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The original item was published from 12/19/2018 2:50:00 PM to 2/6/2020 3:50:46 PM.

News Flash

Recover Bay County

Posted on: October 23, 2018

[ARCHIVED] Hurricane Michael Oct. 23 update

Essential Information

The Bay County medical examiner is reporting 20 casualties.
The 211 Citizen Hotline continues to receive non-emergency calls.
For up-to-date information, go to www.recoverbaycounty.com .
A curfew is still in effect for Bay County from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
On October 24 Weather: High of 81 degrees, low of 65 degrees. Winds northeast 5-10 mph. Forty (40) percent chance of rain in the evening.

Power Outages

Bay County has approximately 16 percent of customers without power.
Gulf Power has approximately 10 percent of customers without power.
Gulf Coast Electric has approximately 68 percent without power.
Please do not call 9-1-1 to report power outages.
- Gulf Power knows when your power is out. You can track outages on their outage map from your smartphone on the Gulf Power Outage Map or report power outages at https://outagemap.gulfpower.com/external/default.html
- Gulf Coast Electric Coop will not charge any late fees as we repair our system and offices.
- Gulf Coast Electric Coop customers can call 1-800-568-3667 to report an outage or view power outages on the outage map at http://outagemap.gcec.com.

VOLUNTEERS

Please do not travel to the impacted area to volunteer without being assigned through an established disaster response group. We are seeing large numbers of untrained volunteers come forward wanting to help in areas that are still EXTREMELY UNSAFE. Volunteers not involved in a coordinated effort, though well-meaning, are a HINDRANCE when not PART OF AN ORGANIZED PROCESS. Those interested in volunteering can visit VolunteerFlorida.org or crisiscleanup.org to register on a volunteer database. You can also connect with an established relief organization or volunteer center to help. To date, Crisis Cleanup has logged more than 600 volunteer hours to help those in need.

ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Shelters

Bozeman School – 258 general population
Breakfast Point Academy – 359 general population
Surfside Middle School – 171 general population

The current numbers continue to slowly decline. As of today at midnight, the census is down 5 percent, specifically.

Mass Care is actively working with county, municipal and state officials, and community partners to find a suitable location to host all sheltered persons, preferably a single location, to allow the schools to transition back to learning. Multiple sites are being considered and site evaluations are ongoing.

Salvation Army Feeding Sites

Open for lunch 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and dinner daily from 5-6 p.m.

The Salvation Army – 1824 W. 15th St., Panama City
Cedar Grove Elementary School – 2825 15th St., Panama City
Winn Dixie Lynn Haven – 1812 Lynn Haven Pkwy Lynn Haven FL
Walmart Callaway- 725 N Tyndall Pkwy., Callaway
MLK Rec Center- 705 14th St., Panama City
Old Kmart Parking Lot- 7100 U.S. 98, Panama City
Jinks Middle School- 600 W 11th St., Panama City
Coram’s - Hwy 2301 & 231
Parker Fire Department- 4534 E Business 98
Callaway Elementary/High Praise Church- 7115 FL Hwy. 22, Panama City
Walmart Panama City- 513 W 23rd St., Panama City
Walmart Lynn Haven- 2101 S Hwy. 77, Lynn Haven
Walmart Panama City Beach- 10270 Front Beach Road
Springfield Elementary- 520 School Ave., Panama City
Cove Shopping Center- 901 Cherry St., Panama City
Hickory Plaza – St. Andrew- 404 S Tyndall Pkwy Panama City
St. Andrews Bay – Piggly Wiggly- 8012 Hwy 2301 Panama City
Winn Dixie Sherwood- 3157 W 23^rd St Panama City

Pre-Packaged Food Distributions

Woodlawn United Methodist Church – We Care – 219 N Alf Coleman Rd, Panama City Beach, 850-867-7342, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily
Food 4 Kidz, Inc – 16610 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, 850-249-5439, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday-Friday
St. Andrew Christian Care Center – 3101 A West US Hwy 98, Panama City, 850-763-2345, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily
Springfield United Methodist Mission House , in conjunction with Springfield Community Church (7^th & Transmitter) – 615 Transmitter Rd, Panama City, 850-769-0374, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
Truth Baptist Church – 4015 Maynard Drive, Panama City, 850-774-0300, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. every other day beginning Sunday, October 21, as food comes
Woodstock Church – 17495 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach, 850-234-0488, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. daily
First Baptist Church of Panama City , 601 Grace Avenue, Panama City, 850-960-9929, only when able to accept food. Pantry damaged, but has access to parking lots.

