By GARETT VALCOURT
Holmes County Emergency Management is coordinating with state and local agencies as recovery efforts ramp up following recent severe weather.
On Sunday afternoon, Emergency Management Director Barry Lee confirmed receipt of an executive order from Governor Ron DeSantis, officially activating the Florida State Guard. Personnel and equipment from the Guard are being deployed to assist in storm recovery operations across the county.
Beginning Monday morning, Holmes County Sheriff’s Office work crews will assist residents with debris removal, while the Holmes County Road Department focuses on clearing affected roadways.
In preparation for cleanup, residents are asked to sort storm debris into two distinct piles:
- Vegetative Debris: Includes limbs, brush, trees, and stumps.
- Construction or Storm-Related Debris: Includes roofing shingles, metal, wood, siding, and similar materials.
To facilitate collection, officials request that debris be placed as close to the right-of-way as safely possible—without blocking roads or driveways.
On Sunday, Holmes County Sheriff John Tate and State Representative Shane Abbott surveyed storm-damaged areas to assess the extent of the impact firsthand.
Officials will continue to provide updates as cleanup and recovery progress. For ongoing information, residents should monitor official Holmes County Emergency Management channels.
