Delivering supplies and lending a helping hand
Deputies and volunteers with the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office have been in Glades County, Florida, over the last several days, and have seen a tough situation there.
It’s a really tough situation in Glades County, Florida, where deputies and volunteers with the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office have been assisting in Hurricane Irma recovery as rural residents continue to live without
power over a week after the storm struck, said Sgt. Carrie Edge.
Edge, a public information officer with the
sheriff’s office, said on Wednesday afternoon that she was out in a Hispanic community, which is mostly made up of undocumented
immigrants, that didn’t have power. They won’t ask for help due to their immigration status, she added. But without power, it’s excruciatingly hot and humid in homes without air conditioning units running.
Also, families can’t cook, so the group purchased food items like Ensure or protein bars with donated money to provide them some nutritional fulfillment.
All of the supplies taken in during the RomeGaCares donation effort, which ended Friday, have been delivered, and the group has taken to clearing debris, securing tarps on damaged roofs and tending to the needs of residents. Flooding was not much of an issue in the landlocked county, rather strong winds took down trees and fences, ripped up shingles or tore apart mobile homes.
Insect repellent is like gold, Edge explained, saying that a woman had just hugged a deputy who gave her two bottles and others’ faces lit up with smiles when they got some.
The family members of Glades County deputies have been staying at the sheriff’s office, Edge said. These deputies have work to do on their own homes and are tired from the day-after-day recovery work since the hurricane hit. They are thankful for the extra helping hands, she added.
The group will start heading back to Rome late tonight, Edge said. It has been wonderful to be the boots on the ground and help people who really need it, she added.