COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. – Columbia County residents were able to get ice, water and food from the Winfield Community Center in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby.
Winfield is just one of two locations where people can get supplies to recover from the storm.
The other location is the Fort White Community Center.
James Wilson visited one of the ice stations setup by the county. His power was turned back on 20 minutes before driving over.
“I’m doing pretty good,” Wilson said. “Just thanking the Lord for noby to get hurt and nothing like that and we’ve just been holding on.”
Justin Brown said he found out about the ice stations on Facebook.
“Cooking has been pretty rough on everybody,” Brown said. “Propane sold out pretty quick around here, the places that did have propane, and we had one generator that wouldn’t keep up the refrigerators and all. So we lost most perishables.”
Brown said he is grateful because its hard to recoup groceries right after a storm.
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John Wheeler, a volunteer from the Rotary Club of Lake City said word was getting out slowly but surely that supplies could be picked up there.
“We’ve seen a good number, I would say somewhere in the number of 50 range, but we have a whole 18 wheeler full of ice that we need to get out to the community,” Wheeler said.
Even with the power back on for some people, the supplies are still helpful as the rest of the county is waiting to get their power back on too.
“It means a lot because everything else down, the power off in White Spring, we went to try to get a few items from the dollar store, its down, power off, so [we] couldn’t get anything today,” Wheeler said.
He said it makes him feel good to be able to help people in need.
“It warms your hear whenever you can help somebody, and when they’re genuinely hungry, genuinely thirsty and they need something cool to drink, you know you’ve blessed them, and that’s a good thing,” Wheeler said.
He encourages people to look out for their neighbors as storm recovery continues.
“If you know somebody that is in need, an older person, go and check on them sand see if they can, need some help, and come get some ice, come get some food for them,” Wheeler said.
The Winfield Community Center and Deep Creek Community Center are currently open as shelters.
“So if folks with breathing equpment, they need steady power, they can come here at any time,” Wheeler said. “We’re going to be open all night for that role and all day tommorow, and probably the next day.”
They plan to give out supplices again Wednesday morning and throughout the day. Columbia County’s Facebook page will have updates and call 386-719-7530 for any non-emergency needs.