MEDIA RELEASE

Gulf County, FL (October 16, 2018) For medical needs, go to Sacred Heart Hospital or the
Wewahitchka Health Department. We have ambulance strike teams and medical strike teams to assist
you.

Citizen Information Line is now activated. The number is 805-536-4432 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Please
note the area code is 805. This is a California number, but calls are received and responded to here
in Gulf County. Please read the most recent updates in full and check this Facebook page and the
Gulf County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page prior to calling.

Dr. Michael Barnes Office in Wewahitchka will be open on 10/16/18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Only
established patients will be seen (walk-ins only). The office will be fully operational and patients will
be billed later.

Monetary donations to reputable charities are highly recommended as the immediate food, ice and
water needs of the community are being met. Donations needs are as follows: diapers, baby wipes,
baby formula (dairy and non-dairy), feminine products, personal hygiene products, cleaning supplies,
charcoal, proteins such as canned meat, beef jerky, peanut butter, and pet food.

Donation drop off locations are: The Old Wewa Gym at 825 South Highway 71, Wewahitchka and 300
Allen Memorial Way, Port St. Joe. Operating hours are 8 a.m. to 12 noon for pickup and 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. for deliveries.

Notice from the Gulf District School Superintendent Jim Norton: Gulf District Schools is tentatively
planning to reopen schools in approximately two weeks. However, this is contingent upon several
factors and may require a somewhat non-traditional educational model. Our school facilities were
fortunate to sustain much less damage than many other areas, but repairs are needed to ensure
student and staff safety. Elementary schools sustained less damage than the high schools. If these
schools are inspected and deemed structurally sound, it may be possible to open one at each end of
the county and have two half-day sessions at each; a half- day for elementary students and a half-day
for high school students at each end This would require a great deal of planning and there would be
many details to iron out: transportation, food service, displaced students/ staff, extracurricular, etc. It
would be a step toward achieving much-needed normalcy. The school board will hold an emergency
meeting tomorrow morning and principals and district staff will meet afterward to strategize. We
understand the frustration that comes with things being unsettled and that these frustrations are
compounded by tenuous communication, but ask that you be patient and “stay tuned” as we work
toward our goal of reopening schools and restoring them to pre-hurricane status. This is a process
and one that takes time and planning. Thank you for your patience. Look for another update soon.

Media Release 6 10/16/18

The Gulf County Building Department is beginning to conduct Damage Assessments throughout the
county. To assist with this process, the Building Department asks anyone returning to their residence,
mark their address somewhere on the property. This can be done by spray painting the address on
a structure that is still standing on the property or putting the information on the street in front of the
property. Magic markers or other marking devices will also work.
The only road closed at this time is SR- C30E (Cape Sand Blas Road) – from Stump Pole North.

Mobile Distribution Sites for food and water. NOTE these are mobile and may change, but are
available currently for residents who cannot get to the Points of Distribution Sites at Wewa High
School or Port St. Joe Elementary School

1. St Joe Beach Volunteer Fire Dept. 7912 Alabama Ave

2. White City Volunteer Fire Dept. 6987 FL-71
3. Overstreet Volunteer Fire Dept. 314 Firehouse Rd
4. Dalkeith Volunteer Fire Dept. 2731 Co RD 381, Wewa
5. Creek Stop and Deli 3050 FL-71, Wewa
6. Gulf County Fire Station #1. 404 Williams Ave, Port St. Joe
7. Highland View Volunteer Fire Dept. 133 Park, Port St. Joe

Centennial Bank’s Port St. Joe Branch located at 202 Marina Dr, Port St. Joe, FL. Will have Drive
Thru Lane 1 open Tuesday, 10/16/18 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET. Centennial Bank.

FUMC Care Closet will be open Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this week. ALL items are
FREE. 510 East 4th St, Port St. Joe.

The VA’s Marianna Clinic located at 4970 US 90 Marianna will begin temporary operations on
Tuesday, October 16, 2018 for Veterans needing medical care or mental health services. Hours of
operation are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.

Note the following safety tips; Listen to authorities for information and instructions, be careful during
clean-up, wear protective clothing and work with someone else, be safe in the use of ladders and be
cautious for nails and glass laying around,, do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are
standing in water, if it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box to prevent
shock, document any property damage with photographs. Contact your insurance company for
assistance.

Please utilize FEMA as a resource at www.disasterassistance.gov or 800-621-3362.

Follow health safety tips at Florida Department of Health (DOH) Facebook page. (Generator safety,
food and water safety, etc.)

If you are able tune into 92.5 WPAP for information as well as Channel 7 WJHG.

####

Steve Litschauer
Public Information Officer
805-536-4437
steve.litschauer@mymanatee.org

Media Release 6 10/16/18