In 3rd visit in 4 days, Gov. DeSantis says money on way to help displaced families of Florida Panhandle wildfires

SOUTHPORT — In his third trip to Bay County in just four days, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that it is clear the area is no stranger to disasters.

In a press conference Tuesday afternoon at the Bay County Emergency Operations Center, DeSantis announced three programs to help those in Bay, Gulf and Calhoun counties who were impacted by the ongoing wildfires of what the Florida Fire Service refers to as the "Chipola Complex."

The programs include a $6.1 million grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to help residents who were displaced or had their homes damaged, a business damage assessment survey for impacted businesses to apply for additional state or federal funds and a family resource center at the Bay County Fairgrounds for displaced families.

"This whole area has been through a lot over the past three years, starting with Hurricane Michael," DeSantis said. "We need to make sure (residents) are able to take care of themselves as they take care of others."

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According DEO Secretary Dan Eagle, the $6.1 million grant can be used by qualifying residents to pay for temporary housing, transportation, debris removal and day care.

He also noted that the business damage assessment survey can be found by visiting floridadisaster.biz.

"(DeSantis) has asked every single one of his state agencies to dig in and see what we can do to assess and help the situation," Eagle said.

Shevaun Harris, secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families, said her group has sent "care navigators and other department professionals" to provide one-on-one support to those who visit the family resource center.

"The families who have been displaced by the fires are going through something that most of us can't even imagine," Harris said. "An event like this can be so taxing, not only financially, but emotionally."

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What is the status of Adkins Avenue, Bertha Swamp Road and Star Avenue fires?

As of Wednesday morning, the Adkins Avenue Fire was about 875 acres and 80% contained, the Star Avenue Fire was 197 acres and 80% contained and the Bertha Swamp Road Fire — which doubled in size from Monday afternoon to Tuesday morning alone — was more than 33,000 acres and only 10% contained.

All evacuations for the Adkins Avenue, Star Avenue and Bertha Swamp Road fires have been lifted.

DeSantis said that in addition to keeping a close eye on the ongoing wildfires, and any additional evacuations they might cause, residents also should pay attention to weather forecasts for the rest of the week.

"While we are anticipating some rain (this week) that may help with these fires, there's also a threat of severe weather, which could include lightning and tornadoes," he said. "These fires are moving very quickly. ... Nobody wants to tell somebody to leave their home. It's a major inconvenience ... but if (officials are advising evacuations), that's because they fear a risk of injury, property damage or death."

Early Wednesday morning, a tornado touched down in Callaway, causing damage to a nearby mobile home park and Sheriff's Office substation.

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DeSantis also said Tuesday that even though the fires have burned through thousands of acres, creating a chaotic environment in their wakes, it is an accomplishment that only two homes in Bay County were confirmed destroyed at the time of the press conference. About a dozen more were damaged.

"The conditions over the last three days have been ideal for the (fires) moving and spreading," he said. "The winds picked up. There's not a lot of humidity in the air. So, it's been a difficult situation, yet ... there are way, way more properties that have been threatened over the last three days.

"... If you would have said last week that this fire would have been this big, we would have all predicted much, much more in the way of destruction."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City FL wildfires: Ron DeSantis announces money to help victims