One week ago, Hurricane Michael swept through the Florida Panhandle, a long strip of land
in northwestern Florida, directly north from the Gulf of Mexico. Rising to a Category 4 Storm,
Michael devastated the Panhandle by destroying homes, businesses, and tourist attractions
along the coast. While buildings can be rebuilt, another tragedy is faced by these communities:
more than 1,000 people are still missing, lost during the chaos of the hurricane.
in northwestern Florida, directly north from the Gulf of Mexico. Rising to a Category 4 Storm,
Michael devastated the Panhandle by destroying homes, businesses, and tourist attractions
along the coast. While buildings can be rebuilt, another tragedy is faced by these communities:
more than 1,000 people are still missing, lost during the chaos of the hurricane.
The above image displays the destruction and flooding that Hurricane Michael has inflicted on a Florida community.
Matthew Marchetti, founder of the CrowdSource rescue program, who is currently in Florida
assisting with rescue and reconstruction, claims that many of the people who have been filed as
missing resided in Panama City. Additionally, a high fraction of those missing are elderly,
disabled, impoverished, or lived alone. Another reason that the missing person count is so high
is the lack of technological communication. According to CrowdSource, extensive power and
phone outages may have resulted in a number of missing persons reports. Both Florida
authorities and volunteers are attempting to bring back communications to the Panhandle, to
hopefully reunite friends, neighbors and families who lost contact during the scary hours before
and after the storm hit. Many family members still have not heard word from relatives who
remained in Florida during the hurricane. Even as efforts continue, thousands in these areas
may not gain electricity for weeks to come, leaving the burning question: will the lost be found?
assisting with rescue and reconstruction, claims that many of the people who have been filed as
missing resided in Panama City. Additionally, a high fraction of those missing are elderly,
disabled, impoverished, or lived alone. Another reason that the missing person count is so high
is the lack of technological communication. According to CrowdSource, extensive power and
phone outages may have resulted in a number of missing persons reports. Both Florida
authorities and volunteers are attempting to bring back communications to the Panhandle, to
hopefully reunite friends, neighbors and families who lost contact during the scary hours before
and after the storm hit. Many family members still have not heard word from relatives who
remained in Florida during the hurricane. Even as efforts continue, thousands in these areas
may not gain electricity for weeks to come, leaving the burning question: will the lost be found?
Source:
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/17/more-than-a-thousand-remain-missing-a-week-after-hurricane-michael.html
What a sad and scary situation.
ReplyDeleteSuch a horrific situation.
ReplyDeleteI hope they're able to find all the missing people quickly.
ReplyDeleteSo scary to think about the people that have gone missing and if they are going to be found soon.
ReplyDeleteThat last sentence gave me goose bumps! I hope these people have gotten help by now.
ReplyDelete