By GARETT VALCOURT
Equipment needs identified during the May 2025 tornadoes have resulted in a $175,000 state appropriation that is now helping Holmes County respond to the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias.
Holmes County Sheriff John Tate announced that funding secured by State Rep. Shane Abbott allowed the county to purchase two new Kubota skid steers equipped with root grapples, along with additional equipment intended to strengthen the county’s disaster response and debris removal capabilities.
According to Tate, the need for county-owned equipment became apparent following the tornadoes that struck Holmes County in May 2025. During those recovery operations, emergency crews were forced to rent skid steers to assist with removing fallen trees, clearing debris and restoring access to affected areas.
Abbott visited Holmes County during the cleanup efforts and observed the challenges facing local responders.
“Man, y’all need a couple of your own skid steers. I’m going to work on that,” Abbott told county officials, according to Tate.
During the following legislative session, Abbott secured $175,000 in state appropriations to help Holmes County purchase the equipment.
The two skid steers arrived Thursday, October 8, just ahead of Hurricane Isaias, providing local crews with additional resources as the county prepared for another significant weather event.
The timing proved particularly beneficial as recovery operations began following the hurricane.
Tate said the machines have already been deployed to assist with cleanup efforts and are expected to remain valuable assets throughout the recovery process.
Equipped with root grapples, the skid steers can lift and move fallen trees, branches and other storm debris, allowing crews to clear blocked roadways and access areas affected by severe weather more efficiently.
Beyond the immediate response to Hurricane Isaias, the equipment will remain available for future emergencies, reducing the county’s dependence on rented machinery and allowing personnel to begin cleanup operations without waiting for additional equipment to become available.
Tate emphasized that having county-owned equipment ready for deployment can make a significant difference in the speed and effectiveness of disaster recovery operations.
“When you have equipment like this available and ready to go after a storm, it makes a real difference in how quickly we can get our roads cleared and our community back on its feet,” Tate said.
The sheriff also expressed appreciation for Abbott’s involvement in identifying the need and obtaining funding through the state legislative process.
“He didn’t just make a promise during a difficult time. He followed through and helped make it happen,” Tate said.
The purchase represents an investment in Holmes County’s long-term emergency preparedness, particularly in a region where hurricanes, tornadoes and severe thunderstorms can create widespread debris and obstruct critical transportation routes.
With the equipment now in service, local crews have additional resources to support roadway clearing, debris removal and other recovery operations without relying exclusively on outside assistance.
Tate said the county expects to benefit from the investment well beyond the current hurricane recovery.
“Representative Abbott took the time to listen, recognized a need, and went to work to help us address it,” Tate said. “Holmes County is benefiting from that commitment today, and we will continue to benefit from it for years to come.”
The sheriff concluded by thanking Abbott for helping the county strengthen its ability to respond to future disasters.