There are various feeding sites and locations with meals and water including self-stable and Meals-Ready-to-Eat (MREs). Please check with your local faith-based organizations and churches for donation and feeding information.

Transitional Housing Assistance

FEMA is providing Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) for families in Bay County. TSA provides FEMA funded short-term lodging in hotels and motels for eligible disaster survivors who are unable to return home for an extended period due to disaster-related damages or inaccessibility of their communities.
FEMA is currently notifying eligible families in Bay County who have already applied for assistance of their sheltering options under TSA. Families in Bay County looking to confirm their TSA eligibility should call 1-800-621-FEMA or visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov for more information on TSA and to find participating hotels and motels or to begin the assistance process.
Rental assistance from FEMA lasts for an initial period of 90 days.
FEMA does not use vouchers for hotels. All sheltering in hotel or motels approved by FEMA is paid directly to hotels. Survivors do not receive vouchers from FEMA.

FEMA Points of Distribution

The FEMA Points of Distribution (POD) offers food and water while supplies last. Items will be restocked continuously. Open 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. A limited supply of tarps are available. Additional tarps have been ordered.

Southport

Deerpoint Elementary School, 4800 CR 2321

Panama City

Rosenwald Middle School, 924 Bay Ave.
Panama City Seventh-Day Adventist Church and School - 2700 Lisenby Ave.

Callaway

High Praise Church, 7124 SR 22

Mexico Beach

1011 CR 386

Florida Public Assistance Process (State & Local Governments)

The Florida Public Assistance Process is accepting grant applications for state and local governments as well as certain Private Non-Profits organizations. For available grants, guidelines and additional information visit www.floridapa.org . The assistance request deadline is Nov. 10.

Operation Blue Roof

Operation Blue Roof, which temporarily repairs roofs at no cost to families, offers temporary covering of blue plastic sheeting helps reduce further damage to property until permanent repairs can be made.

Primary residences that have standard shingled roofs are eligible to receive a temporary blue roof. Metal roofs and mobile homes will be considered for the program, as practical on a case-by-case basis. Roofs with greater than 50- percent structural damage are not eligible for this program. Renters must obtain legal permission from the homeowner to continue occupying the residence until more permanent repairs are made.

Homeowners must sign a Right of Entry, or ROE, form to allow government employees and contractors onto their property to assess damage and install the temporary covering.

Right of Entry collection centers are located at:

Panama City Square

525 W 23rd Street, Panama City

Walmart near Pier Park

15495 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach

Walmart

2101 S. Hwy. 77, Lynn Haven

Centers are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Additional locations may be added as necessary. For the most current information, please visit the Jacksonville District website at www.usace.army.mil/blueroof or call 1-888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258). Information is provided in both English and Spanish through this single number.

Veterans

Bay County Veterans Services will be open for inquiries and claims appointments at 850-248-8280 beginning Wednesday, Oct. 24, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Find out where to get healthcare Department Veterans Disaster Response Line 1-800-507-4571 24 hours.
Department of Veterans Affairs Pharmacy Customer Care (Bay County) 850-640-3062.
The American Red Cross Emergency Communication Center and Cash Assistance 1-877-272-7337
FEMA 1-800-621-3362
VeteransFlorida.org/recovery for monetary assistance.
Bay County Veterans Services 850-819-2920 for veterans information.
VA Clinics open for walk-ins accepted 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Panama City Beach VA, 2600 Veterans Way along Magnolia Beach Rd.

