Three tornadoes impacted Leon County on Friday, two of which were EF-2 tornadoes, causing extensive damage in South Georgia and the Big Bend. The storms destroyed houses and campuses.
A 47-year-old woman was killed when a tree crashed into her Tallahassee home at the height of the storms, and more than 200,000 people in North Florida were left without power.
Tallahassee is the state’s capital.
In addition to the possibility of storms on Monday, the area is expected to see another round of storms with tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, hail, and more. Leon is one of many North Florida counties under a flood watch that is in effect until Tuesday night. Predictions indicate that the area might get 2 to 5 inches of rain. Emergency disaster assistance awards of up to $10,000 will soon be available to more than 45,000 residents and business owners in unincorporated regions of Leon County.
Using $1 million from the county’s Catastrophe Fund, the County Commission authorized the formation of the grant program with a 6-1 vote, as urged by Commissioner Christian Caban.
Anyone, including business owners, may participate in the initiative. Commissioner David O’Keefe, who had submitted a letter describing the idea only hours before Tuesday’s board meeting, was the only one who disapproved of Caban’s strategy.
After three tornadoes and heavy rains slammed the capital area on Friday, residents are attempting to recover. In response to the calamities, funds will become available.
County Administrator Vince Long stated that the funds would be diverted to bridge the gap between federal and state assistance and to get (funds) to people in need as quickly as possible. This means that businesses will be able to have their uninsured costs covered, and individuals will be able to receive assistance with food, medication, temporary housing, and other emergency needs.
