Need help in Gulf County?

Oct. 16--We are dedicated to helping relief efforts to Hurricane Michael victims, and want to share this list of information for Gulf County residents. Find out about schools, medical care, food, supplies and other help here:

MEDICAL:

For medical needs, go to Sacred Heart Hospital or the Wewahitchka Health Department. We have ambulance strike teams and medical strike teams to assist you.

Citizen Information Line is now activated. The number is 805-536-4432 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Please note the area code is 805. This is a California number, but calls are received and responded to here in Gulf County. Please read the most recent updates in full and check this Facebook page and the Gulf County Sheriff's Office Facebook page prior to calling.

Dr. Michael Barnes Office in Wewahitchka will be open on 10/16/18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Only established patients will be seen (walk-ins only). The office will be fully operational and patients will be billed later. Dr. Barnes office is located at 412 FL-71, Wewahitchka, FL. For more information call 850-639-4036.

The VA's Marianna Clinic located at 4970 US 90 Marianna will begin temporary operations on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 for Veterans needing medical care or mental health services. Hours of operation are Monday -- Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.

DONATIONS:

Monetary donations to reputable charities are highly recommended as the immediate food, ice and water needs of the community are being met. Donations needs are as follows: diapers, baby wipes, baby formula (dairy and non-dairy), feminine products, personal hygiene products, cleaning supplies, charcoal, proteins such as canned meat, beef jerky, peanut butter, and pet food.

Donation drop off locations are: The Old Wewa Gym at 825 South Highway 71, Wewahitchka and 300 Allen Memorial Way, Port St. Joe. Operating hours are 8 a.m. to 12 noon for pickup and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for deliveries.

SCHOOLS:

Notice from the Gulf District School Superintendent Jim Norton: Gulf District Schools is tentatively planning to reopen schools in approximately two weeks. However, this is contingent upon several factors and may require a somewhat non-traditional educational model. Our school facilities were fortunate to sustain much less damage than many other areas, but repairs are needed to ensure student and staff safety. Elementary schools sustained less damage than the high schools. If these schools are inspected and deemed structurally sound, it may be possible to open one at each end of the county and have two half-day sessions at each; a half- day for elementary students and a half-day for high school students at each end This would require a great deal of planning and there would be many details to iron out: transportation, food service, displaced students/ staff, extracurricular, etc. It would be a step toward achieving much-needed normalcy. The school board will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow morning and principals and district staff will meet afterward to strategize. We understand the frustration that comes with things being unsettled and that these frustrations are compounded by tenuous communication, but ask that you be patient and "stay tuned" as we work toward our goal of reopening schools and restoring them to pre-hurricane status. This is a process and one that takes time and planning. Thank you for your patience. Look for another update soon.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT:

The Gulf County Building Department is beginning to conduct Damage Assessments throughout the county. To assist with this process, the Building Department asks anyone returning to their residence, mark their address somewhere on the property. This can be done by spray painting the address on a structure that is still standing on the property or putting the information on the street in front of the property. Magic markers or other marking devices will also work.

ROAD CLOSURE:

The only road closed at this time is SR- C30E (Cape Sand Blas Road) -- from Stump Pole North.

DISTRIBUTION SITES:

Mobile Distribution Sites for food and water. NOTE these are mobile and may change, but are available currently for residents who cannot get to the Points of Distribution Sites at Wewa High School or Port St. Joe Elementary School

1. St Joe Beach Volunteer Fire Dept. 7912 Alabama Ave

2. White City Volunteer Fire Dept. 6987 FL-71

3. Overstreet Volunteer Fire Dept. 314 Firehouse Rd

4. Dalkeith Volunteer Fire Dept. 2731 Co RD 381, Wewa

5. Creek Stop and Deli 3050 FL-71, Wewa

6. Gulf County Fire Station #1. 404 Williams Ave, Port St. Joe

7. Highland View Volunteer Fire Dept. 133 Park, Port St. Joe

FUMC Care Closet will be open Monday -- Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this week. ALL items are FREE. 510 East 4th St, Port St. Joe.

BANKING:

Centennial Bank's Port St. Joe Branch located at 202 Marina Dr, Port St. Joe, FL. Will have Drive Thru Lane 1 open Tuesday, 10/16/18 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET. Centennial Bank.

SAFETY TIPS:

Note the following safety tips; Listen to authorities for information and instructions, be careful during clean-up, wear protective clothing and work with someone else, be safe in the use of ladders and be cautious for nails and glass laying around, do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water, if it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box to prevent shock, document any property damage with photographs. Contact your insurance company for assistance.

Please utilize FEMA as a resource at www.disasterassistance.gov or 800-621-3362.

Follow health safety tips at Florida Department of Health (DOH) Facebook page. (Generator safety, food and water safety, etc.)

___

(c)2018 The News Herald (Panama City, Fla.)

Visit The News Herald (Panama City, Fla.) at www.newsherald.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.