Mobile Vet Center and Mobile Medical Unit in Panama City to offer medical care and counseling services to veterans in the community or primary care.

MEDICAL SERVICES

Mobile Medical Unit

Breakfast Point – 601 Richard Jackson Blvd, Panama City Beach. Doctor or nurse practitioner on site. Open to the public. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily

The Florida Department of Health in Bay County
597 W 11^th St., Panama City
Main Line: 850-872-4455
Environmental Health: 850-252-9688
Current Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Full services including:

WIC (benefits should be automatically loaded to accounts)
ADAP
Immunizations including Tetanus and Hep
Family Planning
Birth and death certificates

Americares Clinic:

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily
Primary care services for children and adults, including prescription medication

Emergency Diabetes Supplies:

While supplies last
Bring a box or prescription for insulin so we can provide the correct type and dose
Call 850-252-9656 to check supplies

First Baptist Church
823 15^th ST, Mexico Beach
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Immunizations including Tetanus and Hep A
First aid, respiratory care, and physician care
Partnership with Heart to Heart International and Sacred Heart Medical Group

Breakfast Point Academy
601 N Richard Jackson Blvd., Panama City Beach
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Immunizations including Tetanus and Hep A
First aid, respiratory care, and physician care

Tetanus Points of Distribution
Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bay County Sheriff’s Office, 3421 Hwy 77, Panama City- First responders only
Additional sites and locations to be announced

Free Clinics
PanCare
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

2309 E. 15^th St. in Panama City for medical and dental.
Mobile medical services at Walmart in Callaway, 725 N. Tyndall Parkwa
St. Andrews Community Medical Center, 3101b W. Highway 98, Panama City, Hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hospitals

Bay Medical Sacred Heart, 615 N. Bonita Ave, Panama City- Emergency Room ONLY
Bay Medical Beach ER- Intersection of Panama City Beach Parkway (Hwy. 98) and Richard Jackson Blvd.
Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center, 449 W. 23^rd St., Panama City- Emergency Room ONLY
Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf, 3801 E. Hwy. 98, Port St. Joe- Fully operational

Mental Health and Substance Use Services
Life Management Center

Genoa Pharmacy, 525 E. 15^th St. Bldg E, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (current patients)
Current Client Refills call 850-522-4485, ext. 1823
Limited services- Bonifay office, 310 Byrd Ave. and Marianna, 4094 Lafayette St. hours are 8 am to 5 pm Monday – Friday
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 850-273-8255
Treatment Center of Panama City, 1530 Harrison Ave., Panama City, 6:30 – 11:30 a.m. daily. Current patients and guest dosers

Prescriptions
Under the Emergency Order, people can get a 30-day refill of prescriptions.

To find an open pharmacy near you, got to RxOpen.org.
Emergency Prescription Assistance Program for people who do not have health insurance. Call the EPAP Hotline at 1-855-793-7470 to find out if you are eligible.

For additional health care provider information, visit https://info.emeraldcoastmedicalassociation.com/blog/practice-updates-for-hurricane-michael-impacted-areas .

Assistance Services

For emergency services please call 911.
For local service information call 211.
For suicide prevention call the national Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 850-273-8255.
The Panama City Treatment Center is open from 6:30 – 11:30 am daily. They are treating current patients and guests.

U.S. Postal Services

Priority Mail Express is being accepted for the following three-digit ZIP Code but is not eligible for a guarantee until further notice. Live animals are not being accepted at this time.

324 (zip code)

Retail and delivery operations, as well as drop shipments, are suspended at the following offices, with services available at an alternate location:

Fountain, 12606 Silver Lake Rd., 32438 — Alternate: Youngstown, 11805 Highway 231, 32466

Retail services are being offered onsite via a Mobile Retail Unit for the following offices.

