BCSO officials are ready to help in Hurricane Helene relief efforts

PANAMA CITY, Fla. ( WMBB ) — Bay County Sheriff’s Officials are preparing to head to Franklin County and assist in Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.

“We have a team of 20 deputies that are prepared to respond at first light tomorrow to Franklin County,” Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said.

Ford is the Chairman of the Florida Sheriff’s Task Force. He’s been working with sheriffs across the state to devise emergency responses to areas severely impacted by Helene.

“We are working those plans and have been all week to ensure that the sheriffs in these affected counties have the help that they need when the storm passes. I anticipate that to be a massive response,” Ford said.

The Bay County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team is leaving for Franklin County as soon as weather conditions allow, and they’re making sure they come prepared.

“We’re packing up all the equipment that we’ll take over there. We’ll need high water vehicles and ATVs and other equipment over there, as well as preparing those deputies to be self-sustaining for seven to ten days,” Ford said.

Ford said his heart goes out to those impacted by Helene, and Bay County is here to help in the aftermath.

“When you’ve gone through something like that together and see real unity and people looking out for each other and kind of see the best in humanity after something like this. There is a rainbow in the middle of the storm,” Ford said.

Sheriff Ford says he wants everyone to stay safe at home as well. He urges everyone who can stay off the roads and stay inside.

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