The City of Noblesville is asking residents to assist with Hurricane Michael relief focused on a small Florida town. Noblesville firefighter Lt. Eric Housman is spearheading the relief effort for Chipley, Fla., and its surrounding area.
Power may not be restored to the area of Chipley, Fla., until Thanksgiving. (Photo provided)
“This area is a region I am familiar with,” he said. “It is a lower income area that is approximately 60 miles inland. The eye wall of Hurricane Michael directly hit them and caused major damage throughout the region.”
Michael’s impact has destroyed buildings and homes, knocked down trees and utilities, and covered roadways with debris. Housman has a direct connection with the volunteer fire department in Wausau, Fla., who is running some of the regional relief efforts.
“As the eye came through they were having 130 mph sustained winds and gusts of 150 mph with a band width of 85 to 100 miles. In Indiana, that is comparable to an EF3 tornado with gusts of 136 to 165 mph, but is only a half-mile wide,” Housman said. “The effects of Hurricane Michael on Chipley have been devastating. The local power company stated that it might have the power restored by Thanksgiving due to losing 98 percent of their infrastructure.”
The city has setup donation boxes at Noblesville City Hall, 16 S. 10th St., and all Noblesville Fire Stations. Housman is asking for donations of male and female personal hygiene products, diapers, baby formula, wet wipes, non-perishable food, bottled water, toilet paper and similar items. Deadline for the drop off is Wednesday, Oct. 31.
Photo provided
“There is tremendous need, so I will not turn down anything that I feel is useful,” Housman said.
Housman will take all donations to the area, but he is looking for a large cargo trailer to pull with his truck. If a private donor has equipment he can borrow, Housman can be reached at 317-557-5464.
About Chipley, Fla.
As of the 2010 census, there were 3,605 people, 1,442 households and 908 families residing in the city. The median income for a household in the city was $21,686, and the median income for a family was $28,792. About 27.7 percent of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.4 percent of those under age 18 and 22.3 percent of those age 65 or older.