Lynn Haven, 2319 S. Highway 77, 32444
Panama City: North Side, 1315 W. 17th St., 32405

All operations are suspended at the following office. Retail and delivery services are being offered at Panama City GMF as noted below:

Tyndall AFB, 730 Suwannee Rd., Panama City, 32403 — Alternate: Panama City GMF, 1336 Sherman Ave., 32401

CLEAN UP

Bay County is seeing a lot of injuries relating to storm clean-up. Please take proper precautions to ensure your safety. Wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves during clean-up to avoid injury and contamination. Items that have come in contact with sewage or floodwaters may be unhealthy. Chainsaws should be operated only by people experienced in using them. If you get a wound or cut from debris, seek medical attention and ask for a Tetanus shot. These are available at DOH-Bay. When cleaning up mold, don’t mix cleaning products.

*Bay County is expecting rain. Do not place debris in ditches.

Mold Clean-up

Eight Tips to Cleanup Mold: https://www.cdc.gov/phpr/infographics/8tipstocleanupmold.htm
Mold Clean-Up After Disasters: When to Use Bleach: https://www.cdc.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-bleach.html
What to Wear before entering a Home or Building with Mold Damage: https://www.cdc.gov/mold/What-to-Wear.html
Shopping List for Cleaning Mold in Your Home After a Flood: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/shoppinglist.html

Hospitals

St. Andrews Community Medical Center is opened and seeing patients. Their address is 3101b W Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Americares is partnering with them to provide this service.

Bay Medical Sacred Heart and Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center are offering emergency room services. These units also have Hep A and Tetanus immunizations available. Each hospital is working on plans to provide additional services in stages. DOH-Bay is working in coordination with the hospitals on their plans to return to normal operations.

Bay Medical Center now has clinic locations that are opened. Magnolia- 2421 Thomas DR, Beach- 11111 PCB PKWY, Oceanpark- 23040 PCB PKWY. Call 850-770-3230 or visit baymedical.org.

We realize many of our Mexico Beach residents utilize healthcare services in Gulf County. We want you all to know that Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf located at 3801 E. Hwy 98 in Port St. Joe is now opened with emergency room and inpatient services. All Sacred Heart Medical Group offices are now operating in Port St. Joe and Wewahitchka.

Food
Food is safe in a full freezer for about 48 hours or 24 hours if it is half full. Refrigerated food is safe about four hours if it is unopened. After that time, perishable items such as meat, chicken, fish, cheese, milk, eggs, and leftovers should be thrown away. Take a picture for your insurance company before you dispose of items.

Tetanus Risks

No one should play in flood waters. The water can contain bacteria. If you have come in contact with flood waters, you should receive a Hep A vaccination. Again, these are available at DOH-Bay. Tetanus is a risk when you get a puncture wound or cut. If you receive a puncture wound and it becomes contaminated with sewage, dirt or flood water, thoroughly clean the wound and have a healthcare provider determine whether a tetanus shot or booster is necessary. If you feel you need a tetanus, please visit your closest emergency centers.

Tetanus Points of Distribution (Hours 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

· Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Hwy 77 in Lynn Haven – First responders only

TRANSPORTATION

Bay Town Trolley has started running the following:

Routes 5, 6, 7, 8

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Every hour on the hour, except Sunday (traffic permitting)

Flag stops (asking the driver to stop) will be allowed along the route

Starting Tuesday, Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Bay Town Trolley will provide a transit route to the distribution and feeding sites on 17 ^th and 9^th Street in Lynn Haven. Additional transit route vehicles will be J Tran from Jacksonville, Florida and are grey and red. Serving every hour as time and traffic permits.

Pick up and drop off sites as follows:

Millville Area - Asian Market at College Ave and 5th Street
Springfield Area - Goodwill at Business 98 and 3rd Street
Parker Area - Parker Elementary School on Bob Little Road
Callaway Area - Grocery Outlet on Tyndall Parkway

SCHOOLS

Bay District Schools anticipate that students will be back in school no later than the week of Nov. 12 (sooner if possible).
The colors of the dress code will be temporarily waived, and Bay District Schools asks that students come dressed appropriately for school each day
Bay District Schools is collecting donations from around the country and setting up donation stations at schools. Go to Facebook @baydistrictschools for more details
Bay District Schools petitioned the state Department of Education for a waiver of many requirements (including the requirement to use FSA as a promotion requirement).
Petitioned the DOE to ensure that every senior graduates on time and that all students are promoted on time.
An email has been sent out to all school employees to check in as soon as possible.

