FRWA Disaster Relief Efforts

From the Desk of Our Executive Director...

PSA for those interested in Hurricane Helene response efforts in Florida and the entire southeast…

In the aftermath of any storm you mainly hear reports about power outages, roadway access, property damage, cell phone service..… but rarely do you hear about water and wastewater…it amazes me every single storm event just how little people value the service of water. Without water we do not survive…you can live without power, as uncomfortable as it may be… our industry fights every single day with the authorities about access to areas impacted by storms, we are denied fuel because we are not first responders in times of emergency( just passed a bill this past session stating different), can’t get any respect that what we do matters……appalling at the very least that something so precious, people value the least.

Florida Rural Water Association we appreciate you.. utilities across the state of Florida you are essential and you are the unsung heroes…getting the job done no matter what it takes…

And then Milton Strikes

The FRWA Staff were still on the ground-assisting those affected by Hurricane Helene when Hurricane Milton hit. As those affected by Helene got their power restored, we were able to begin assessing the needs of those affected by Milton.  The FlaWarn steering committee has been in full force with two meetings daily for the past week with no end in site. Our FlaWARN steering committee members go the extra mile to help systems across Florida.

This week FRWA has been busy bringing equipment out of the field in order to reroute it in the wake of Hurricane Milton. Some were still on the ground with Hurricane Helene when Milton struck the west coast of Florida. In Florida and out of state, we are busy checking on staff and calling our members to make sure of any needs.

Equipment is already stationed at City of Zephyrhills has graciously provided a staging area for easier deployment to the area with more staff and equipment headed that way. So far we have discovered that Hillsborough County was struck hard with a lot of outages. One of our Board of Directors, John Bostic III of the City of Zephryhills is providing staging facilities. Randy Wilkerson, City of Chiefland, another FRWA Board member, provided staging for Hurricane Helene and also hosted the EPA lab for the region.

Take a look at the slideshow below that illustrates the valiant efforts of FRWA staff that shows why we are FRWA strong!!!!!

The Latest Update FRWA Emergency Response Efforts

Today (10.18.24) we begin transition from response to recovery…our circuit riders are caravanning via our semis back to Cairo (warehouse) from Zephyrhills (FL (staging area) today to return the first deployment of equipment. Other equipment loaned to us by Alabama Rural Water and Mississippi Rural Water are officially headed home as well. Pray for safe travels for them! 

We still have the two FRWA trucks and the NRWA truck down at the staging yard along with the fuel trailer, camper, covered trailer and flat trailer that will haul back the smaller generators not on the semis. 

We still have equipment deployed being used at Englewood and Hillsborough Co. as of last night. Remaining down there also is one 200-kW MS generator. We have a rotation of staff today and will continue to rotate people in and out until resources return back to Cairo. It has been a very busy month of sorts for all staff and I am thankful for everyone involved with it.

Victories for utilities is what we are seeing as Gary reminds us of during events. Thank you Gary for your service to emergency response and the effort you have put into this industry to help utilities around the state of Florida.

When you hear the term "emergency response" what do you picture in your mind? Evacuation traffic backed up on interstate? People in shelters taking refuge from the storm? A convoy of utility trucks going past you on the highway?

FRWA in Emergency Response Mode Once Again

The photo above was taken last week before Milton hit. FRWA was busy coordinating with FlaWarn and other utility systems throughout the state in anticipation of the coming disaster. Alicia Keeter, FRWA Executive Director, paused for a moment to capture the essence of FlaWARN coordination. Pictured, left to right Alicia Keeter (Executive Director), Dyana Stewart (Emergency Response Circuit Rider), Ben Lewis (Circuit Rider), Mike Chase (Professional Engineer), Jason Golden (Energy Efficiency Technician), and just caught the arm of Katherine Van Zant (Professional Engineer).

Meanwhile, at the Cairo warehouse, other staff members were servicing generators as they returned from the field in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Generator are then reloaded to make their way down south again. 

After the storm passes, our staff reviews the requests for emergency equipment that comes in via Water Tracker and coordinates the equipment on hand to meet the requests and the journey to affected locations begin.

The generators are then delivered to systems to keep their water and wastewater systems operational.

Comments from the Field

The comments below are from Steve Soltau, FlaWarn/FRWA Coordinator, of his observations during this past month:

"I have something to say to everyone who has been involved with the FlaWARN process in any way, shape, or form, no matter how big, no matter how small...

Since Oct 1st, I have been in the background taking detailed notes of our daily FlaWARN meetings.

This is what I observed...

1) A hard working group of professionals supporting and lifting up each other by fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation.  

2) Each person working hard to be a beacon of hope and possibility for our fellow Floridians going through a traumatic and devastating point in their lives.  

3) Each person experienced and nurtured their own personal growth while showing genuine concern about wellbeing of the entire team.  

4) Each of us was presented with an opportunity for continuous learning and self improvement, as well as that of the team.

Hey - We Made a Difference!"

What to do before it hits you!