CERT Mobilizes to Taylor County in Response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton

In October, Escambia and Santa Rosa CERT teams were deployed to Taylor County after Hurricane Helene's devastation. On October 1st, eight Escambia members and one Santa Rosa member assisted in setting up a volunteer reception center and donation warehouse. Three members managed volunteer registration, while others organized a donation warehouse at Perry Foley Airport.

The team processed incoming donations, provided donor guidance, and helped residents affected by the hurricane. They received 36 truckloads of donations in just over a week. With Hurricane Milton approaching, the team moved donations to a safer location at a lumber mill.

After evacuating for the storm, the team returned with the State Guard to inventory and redistribute donations. Over the next week, they received 10 more truckloads and distributed eight to the community. Walton County CERT relieved Escambia after two weeks.

On their return, Escambia's CERT team focused on distributing donations, managing new arrivals, and sending unused items to a multi-agency warehouse. They successfully transferred all donations and distributed 20 pallets to areas in need. Finally, the team relocated donated items from Steinhatchee to Keaton Beach, operating a temporary distribution point for survivors.