County closes two distribution points as power restored

Ice trucks replenished, MREs, bottled water, showers available

  • A visitor to the Fort White Community Center on Sunday grabs a bag of ice off the back of a semi truck that was supplying ice to those without power after Hurricane Helene. (STASI WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)
    A visitor to the Fort White Community Center on Sunday grabs a bag of ice off the back of a semi truck that was supplying ice to those without power after Hurricane Helene. (STASI WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

    Columbia County’s emergency operations response to Hurricane Helene will be scaled back on Tuesday as two of the assistance locations will be closed and supplies will be diverted to other locations in the county where they are needed, officials said Monday evening.
    At 9 p.m. Monday, emergency distribution points at Winfield Community Center and Lulu Community Center closed and the items left over were transferred to other points where needed in the county, according to Columbia County Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby.
    “We are reducing the number of locations where items are being distributed and we’re doing this because we are following the path where power is being restored,” Kirby said.
    There are still several distribution points in the county for emergency supplies: Southside Sports Complex in Lake City; Mason City Community Center; Fort White Community Center; and Deep Creek Community Center.
    The locations are open from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. and provide shower facilities as well as food and water.
    MREs, bottled water and ice will continue to be available at all of the locations on Tuesday. The Florida National Guard will continue to be at the locations passing out the items as residents visit the locations. Columbia County Sheriff’s Deputies provide security at the locations 24 hours a day.
    As it did Monday, each location will have its own freezer semi truckload of ice available all day on Tuesday. Kirby said CDT Trucking was bringing truckloads of ice from Orlando to each of the locations and would be there with full trailers Tuesday morning.
    “The showers are working and things are running as smoothly as they can,” Kirby said. “We have the supplies and we’re passing them out as long as we have them, then we’re bringing in more. I want to thank the crews for their support and the public for their patience with us.”