FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 11, 2014
DEP JOINS VOLUNTEER FLORIDA TO ASSIST WITH PANHANDLE FLOOD RECOVERY
EFFORTS
~Florida State Parks
provides campsites to volunteers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties~
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, in
partnership with Volunteer Florida, is supporting those impacted by the spring
floods in Florida’s panhandle counties. From April 28 to May 6, a severe
weather system brought torrential rains to the Northern Florida Gulf Coast.
Governor Scott declared a State of Emergency for 26 Florida counties on April
30 and individual assistance was granted for both Escambia and Santa Rosa
counties on May 6.
To help assist with the recovery efforts, the department has
offered complimentary campsites at Big Lagoon State Park, Blackwater River
State Park and Fred Gannon Rocky
Bayou State Park. The campsites will be utilized by Volunteer Florida volunteers
as they rebuild and repair homes affected by the flood in Escambia and Santa
Rosa counties.
“We are happy to contribute and help Escambia and Santa Rosa
residents recover from the devastating floods this spring,” Florida Park
Service Director Donald Forgione said. “Last year, more than 30,000 volunteers donated more than 1.3 million hours
of their time to help with Florida State Parks operations. Just as we support
and rely upon volunteers at our parks, we understand how the flood victims
appreciate Volunteer Florida volunteers helping rebuild their homes. We are
proud to assist with these campsites.”
“We are grateful for the support of our partners at the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection,” said Chester W. Spellman, CEO
of Volunteer Florida. “Volunteer Florida is committed to helping
Floridians in the Panhandle with long-term recovery from the flooding, and this
is a wonderful way to assist those who are serving the survivors.”
For more information regarding the 2014 spring flood, click here.
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