April 14, 2009

Flooding and Weather Update




Strong to Severe Thunderstorms with Heavy Rainfall Possible Through This Evening across Northeast and Central Florida...Elevated Threat of Rip Currents along Many Florida Beaches...Flooding Continues along the Suwannee and Santa Fe Rivers...

Damage continues to mount in the wake of record flooding in Hamilton County. Emergency officials estimate that 56 county homes are a total loss and 85 have sustained major damage. Another 100 or more remain inaccessible.

Staff and volunteers at the Hamilton County Emergency Management Operations Center are working around the clock to provide relief to area residents who have been affected by the rivers that have overrun their banks in every corner of the county. Many are working on little sleep, have been called in from other counties and state agencies to provide much-needed assistance.

Hamilton County Sheriff J. Harrell Reid said: "We've experienced tough times in our county and I can't thank the state of Florida enough for the resources they have sent in to us and for the great number of people they've sent to help out in this time of need."

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