July 14, 2005

Medical care, warm meals and money for emergency provisions will be available today for some victims of Hurricane Dennis in Wakulla and Franklin counties.

Food will be served beginning at noon at Live Oak Island, Mashes Sands, Shell Point, Spring Creek and St. Marks in Wakulla County and Alligator Point, Lanark Village and Carrabelle in Franklin County for people who are unable to cook in their homes.

The exact times and days of operation have not yet been set; it depends on how many volunteers the American Red Cross rounds up.

Also at the emergency aid stations, the Red Cross will provide health care to anyone injured. Nurses, dental specialists and caseworkers will be available at the stations.

Victims of Hurricane Dennis who no longer have a place to stay may be able to get money for food, clothing, personal items and possibly temporary shelter from the Red Cross if there is a substantial need. Red Cross workers will determine eligibility at their locations.

The Red Cross will not operate shelters.

Red Cross spokeswoman Roberta Maddox said there have been very few requests for shelter. "Fifty percent of the homes in the area are second homes, so the need has not materialized."

The Wakulla County Health Department also will be setting up stations in Shell Point, St. Marks and Panacea to provide free health care to anyone who has been injured.

And help from the federal government may also be on the way.

As of Tuesday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency was offering individual aid - such as money for food, clothing and other items - only to people in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Wakulla County officials have requested the same aid, Emergency Management Services Director Joe Blanchard said.

However, a preliminary damage assessment has to be done first before FEMA will start helping residents of Franklin or Wakulla counties, and FEMA won't arrive in Wakulla until Thursday, so a decision won't be made until at least Friday.

Meanwhile, those with insurance can get help now.

The Florida Insurance Council encourages people whose home or business has been damaged to call their insurance company as soon as possible.

A full list of about 200 insurance companies is available on the council's Web site, www.flains.org.

Executive Vice President Sam Miller said most insurance companies offer money for living expenses if the home is uninhabitable because of wind damage, however, emergency money is not usually available for those whose homes were damaged by flooding.

Also, anything a homeowner can safely do to the home that will minimize harm can be reimbursed by the insurance company, so keep the receipts, Miller said. And while cleaning up, take an inventory of the damage.