Columbia County officials provide information about Helene's recovery efforts, free food and laundry services

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — Columbia County officials held a meeting at the Emergency Operations Center on Sunday to discuss recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene.

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Officials told News4JAX after the meeting that the Red Cross will be giving away hot meals at four locations starting Monday:

• Deep Creek Community Center

• Richardson Community Center

• Fort White Community Center

• Winfield Community Center

However, after looking at the district's Facebook page, another location was also listed.

People at the Winfield Community Center said they were thrilled the Red Cross was distributing food.

Residents who also attend the Winfield Community Center have the opportunity to shower, do laundry and use restrooms.

It is one of the few places in the city offering these services post-hurricane.

Clarence Jett and others without electricity took advantage of the free laundry facility in Winfield.

He said he didn't have clean work clothes before going to this laundry, but thanks to the laundry he could go to work tomorrow.

Maenell Bailey said it felt great that she could take a hot shower while the power was out.

“I should be able to sleep well at night,” Bailey said.

During the meeting on Sunday afternoon at the EOC, the electric companies also provided information about current power outages in the region.

Clay Electric said they are confident 98% of their customers will have power by Tuesday.

This excludes the Three Rivers area. They estimate that 98% of residents in this area should have power restored by Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.

FPL hopes to restore power to 95% of its area customers by the end of the day Monday.

According to Suwannee Valley Electric, 50% of customers have electricity. There is no exact time when all power should be restored to their customers, but they estimated it would be a similar timeline to Clay Electric.

Duke Energy said 95% of its customers will be restored by midnight tonight.

A state rapid assessment team was in the area Sunday and a local team will be in the area Monday.

The emergency management chief said it was an important step in recovery efforts.

“Hopefully we can get a PA declaration and also an IA declaration and then get to be included in that FEMA declaration so that residents can then ask for reimbursements for Hurricane Helene,” Shayne Morgan said.

Morgan said it was important that any damage in the area be reported. You can do this by calling the hotline at 386-719-7530.