LIBRARY INFORMATION

Jimmy Weaver memorial Library in Hosford opened on Thursday, Oct. 18. Hours will be altered a little until curfew has been lifted. Please call the library for details, 850-379-3300. Temporary hours are Mon, Tues, Thurs. 9-5 EST; Sat 9-12 EST - normal services available.
Panama City Beach Public Library will re-open with reduced hours on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Temporary hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call library for more information, 850-233-5055.
Please do not return books or other library items to any libraries that are closed. Keep them and return when the library reopens. All fines and fees for items returned late or damaged due to Hurricane Michael will be waived.
PCB Library does not have reliable internet access at this time. Please call prior to visiting to check on the current internet status at 850-233-5055. Computers, printer, copier, and the fax machine are working.

ELECTIONS

The Supervisor of Elections Office opened on Thursday, Oct 18. 830 W. 11th St.
No new mail-in ballots will be sent out.
If you already have a mail-in ballot do not put in the mail. Hand deliver to the supervisor of the election’s office.
Six mega voting sites have been set up instead on your assigned voting precinct:
Supervisor of Elections Office, 830 W. 11th St.
Lynn Haven Elementary School Cafeteria, 301 W. Ninth St.
Panama City Beach Senior Center, 423 Lyndell Lane
Palo Alto Church of Christ, 3119 N. U.S. 231
Parker United Methodist Church, 908 S. Tyndall Parkway
Stanford Station Shopping Center 746 W 23rd St.

Early voting begins Saturday, Oct. 27 for 12 hours each day through Election Day. Early voting begins Saturday, Oct. 27 for 12 hours each day through Election Day. For more information, call the Supervisor of Election’s office at 850-248-8602, 850-248-8603, or 850-248-8604 or visit www.bayvotes.org.

COURT SERVICES

Courts are closed through Friday, Oct. 26. First appearances are being conducted at the jail, as they are federally mandated.

WATER
Bay County’s water and wastewater treatment plant and infrastructure sustained substantial damage.
Despite this, Utilities has made significant progress toward repairs, thanks to the help from DEP and FlaWARN.

Water is being restored to many of the county’s wholesale customers, including Panama City Beach, Panama City, the Airport and unincorporated Bay County. Intermittent loss will occur as crews find and repair leaks. Please be patient.
If you have any questions about when service will be restored to your city, please call the city’s utility department.
Water has been restored to many unincorporated Bay County customers in Southport and northern Bay County.

WASTEWATER

All unincorporated Bay County wastewater treatment plants and lift stations are operational.
All wastewater systems are still highly vulnerable. As water services are restored, it is extremely important to limit shower time and flushing.

BOIL WATER ORDER

Parts of Bay County remain under a mandatory boil water notice, however “Boil Water Orders” have been lifted in Bay County Retail Utility Service Area, Lynn Haven Utility Service Area and Panama City Beach Utility Service Area water systems. This only applies to customers who pay their utility bill to Bay County, Lynn Haven or the City of Panama City Beach.

If this applies to you, run water at each tap for approximately five (5) minutes to flush the lines. Plumbing lines serving misters, drinking fountains and soda machines should also be flushed for five (5) minutes. Discard the first bin of ice from icemakers. For more detailed guidelines visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/drinking-water/_documents/2018-hurricane-letter-food-bulletin-bwn-guidelines.pdf

For Residents Still Under the Boil Water Order

If you have utility power or generator power, bring the water to a rolling boil for at least three minutes
If you do not have power, use bottled water or eight drops of regular, unscented household bleach per gallon of water to prepare it for cooking use.
For drinking, cooking, washing wounds, and brushing teeth, use bottled water or boiled water. Water should be held to a rolling boil for one minute.

