Telegraph Editor
STARKE — Sheriff Gordon Smith summarized local response in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia in addition to efforts to assist elsewhere.
County commissioners expressed gratitude more than once that Bradford County was spared significant damage unlike other counties, including Dixie, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor counties.
Bradford County Sheriff’s Office employees responded to a call for assistance from Lafayette County Sheriff Brian Lamb. Split into three separate saw teams, they helped clear major roadways north, east and west of Mayo from the time they arrived into the evening hours until their mission was complete.
“We are very proud of this group and would also like to thank all of our other employees who worked behind the scenes to cover Bradford County during the Hurricane Idalia event,” the office posted on Facebook.
The office also assisted in Hamilton County, including helping to get a replacement generator to their shelter.
Smith expressed gratitude to his employees as well as Bradford County Fire Rescue and the road department for their work locally as well, including Emergency Management Director Brad Witt whose wife had just given birth.
The Bradford evacuation shelter — which opened at the fairgrounds for the first time — hosted around 20 people, including a couple with special health needs. They had volunteer assistance from Cross Church as well as employees of the Bradford School District.
The primary issue was the amount tree limbs down, with damage limited to a couple of houses and a mobile home. No injuries were reported.
As of Tuesday, Sampson Lake was more than a foot below flood level and Santa Fe Lake a half-foot below. Alligator Creek and Sampson River were well below flood level.
