Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, said they are working together to help districts recover.

Dunn spoke on how hurricane survivors will be able to apply for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s resources and funding that they provide after disasters.

”The representative, senator, and I will continue to work together to get all hurricane Idalia survivors the most up-to-date information as quickly as we can,” he added. “We are in this together.”

The two state lawmakers recently traveled their districts as they talked with local leaders on how the relief efforts have been going in the hardest hit counties.

”I met with county officials and local residents in Dixie, Lafayette, Suwanee, and Hamilton Counties to understand their needs as we move forward with a safe and efficient recovery,” Simon said on social media.

“I want to thank these incredible individuals and all of the volunteers who are diligently working to help our communities recover,” he said.

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis joined the lawmakers’ visits, including stops with with Dixie County Sheriff Darian Brown and Suwannee County Sheriff Sam St. John.

“There’s a lot of needs to be met here in Taylor County,” Patronis said on a Thursday social media post in Perry.

“The state of Florida is going to be here, my office is going to be here to help you,” he added.

He also praised Gov. Ron DeSantis, as well as Florida’s Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie, for their leadership and commitment to the state.

“They’ve done an amazing job over the last 24 hours and we’ll be here as long as it takes to help put your lives back together and get back on your feet,” he closed.

Hurricane Idalia hit Florida’s Big Bend early Wednesday morning, leaving over 500,000 people without electricity.

DeSantis reported that as of Friday morning, 476,000 people had their power restored within 48 hours after losing it, while a remaining 91,000 are expected to gain it back by Sunday.

Additionally, Guthrie reported that nine meal pods were open in the most critical counties in the big bend. During the hurricane recovery, 2,100 vehicles have visited these pods and more than 48,000 liters of water have been distributed.

Shevaun Harris, the secretary of Florida’s Department of Children and Families, mentioned that Family Resource Centers have been opened up in Madison, Taylor and Suwanee Counties.