FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 2, 2005
CONTACT: ESF 14, (850) 921-0384
Florida Home Repair Retailers Reopening
as Power Restoration
Efforts Continue Statewide
TALLAHASSEE – With power restoration efforts well
underway following Hurricane Wilma, Florida retailers are
reopening their doors in impacted counties throughout the
state. Just nine days following landfall, most major home
repair stores are open to serve customers in South Florida.
Home Depot reported that all of their retail outlets are
open for home repair and household supplies in the disaster
area.
“Power and open businesses are leading indicators of
recovery following a major hurricane,” said Governor Jeb
Bush. “Recovery is a long process but we are seeing
improvements with every passing hour. Relief workers, power
crews and emergency managers are working around the clock to
help communities in South Florida recover and return to
normal."
Since Hurricane Wilma made landfall in South Florida on
October 24, close to 2.85 million customers have power
restored. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
continues to coordinate with utility companies as they bring
power back online to South Florida homes and businesses.
Currently nearly 18,000 Florida Power and Light personnel
from 33 states are working around the clock to continue
restoring power.
Restored power is also easing lines at retail gas
stations. Working closely with members of the petroleum
industry, DEP today reported that more than 222 million
gallons of fuel was at Florida’s ports for distribution
throughout the state. Fuel is being replenished based on
regional priorities, with deliveries made first to emergency
crews and first responders. Supplies are also being
replenished at retail gas stations with available power
along major transportation corridors and in metro areas for
residents and to support evacuees returning to areas
affected by the storm.
As major community retailers reopen and restock their
shelves with tarps, supplies and groceries, Wilma Command is
supporting more than 30 emergency Points of Distribution (PODs)
sites with personnel and resources in affected counties.
State and federal supplies continue to flow through the
distribution pipeline to support local emergency response
efforts. To date, 56 trucks of tarps have been shipped to
impacted communities throughout South Florida.
As resources flow to the impacted areas, Floridians are
urged to visit open home repair stores, retail grocery
stores and convenience stores whenever possible. Neighbors
can help neighbors by reserving emergency state and federal
resources for Florida’s most impacted and vulnerable
residents. Patronizing local businesses also injects dollars
into the local economy, accelerating recovery in the
communities impacted by a major disaster.
For information regarding open Florida retailers selling
home repair supplies, groceries and gasoline, please visit
www.floridadisaster.org.
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