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Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Continues to Provide Post-Hurricane Relief to Floridians

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The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services continues to provide response and recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Michael.

Highlights of the department’s response efforts are below:

Florida Forest Service

  • Working with FEMA to provide logistical, planning and operational support for the ongoing Urban Search and Rescue operations.
  • Providing logistical, planning and operational support to Bay County Emergency Management, including removing trees and debris from roadways to provide access to residents returning to their homes.
  • State Forest and State Forest Campground Closures Extended
    • The following state forests and state forest campgrounds will be closed until further notice as damage assessments continue to be conducted:
      • Pine Log State Forest
      • Point Washington State Forest
      • Lake Talquin State Forest –
      • Tate’s Hell State Forest – Womack Creek Campground (only)
    • A complete list of closures can be viewed here.

Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness

  • Food, water and ice delivered to Points of Distribution with food, water and ice to various locations throughout the Panhandle and Big Bend.
  • Requested additional 3 million shelf-stable meals and 200 truckloads of water from FEMA.
  • Supplied over 80 truckloads of ice for missions throughout the state.
  • Received seven truckloads of infant/toddler kits.

Division of Consumer Services

  • Continuing inspections of all gas stations in impacted areas to ensure no fuel quality issues, such as water intrusion into underground tanks, exist following the storm.
  • Continuing inspection sweeps of gas stations in impacted areas looking for credit card skimmers, which department inspectors typically find in large numbers following disasters.

Division of Animal Industry

  • Establishing pet shelters in Bay County.
  • Working closely with SART partners to determine small animal needs in Bay and Gulf counties.
  • Suspended movement requirements for pets and livestock to allow citizens to evacuate and return quickly and easily.

For more information and tips on hurricane preparedness, visit FloridaDisaster.org.

During an emergency, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides necessary food and water to affected areas and helps protect animals and pets. The department’s Florida Forest Service is responsible for incident management and assists emergency responders in clearing debris and distributing supplies. Additionally, the department’s Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement provides law enforcement services to police departments and county sheriff’s offices as necessary.

For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.