The Gulf Power Foundation is donating $100,000 to the American Red Cross to help assist people impacted by Hurricane Michael.
Hurricane Michael made landfall last Wednesday afternoon near Panama City as a category 4 hurricane – the strongest hurricane to hit the continental U.S. in 50 years. Hurricane Michael left a vast path of destruction behind, leaving many citizens without homes, food or medical necessities. The American Red Cross is on the ground providing safe shelters, food, water and comfort to those who need it most.
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The Red Cross of Northwest Florida is concentrating our relief efforts in Panama City and the surrounding areas most significantly affected by the hurricane. We’re working around the clock with our partners to get help where it’s most needed, and we’re reaching more neighborhoods each day. We’re working to move volunteers and supplies, and to support dozens of shelters where people can find comfort and refuge. The Gulf Power Foundation’s partnership and contribution to our relief efforts enable the Red Cross to be there when disaster strikes.
“Since Hurricane Michael made landfall, our team of more than 7,200 people have been working 24/7 to restore power and hope to our customers.” Said Sandy Sims, Eastern District General Manager with Gulf Power. “Restoring and rebuilding communities after natural disasters is core to the Red Cross of Northwest Florida’s mission and we’re proud to support the important work they’re doing.”
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Red Cross Response:
- Tuesday night, more than 1,690 people stayed in as many as 19 Red Cross and community evacuation centers across Florida and Georgia. This included approximately 1,400 people in 15 shelters in Florida; more than 220 people in 3 shelters in Georgia; and more than 50 people in 1 shelter in Alabama. In total, the Red Cross and other organizations have provided more than 23,000 overnight stays in emergency shelters—the Red Cross has provided about 80 percent of these stays.
- More than 1,400 Red Cross disaster workers are on the ground to support relief efforts across three states. Hundreds more are being mobilized now.
- Working with partners, the Red Cross has served more than 309,000 meals and snacks.
- Volunteer mental health and health services professionals have provided some 4,500 contacts to provide support and care to evacuees.
- We’ve distributed more than 8,700 relief items like clean up kits, rakes, shovels, bleach, garbage bags and much more to help with the massive clean-up effort.
- Working with the Southern Baptists, the Red Cross has deployed 6 field kitchens to Florida and Georgia that together can cook tens of thousands of hot meals per day.
- The Red Cross has also mobilized more than 70 emergency response vehicles to help distribute food and relief supplies across affected neighborhoods.
- Since October 9, more than 4.8 million weather alerts have been issued through Red Cross apps allowing people to make informed and lifesaving decisions.
- On October 10, Hurricane Michael made a Category 4 landfall as the third-strongest hurricane in U.S. history. It was also the strongest hurricane to hit the U.S. in 50 years.
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The Gulf Power Foundation is an independent 501©(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is building strong and sustainable communities and improving the lives of Northwest Florida residents. Since 1987, the Gulf Power Foundation has been strengthening communities in Northwest Florida through financial support and partnerships.
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