Over 40 structures were damaged, and 20 roads were impassable following an EF-2 tornado in Holmes County this weekend. Now, county leaders say FEMA will not be providing funding for recovery efforts.
HOLMES COUNTY , Fla. - Holmes County was rocked Saturday by a tornado that damaged more than 40 homes and structures. Holmes County Emergency Director Lt. Barry Lee says he’s never seen anything like it.
“Saturday was a wild minute. The tornado in Holmes County was about 600 yards wide and about 16 miles long. It started in Walton County, it kind of jumped over the Choctawhatchee River, and then it started sitting down in multiple places in the Northeast quadrant of Holmes County,” Lee said.“By the grace of God, we had only one minor injury in our county, no fatalities, no significant injuries. Amazing,” said Lee.Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a Declaration of Emergency for Holmes County, which deployed state resources to the area. “We had about 40 residences impacted in total with some kind of damage, and about 20 roads that were completely impassable to begin with,” Lee said. Holmes County residents stepped up to help, joining with inmates and the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, Florida State Guard, Florida Department of Emergency Management, and more. “People, they didn’t even know came out of nowhere, started clearing roads. I’ve never seen anything like it. If somebody owned a tractor, they were on a road somewhere working, trying to clear it and make sure we didn’t have an entrapment,” said Lee. “We’re moving from the response phase into the recovery.”NewsChannel 7 was in the room on Wednesday as officials from Congressman Neal Dunn’s office and the Florida State Guard visited the Holmes County Emergency Management Center. “We were all networking together to use our resources in the best way and be the best stewards of any financial assistance we can get from the state and get this mess cleaned up,” Lee said.“FEMA has a threshold, 40 million dollars to get FEMA help, we don’t reach that. When small, physically constrained counties don’t reach that, there’s a gap there. And that’s where the state has been instrumental in helping us and are going to continue helping us,” said Lee. County officials praised the work FEMA does in giving resources to storm-torn areas, while noting that the relief should extend to small counties as well. “Let’s say a hurricane hits Miami, it doesn’t take a lot to incur $40 million worth of damage there, or the ones that hit in Tennessee or North Carolina,” Lee said. The county and its residents, along with the state, have been left to pick up the pieces without significant federal financial help. “Everything takes money to run trucks, to pick up debris, to run bulldozers and skid steers, and pay staff. all of that costs a lot of money that physically constrained counties don’t have,” said Lee. As Holmes County recovers, they’re also asking for a change in the process so that small towns can receive big help. “Why can’t there be a different threshold where FEMA is authorized to send money or send resources? That’s why it’s important for our elected national, federal rep to know what’s going on in some areas of the United States,” Lee said. Holmes County officials are asking any resident who has yet to notify county offices of damage to call 850-547-1112.Alabama lawmakers approve additional legal protections for police officers
Federal Aid Florida Panhandle Florida Panhandle Tornado Damage Tornado Damage Holmes County Florida State Guard Aid Storm Damage
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New podcast ‘Death County, PA’ delves into mysterious deaths in a county jailThe first episodes focus on the deaths of 2 men at the prison after being manhandled by guards. They can now be streamed and downloaded wherever you get your podcasts.
Read more »
Harris County: Tempers flare between Commissioner, County Judge during deputy pay raise discussionThe starting salary for a Harris County Sheriff's Deputy is about $57,000. It's about $64,000 for a Houston Police Officer. That jumps to $81,000 by this July, a $24,000 gap.
Read more »
Holmes County Sheriff speaks on widespread tornado damageMultiple homes and properties are damaged following a possible tornado that touched down in the northeastern part of Holmes County Saturday according to officials.
Read more »
Holmes County residents picking up the pieces following weekend tornadoHolmes County residents, law enforcement, and emergency services are picking up the pieces after a tornado tore through the county on Saturday.
Read more »
Harris County deputy taken to hospital after crash in W. Harris CountyThe Harris County Sheriff’s Office says it happened around 8:30 p.m. near the intersection of Greenhouse Road and Hollyhock Drive.
Read more »
WATCH LIVE on Thursday: Bergen County boys lacrosse power hosts Morris County powerSecond-ranked Don Bosco Prep hosts No. 10 Chatham in a pivotal boys lacrosse matchup, and subscribers can watch the game for free
Read more »