UPDATE – September 27, 2022
Hurricane Ian has now emerged into the Gulf of Mexico after striking western Cuba, where it is expected to intensify with the warmer waters. As this takes place, it will cause water surge in cities on the western side of the state in the Gulf, posing a serious danger to the Florida Peninsula. Storm surge, hurricane, and tropical storm alerts have been issued in Florida, as well as extended to Georgia and South Carolina. Tens of thousands of residents have been ordered to evacuate.
Each of the three local conferences in Florida state have ACS Disaster Response teams on stand-by awaiting the storm, which will most likely affect the Florida Keys first. Providing food and shelter are the two primary needs early in the event. In addition, there will be a need for clean-up buckets as homes of several residents will be affected by the flooding. These items are currently prepositioned throughout the area and will be used as appropriate.
Please keep those in prayer who are in the path of this storm, as well as communities in Cuba who have been affected by it.
The Florida, Gulf States, and Southeastern conferences are getting their ACS Disaster Response teams ready to respond to the need surrounding Hurricane Ian, which is headed to the Gulf coast of Florida. Currently, Ian is forecast to be a Category 3 storm and is expected to continue to intensify. Tropical Storm watches have been issued in various parts of Florida. On Saturday, President Biden issued an emergency declaration for the state of Florida. The storm surge is a major concern at this point which could create great amounts of floodwaters.
ACS leadership from the three respective conferences have been engaged in conference calls with the Florida VOAD to prepare for the potential damage Hurricane Ian will cause to communities. “I am confident that our teams are ready, and the NAD ACS will support their efforts throughout this event,” stated W. Derrick Lea, NAD ACS Executive Director.
