In October 2018, Tropical Storm Michael emerged in the Caribbean Sea southwest of Florida. Within just 48 hours, it intensified into a formidable hurricane, charting a course straight toward Florida's panhandle.
As Michael approached, roughly 375,000 residents faced evacuation orders with minimal time to prepare. Many chose to stay, only to later regret their decision as the storm unleashed its fury.
The hurricane carved a path of devastation, claiming 74 lives and becoming the first Category 5 hurricane to make landfall in Florida since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
Jen Grice, then a special needs shelter consultant for the state, found herself at the heart of the crisis. She was tasked with relocating dozens of displaced individuals from a Tallahassee shelter to a new facility in Pasco County, nearly four hours away.
“They were distraught,” Grice recounted. “Most, if not all, had lost everything and their homes were destroyed. To tell them they had to move even farther away was terrifying for them.”
Now serving as the director of Alachua County Emergency Management, Grice reflects on the experience as a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness and staying informed.
“Events like Hurricane Michael leave so little time for action,” she said. “It underscores why we must always be ready.”
At the Alachua County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Grice and her team work tirelessly year-round to enhance the county's readiness for emergencies that threaten the area. Their responsibilities include communicating with residents on impending emergencies, assessing storm damage, and advocating for federal and state funding for local recovery efforts.
Hurricane Helene
In late September, Hurricane Helene began its menacing journey, following a scenario eerily similar to that of Hurricane Michael. Alachua County and its neighbors braced for impact, with only days to prepare as meteorologists predicted the storm would intensify to a powerful Category 4 by landfall.
In response, Alachua County Emergency Management swiftly activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The center became a 24/7 hub of activity, staffed around the clock with a coalition of county departments, first responders, the Health Department, utility providers and military personnel. Together, they monitored Helene’s every move—tracking rainfall, winds, flooding, downed trees, and power outages in real-time while communicating with residents urgent and timely information.
When Helene arrived, it brought wind speeds soaring into the upper 70s, snapping trees like twigs and downing power lines throughout the county. Hundreds of trees were uprooted, some blocking major roadways while others crashed through rooftops, creating a patchwork of destruction. The county remained on high alert under a tornado watch for much of the storm, though, fortunately, no tornadoes touched down.
“Tornadoes are probably the scariest disaster any emergency manager can experience,” said David Peaton, assistant director of Emergency Management. “They’re unpredictable, fast-moving, and give us so little time to react. Sometimes, there’s no warning at all. They truly represent one of the most unpredictable natural disasters out there with the highest potential for loss of life.”
After Helene passed, county officials immediately transitioned to the next phase of emergency operations: Damage assessment and power restoration. Tens of thousands of residents were without power, and the task of clearing roads and repairing infrastructure began.
The vital role of ham radio
In the event of power outages and communication system breakdowns, Leland Gallup and his team with Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) are a crucial lifeline. This federally licensed group operates ham radios and supports shelters and the EOC during emergencies.
Should all communication technology fail, the ham radio system allows the EOC to communicate critical information with emergency shelters and other agencies.
“We’re all volunteers, which is why we’re called amateurs, but we’re licensed by the Federal Communications Commission,” Gallup said. “Our role demonstrates how private citizens can significantly contribute to local government and public safety in times of emergencies.”
The group has about 30 volunteers countywide and is always looking for new members to train and get licensed.
Navigating the pandemic
Emergency Management’s scope extends beyond storms. The COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique and daunting challenge like no other the division had ever seen.
The EOC was activated for 27 weeks starting in March 2020. For the first time, staff had to operate virtually to ensure safety, though Emergency Management staff were stationed inside the EOC.
During the pandemic, Alachua County experienced tens of thousands of reported infections and hundreds of deaths from the virus, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.
“It was a global learning experience for every emergency manager,” Grice said. “We didn’t know much about COVID at that time, we didn’t how the public would react or the impact it would have on our economy. It was the longest activation we’ve ever had.”
Emergency Management played a critical role in releasing information about testing sites, infection rates, safety protocols and vaccinations. The department also coordinated logistics for the Florida Department of Health, distributing hundreds of thousands of supplies to hospitals and nursing homes. Fire Rescue took the unprecedented step of delivering vaccines to homebound people unable to get to a vaccination site.
“While the pandemic was disheartening in many ways,” Grice added, “it also shined a light on how all these different government entities, hospitals, educational institutions, nonprofits, the private sector and residents could come together during an unprecedented situation.”
Importance of being prepared
Every disaster brings new lessons and opportunities for improvement.
While government agencies play a crucial role in preparedness and response, residents must also take proactive steps. That goes beyond stockpiling supplies or emergency kits. It involves reviewing existing insurance policies, considering flood insurance, and safeguarding homes.
“People need to remember that their own preparedness is key,” Peaton said. “The more we all prepare, the faster we all recover.”
Residents can stay informed with real-time updates during emergencies and weather events by texting “Alachua” to 888-777 or by visiting www.alachuacountyready.com. Subscribe to receive news releases, follow Alachua County Emergency Management on Facebook and follow Alachua County's Facebook, X, Instagram and Nextdoor pages.