The 2020 hurricane was extremely active for the states bordering the Gulf of America.
Hurricanes Laura, Sally and Zeta took aim at Louisiana, Alabama and Florida.
The 2020 hurricane season was the most active on record since 2005, but thankfully the AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team (A-DRT) is here to help!
Two teams from the Florida Conservation Corps (FLCC), an AmeriCorps program that works within Florida State Parks, were recently deployed to Pensacola to assist with recovery efforts after Hurricane Sally blew through the city. Part of A-DRT, these members volunteered their time and energy to help those in need after the storm. The teams were joined by people from other states who also helped homeowners deal with damage from the hurricane. The first team of seven FLCC members and two Parks staff members was deployed from Nov. 4 to Nov. 14, while a second team of seven was deployed between Nov. 13 and Nov. 22. A third team will return to the area in December.
The first team completed seven work orders, helping residents with emergency repairs to their homes and properties. The team used tarps to patch five roofs, and they removed 135 cubic yards of debris and four fallen trees - including one that had been deemed hazardous. The work was demanding but fulfilling, requiring long days of physical labor to achieve the team’s goals. At the end of each day, there was both exhaustion and excitement for what the next day would bring.
“The deployment was very rewarding," said Katie Wojcicki, a member of Project R.O.A.R. (Regional Outreach and Awareness Recruiters), which interprets natural cultural resources while recruiting volunteers for the parks and the program. "We were able to help out several people affected by Hurricane Sally. We spent weeks tarping roofs and removing both vegetative and non vegetative debris from their property. It was nice to know we made a positive impact on people’s lives.”
The second team completed three work orders. At one site, the team removed a huge water oak that fell, narrowly missing two homes. The job took almost four days to complete because the tree was so big. They also put a tarp on a home where the roof was damaged by a tree falling on it and crushing the rafters. The tarp is a temporary fix until the homeowner can arrange for repairs.
“What we did was hard work and long days in humid Florida,” said Carissa Stepp, a member of the A-DRT team, “but the people were always so nice and so appreciative. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had at FLCC.”
We extend our appreciation to these Florida Conservation Corps members for their dedication to service and the people of Florida. They are shining examples of the values and dedication we strive for in the Florida Park Service. We also appreciate the AmeriCorps St. Louis team for organizing all the different teams who came to help.
This article was published in the Real Florida ℠ Connection, the Florida State Parks e-newsletter. Sign-up to get updates and stories from your state parks the first week of every month.
