GOVERNOR CRIST APPLAUDS FLORIDA’S EMERGENCY MANAGERS, FIRST RESPONDERS AND VOLUNTEER AGENCIES FOR SUPERIOR DISASTER RELIEF SUPPORT
~~ ~Encourages Floridians to be prepared by having business, family and pet disaster plans~ ~~
August 13, 2009
Contact:
GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE
850-488-5394
PUNTA GORDA – Governor Charlie Crist today praised Florida’s emergency managers, first responders and volunteer agencies for their support for Florida families and communities devastated by the record breaking 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons. Governor Crist also praised contributors to the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund, which has received more than $27 million in private donations since August 2004.
“Over the last five years, I have witnessed firsthand the unselfish efforts of thousands of Florida responders who answer the call again and again to help their fellow Floridians in times of need,” said Governor Crist. “While we pray for protection, we know every family, business and community must always be prepared for the possibility of another devastating storm.”
On August 13, 2004, the first of eight hurricanes in a 14 month period passed over Florida’s shores. In 2004, Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne all made landfall in Florida, making the state the first to be hit by four hurricanes in one season since Texas in 1886.The series of storms continued in 2005 with Hurricanes Dennis, Katrina, Rita and Wilma, along with three tropical storms. Throughout this period, state emergency managers were activated for more than 160 days. In addition to causing billions of dollars in damages, the hurricanes were responsible for 213 deaths in Florida.
Governor Crist reminded Floridians that storms do not have to be hurricanes to be deadly or destructive. As seen last year, Tropical Storm Fay killed 15 Floridians. Governor Crist encouraged all Floridians to visit www.FloridaDisaster.org where they can find help making business and family plans, tips for protecting property during a storm, checklists for disaster supplies, and pet disaster plans.
Some of the items included on the emergency supply list include:
· Water – at least one gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
· Food – at least enough for 3 to 7 days
o Non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
o Snack foods
o Non-electric can opener
o Cooking tools / fuel
o Paper plates / plastic utensils
· Flashlights and portable, self-powered light sources
· Portable radios, two-way radios and NOAA weather-band radios
· Flexible waterproof sheeting (tarps)
· Gas or diesel fuel containers
· Batteries
· Medications
· Ice chests or other food storage coolers
· Portable generators
· Carbon monoxide detectors
· Storm shutter devices
· Pet carrier and supplies
Governor Crist also emphasized the importance of maintaining a supply of necessary prescription drugs along with special food for infants or elders. He encouraged Floridians to document all valuables and to consolidate important personal documents including, bank account numbers, Social Security cards and immunization records in a waterproof container.
Also today, Governor Crist announced AT&T Florida President Marshall Criser as advisory council chairman for the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund, succeeding Senator Connie Mack who has held the position since its inception. The fund was created in 2004, in response to the devastating hurricanes that struck the state that year. The Florida Disaster Recovery Fund helps citizens recover costs that exceed the coverage provided by insurance, government funding and immediate relief organizations. Since August 2004, more than $27 million in private donations have aided more than 300 non-profit organizations.
“Marshall and AT&T have demonstrated great leadership over the years, and I am grateful for his dedication to helping Floridians recover from natural disasters,” said Governor Crist. “AT&T has been a long-term partner of the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund, and Marshall’s expertise will be invaluable throughout future preparation and recovery efforts.”
The 2009 Hurricane Season ends on November 30, 2009. For more information on building a customized family or business disaster plan, go to www.FloridaDisaster.org.
2004 – 2005 Hurricane Season Timeline
· Hurricane Charley (August 2004) – Hurricane Charley was a Category 4 storm when it made landfall near Punta Gorda on August 13, 2004. It is the fifth costliest storm in U.S. history, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
· Hurricane Frances (September 2004) – Hurricane Frances moved over Florida September 5-6, 2004, and created the most widespread impact of any storm in the 2004 season. The Category 2 storm resulted in evacuation orders for 2.8 million people, the largest in Florida’s history.
· Hurricane Ivan (September 2004) – Hurricane Ivan was the strongest southern hurricane on record while passing through the Atlantic and Caribbean, reaching Category 5 strength with sustained winds near 160 mph. The storm weakened to a Category 3 before moving onshore, but still devastated parts of Florida’s Panhandle on September 16, 2004.
· Hurricane Jeanne (September 2004) – Hurricane Jeanne was a Category 3 storm when it made landfall near Stuart on September 26, 2004. The 120 mph storm hit virtually the same area Hurricane Frances had struck just three weeks earlier.
· Hurricane Dennis (July 2005) – Hurricane Dennis, a Category 3 storm, made landfall at Santa Rosa Island between Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach on July 10, 2005. An unusual storm surge wave flooded the Big Bend coastline more than 150 miles east from Dennis’ landfall point.
· Hurricane Katrina (August 2005) – On August 25, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Florida as a Category 1 storm near the Miami-Dade/Broward County line. The hurricane dropped more than 15 inches of rainfall in less than 24 hours. The storm would proceed to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico before making landfall again in southeast Louisiana as a destructive Category 3 storm.
· Hurricane Rita (September 2005) – Hurricane Rita strengthened from a tropical storm to a Category 2 hurricane within six hours while the eye remained just 50 miles to the south of Key West. Florida evacuated residents and special needs patients in the Keys to Highlands County with the help of a North Carolina-based C-130 air transport. Hurricane Rita would later make landfall and cause extensive damage between Texas and Louisiana as a Category 3 storm.
· Hurricane Wilma (October 2005) – Hurricane Wilma made landfall as a Category 3 storm near Cape Romano in Collier County on October 24, 2005. State Emergency Response Team partners responded with search and rescue teams and more than 3,000 National Guardsmen and 1,100 law enforcement officers. Logistic teams delivered water and ice to more than 70 South Florida sites by the following night. Total commodities included nearly 7.4 million gallons of water, 54.4 million pounds of ice, 10.7 million meals, and more than 262,500 tarps delivered by nearly 5,000 trucks.
About the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund
The Florida Disaster Recovery Fund, formerly the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund, was initiated during the 2004 hurricane season to assist with the unmet and long-term recovery needs of survivors. The fund is managed by the nonprofit Volunteer Florida Foundation and fueled entirely by private sector donations, with grants made to long-term recovery organizations.
All donations to the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund are tax-deductible (Florida charitable registration #8536). Donations can be made securely online by visiting www.FLADisasterFund.org or by calling 1-800-825-3786. Checks are also accepted and can be made payable to the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund and mailed to Volunteer Florida Foundation, 839 East Park Avenue, Suite B, Tallahassee, Florida 32301. Please visit www.FLADisasterFund.org for news and information on disaster preparedness and recovery, and to discover how to get involved.