Gadsden County is urged to get prepared ahead of hurricane season

On Saturday, June 4, the Gadsden County Emergency Management attended the Dancing by

the River festival and educated the community about the importance of hurricane preparedness.

They usually do an annual event, the first one being in 2019, but decided that a new approach had to be made to get their presence known in the community.

“This particular event was made as a county wide effort,” said Tashonda Whaley, interim director for Gadsden County Emergency Management. “We decided to do one in each of the municipalities so that we can have our presence out. For people to meet their commissioners, police departments, and bring us closer.”

With Gadsden County not being a coastal county, many have the mentality that not much damage will be caused if another hurricane were to hit but the emergency management staff hopes for people to get rid of that mindset.

Their top goal is to have residents know what it is they have to do to be prepared for any type of storm or natural disaster whether it’s a category one or five storm.

Tia Thorpe, the victim advocate for the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, was one of the booth hosts at a pop-up event in Chattahoochee last weekend. Thorpe, along with other members of emergency management, response, and law enforcement provided information on staying safe during hurricane season and beyond.

The emergency management team recommends knowing where your nearest shelter is, and if you’re not going to one to make sure you have enough food and water provisions to last at least 92 hours at home.

On some occasions, that is how long it takes for help to arrive.

“Don’t depend on rescue to come to you so quickly because sometimes the trees are down, roads are closed, and nobody can get to you,” said Whaley. “That was one of the cases during Hurricane Michael.”

Taking Hurricane Michael into account, the Gadsden County Emergency Management wants to make sure that another disaster like such doesn’t happen.

Though they cannot control Mother Nature, they do hope to enlist the proper protocols that need to be taken anytime there is a severe weather forecast.

During last week’s event, the emergency management staff handed out brochures with information about flood safety, lightning and thunderstorm safety, tornado safety, and vital information on what to do if a hurricane is threatening your community.

They were also raising awareness for the victim advocacy unit. Victim advocate Tia Thorpe offered guides with information about refuge houses and what to do if you’re a victim of a crime.

Thorpe assists every event with the Gadsden County Emergency Management.

Members of Gadsden County Emergency Management gathered in Chattahoochee last weekend to spread awareness regarding local hurricane preparedness.

The Gadsden County Emergency Management will be hosting it’s third Annual Health and Safety Fair for Hurricane Preparedness on June 18 at the Walmart’s Parking Lot in Quincy.

The event will be from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

They will also be hosting a smaller event on June 8 at the Eugene Lamb Park in Midway from 5-7 p.m.

During the fair, there will be safety demonstrations from law enforcement agencies, the Red Cross will have information about sheltering and volunteering, the Health Department will be conducting COVID tests as well as diabetes checks, and Talquin Electric Company will do demonstrations of how to safely operate a generator.

The Gadsden County Emergency Management is looking for volunteers to help during hurricane season with sheltering and supplies distribution points.

Applicants can reach the department at (850) 627-9233.

They must be 18 or older and be able to pass a background check.

Maybellina Somoza - Gadsden County News Service

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Gadsden County is urged to get prepared ahead of hurricane season

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Quincy limits summer youth program to local teens

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