County Offices

To all BOCC employees who have not reported to your supervisors, please do so as soon as possible in order to see if you are needed at work. You should contact your supervisor prior to Friday morning in case plans to report to work have changed.
Employees should expect to receive disaster work assignments based on needs and skills.
County office re-openings will be announced as they occur.

CITY INFORMATION

City of Mexico Beach

The City of Mexico Beach, initiated a series of enhanced checkpoints limiting traffic into Mexico Beach at 6 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 23.

Traffic is limited at:

Eastbound base of the DuPont Bridge on U.S. 98 in Parker
The western city limit of Mexico Beach on U.S. 98 in Bay County
The eastern city limit of Mexico Beach on U.S. 98 at the Gulf County line
County 386 in the area of 15th Street; north of the City of Mexico Beach.

At the DuPont Bridge, traffic local to Tyndall Air Force Base will be directed to the right lane. Vehicles en route to Mexico Beach are directed to the left lane and must be properly authorized.

Access to Mexico Beach will be limited to credentialed residents; property owners and property management companies; insurance adjusters; debris haulers and city contractors; approved volunteer teams and charities; and federal, state, and local recovery officials.

Drivers to and from Gulf County should take State 22 to State 71 South into Gulf County.

Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018 Mexico Beach will implement a strict credential system to control the number and types of vehicles and people in Mexico Beach. The City will only be open to the following:

· Residents, Property Owners and Property Management Companies: You must have evidence of property ownership or residency (driver’s license, deed, utility bill, etc.) to get your credentials. The City will provide you with a pass for your vehicle and a wristband that should be worn while in Mexico Beach. If you are already in the city, you can get a wristband and vehicle permit at City Hall beginning Tuesday, Oct. 23 in the afternoon.

Insurance Adjusters: Insurance adjusters must have a copy of their state-issued license, evidence of the company they work for and the specific appointment they are going to. Insurance adjusters will be given a single day pass.
Debris haulers who are part of the team contracted through the City of Mexico Beach: No other debris haulers will be credentialed or admitted. Credentials will be provided to the main contractor.
Credentialed volunteer teams and charities who have been approved to be in Mexico Beach: Credentials will be provided by the Volunteer Coordinator.
Federal, state and local credentialed recovery officials: You will need to show evidence of your credentials but you will not need a specific Mexico Beach credential.

Anyone other than those in these approved groups WILL BE TURNED AWAY at the checkpoints. To facilitate rapid restoration, the entrance to Mexico Beach at Highway 98 and CR 386 checkpoint will only be accessible for Duke Energy and city-contracted debris haulers at this time. We will be closely monitoring the traffic and access, and as soon as we feel it is safe to allow additional access, we will open it up.

No power, water or sewer service available at this time.

Feeding/Supply Locations

Camp Happy Tummies, 111 22^nd St. (next to City Hall); Hours: Breakfast 8:30 a.m.; dinner at 4 p.m.
World Central Kitchen, 1011 CR 386, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hot meals to public, volunteers and first responders;
Mexico Beach Strong, Love in the Storm, 36^th Street & Hwy 98; Hours 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Hot meals, water, snacks, non-perishables, bug spray, charcoal, batteries, hard hats, gloves, canned goods, tarps, dog food.
FEMA Point of Distribution (POD) at 1011 CR 386 (Bubba Harmon’s property) - Ice, water, cleaning supplies, light construction supplies, tarp, hygiene products.

City of Lynn Haven

Official information site is https://www.facebook.com/cityoflynnhaven/ .
Most of Lynn Haven are back on water. Boil Water messaging ongoing.
Household garbage pickup resumed on Tuesday, Oct.16
#LynnHavenTogetherStrong
Critical needs include tarps and chainsaws. Donations can be dropped off at the Southerland Event Center, located at 1112 Ohio Ave.

