Santa Fe College plays role in storm recovery efforts

October 11, 2024

Santa Fe College has historically played a role in supporting our community's recovery efforts following major storms.

It was no different with Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.

Following Hurricane Helene, the Santa Fe College Police Department and college volunteers supported Alachua County Emergency Management's recovery efforts by helping provide nearly 1,500 roof tarps to people throughout the community.

With both storms, the county's ASO Chain Saw crews staged out of Santa Fe's Kirkpatrick Center. These crews prepare to deploy as soon as the storm passes to clear roadways and support efforts to restore power by removing trees and limbs.

In preparation for Hurricane Milton, the College was asked to be ready to house National Guard troops, and while that support wasn't needed this time, the College has provided it multiple times in the past, including for Hurricanes Ian, Idalia, Irma and Michael.

The college also was asked by the state to stand ready to support gasoline and diesel fuel distribution, a need that ultimately moved south.

Further, thanks to the generosity of our faculty, staff and students, the college also is able to support drives for food and supplies needed by our own community as well as those around us, including one last week to help our sister institutions Florida Gateway College and North Florida College, which were heavily affected by Hurricane Helene.

"We are committed to our role as the community's college," said Dr. Paul Broadie II, Santa Fe College President. "Just as we are there for our students, there for employers and our education partners, we are there to support our community in good times and in challenging times. It is an honor to be asked to support recovery efforts and know that in no small way we have played a role in helping our community return to normal."