Watching Hurricane Idalia gain strength overnight, it became apparent that meterological reports were spot on with the severity of the storm. As it makes its way off in a northeasterly direction, many Floridians are dealing with the aftermath of this record-breaking storm.
One news outlet reported that this is the strongest storm to hit this region of Florida in over a century, and the first Category 3 hurricane on record to go through the Apalachee Bay in the Big Bend area of the state. "The National Weather Service in Tallahassee issued two extreme wind warnings Wednesday morning as the strongest winds from Idalia came ashore. These types of warnings are only issued when sustained winds of 115 mph or greater are expected in an area. Until Wednesday, only 27 extreme wind warnings had ever been issued in the continental US. The majority of these warnings have been issued in Florida." (CNN)
Hope Force currently has staff and Reservists on the ground assessing the damage and determining our landing spot for this deployment. Through numerous contacts in the area, we have several options for housing and multiple connections for locations to provide the most good for the most people.
We are asking if you will come and deploy with us to help with much needed assistance on behalf of the residents of this part of Florida.
This will potentially be BOTH a roof tarping and muckout deployment. Due to the nature of this storm, the wind damage is extensive — as well as a large area of flooding due to the record-setting storm surge.