Supply and Donation Sites

Water, food and basic supplies are being distributed and donations can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 5 pm:

Behind City Hall
Tyndall Federal Credit Union across from McDonalds -1601 FL 71

Debris Management

29 trucks are running and 286 loads of debris have been picked up
Chipping operations started on Saturday 10/20

Sewer Restoration

Generators have been delivered to lift stations so that sewer service can be restored

City of Panama City

The City of Panama City’s Community Development Department asks that, for anyone returning to town in need of housing, please visit www.floridahousingsearch.com , and search by city, county or zip code. For some Hurricane Michael victims, up to $5,000 in funds are available to assist with relocation, roof tarps, roof replacement, electrical issues, insurance deductibles and deposits for rentals. Community Development has requested FEMA trailers for lodging for displaced Bay County residents.

Water

Most City of Panama City customers have running water, but the pressure may be low. **When your water is restored, DO NOT DRINK IT! There is a Boil Water Notice in effect for everyone living in Bay County
The City of Panama City has restored water to all water meters on commercial and residential properties within city limits following Hurricane Michael, but an estimated 500 customers do not have running water in their home or business because of water leaks on their properties.
Since Utilities crews began restoring water on Oct. 16, 2018, they have turned off water meters as they noticed a leak or were notified of a leak on private property.
If your neighbor has water and you do not, the water valve on your property may have been turned off and/or there may be a leak in the lines supplying water to your home or business. Our crews are turning water meters off when they notice or are notified of a leak on private property. If the leak is between a home/office and the water meter then it is the property owner's responsibility to make repairs. The city repairs leaks located within the right-of-way.

Plumbing or Sewer Systems

To report water or sewer leaks, call our Utilities Department at 850-872-3191. This phone line is to report water leaks ONLY. A high call volume will slow down the process of getting the information to our crews repairing leaks.
The sewer system is operational, BUT customers are urged to LIMIT THE SEWAGE they flush or send down the drain. Strain on the sewer system could result in sewer back-ups.
Property owners own and are responsible for the plumbing located between the home or business and the water meter. The city encourages owners in need of plumbing repairs to hire a licensed plumber.
Once repairs are made, it is permissible for owners and plumbers to turn on water meters. Owners can also call the Utilities Department at 850-872-3191 for assistance with turning on water meters.
The city has not placed locks on any water meter since Oct. 5, 2018.
Customers who need assistance with billing can visit the A.D. Harris Learning Village located at 819 E. 11th St.

Power

Gulf Power estimates power restoration to 95 percent of the remainder of customers who can receive power by Wednesday, Oct. 24.
If your meter box and electrical box WERE NOT damaged, Gulf Power will connect to it. If the equipment is damaged, a licensed electrician will need to make the necessary repairs and EP Consultants, Inc EPCI will need to complete an inspection. EPCI can be reached at 850-774-5093. The fee will be waived. Notify Gulf Power at 1-888-225-5797 when your home is able to receive power.
Contractors will begin picking up debris this weekend. Sort your debris into four piles: household items, yard debris, construction items and appliances. All piles should be constructed along the right-of-way but out of the road and not blocking fire hydrants, water meters or mailboxes.
The city is collecting residential and commercial garbage but NOT following the normal collection schedule. Garbage will be collected in Millville on Monday Oct 22 and in the Cove on Tuesday, Oct. 23 or Wednesday Oct 24. Garbage will be collected 7 days a week for the next two weeks, or until a normal schedule is appropriate.
All Panama City customers should place their blue cans and bagged garbage by the roadway daily. DO NOT put construction debris in your blue bins.
If your blue can is missing or damaged, please call 850-872-3172 (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to request a new one.

Comfort Stations

Comfort Stations continue to be set up throughout the City of Panama City. Once fully operational, each location will have food, water, ice, an air-conditioned tent, nice restrooms and showers.

A Facebook page called "Panama City Comfort Stations" has also been created to provide the community with updates on resources. Link: https://www.facebook.com/panamacitycomfortstations/

Locations:

Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center