Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to assist Liberty County with Hurricane Helene relief

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. ( WKRG ) — As Hurricane Helene makes its way towards the Big Bend area of Florida, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will soon send crews to help relieve those counties hit hardest.

With the plan to leave Friday morning from Escambia County, Sheriff Chip Simmons’ crew is prepared to spend as many as 14 days in Liberty County, providing a range of hands-on help that may be needed.

Escambia County is sending 15 to 20 trucks with necessary supplies such as gallons of water and non-perishable foods to sustain themselves. The crews will also be sent with a kitchen apparatus, showers and beds.

Through the Florida Sheriffs Association, Simmons said there is a supported network where counties can ask for extra hands in times of severe weather devastation.

Escambia County Sheriff’s Office prepares to head to Liberty County Friday morning. (Courtesy of Escambia County Sheriff’s Office)

Hurricane Helene appears to be one of those times, and Simmons has ideas of how he thinks his crew will be of assistance.

“I think primarily the need is law enforcement, whether that is, you know, looting prevention, or whether it is standing by at intersections where there may be power lights out to try and make sure the traffic flows,” Simmons said. “It could be standing by at the food distribution sites, water distribution sites, fuel distribution sites.”

The crews heading to Liberty County are all volunteers. Simmons said they know how appreciated their extra efforts are.

“My message to [the crews] is, ‘Hey, you’ve got an opportunity to not just help our community but also to help another community during tough times,'” Simmons said.

“When [crews] come back, they talk about how much appreciation is shown for them, whether it’s from the agency or whether it’s from the citizens that live there,” he continued.

News 5 will provide updates on how Escambia County’s crews are helping as Hurricane Helene carries on.

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