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Century Faces Short Term Problem With Long Term Tornado Recovery
March 22, 2016
Nonprofit groups are preparing to help Century with long term tornado recovery efforts, but before those groups can work to repair housing in Century, the short term volunteers need a place to stay.
Greg Strader, director of BRACE (Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies), updated the Century Town Council on long term recovery efforts during their Monday night meeting.
“Recovery is a very competitive business, Strader told the council. “These volunteer groups are wanted across the county.”
Several regional and national groups, most affiliated with major religions, have expressed interest in helping rebuild houses in Century…where an estimated three-quarters of residents did not have insurance when an EF-3 tornado damaged or destroyed over 100 homes on February 15.
Those groups need a place for volunteers to spend the night, eat and shower, Strader said, with specific requirements varying by group.
Strader said the National Relief Network plans to send a team of college students from Eastern Kentucky University to help with recovery efforts in Century May 15-20. The team specializes in demolishing damaged homes while reclaiming as many building materials as practical. They can also assist with roof repairs, hanging drywall and other tasks.
The students will need a place to stay, and Mayor Freddie McCall said a dormitory style setup will be available to them at the Century Business Center. But they will also need a shower trailer, which has so far not been located by the town or BRACE.
Other volunteer groups have different housing requirements. Once, the mayor said, would consider space at the Bluff Springs Campgrounds, but that would cost $26 per person per day, or over $1,000 per day to house the volunteer church group.
McCall said the town and BRACE would continue to exploring temporary housing for rehab volunteers.
Pictured: Greg Strader, director of BRACE, addresses the Century Town Council Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
10 Responses to “Century Faces Short Term Problem With Long Term Tornado Recovery”
” Bluff Springs Campgrounds, but that would cost $26 per person per day”
How can any one afford to stay there at that price? I thought camping was suppose to be a reasonably price way of vacationing or just getting away.
Just a thought, why couldn’t church fellowship halls or missionary apartments be used to help people that are volunteering? There must be a way to get the much needed help for Century.
This article restates the fact that many people affected by the tornado were uninsured with the reasons cited previously that they simply could not afford insurance. It goes on to say the town cannot afford the cost to house volunteers needed for storm recovery. Another article today states a man beat another man unconscious, was arrested, and later released on $50,000 bond, which means he had $5,000 cash available to pay a bail bondsman. Perhaps he should be asked for a donation toward storm recovery.
>Florida has a CAT Fund for things like this. . .
The “Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund” is for hurricanes.
Florida has a CAT Fund for things like this. . .
Glad to see this, these are good ideas but they will need portable restrooms and a way to wash up at or near the jobsight for safety.
Do whatever it takes its time for county support on this,help is needed now. Good things will happen im sure.
What about the Century community center…it has bath and kitchen area…people can wait until after the volunteers have left to use building….Century should be able to provide without a fee since they will be providing
much needed help…we have to show an effort in order to receive the help for the people effected by the tornado.
This is a case of; It”s time for Escambia County to step up. Lake Stone is close, has showers, the meeting room could be used as a dorm. Where is County Commissioner Barry in this?
Maybe something could be worked out at Lake Stone with the County.
Shower facilities included.
How about that Christian campground on Hwy 4? Or Lake Stone campground? Perhaps camping could be allowed at Turtle Point? (Don’t know what kind of facilities are available there). Maybe a deal could be worked out for a group rate?
Just tossing some ideas out there.