We were there to help.. but more is needed

BAY COUNTY, Fla. – It’s been 7 weeks since Hurricane Michael hit the Panhandle, and the area still needs help.

Although we’ve dropped out of the eye of the national media, lawmakers are still fighting for hurricane victims up in Washington.

“Every time I drive down the street to my house, I see new damage that I didn’t know was there before,” said Rep. Neal Dunn, (R) Panama City. Congressman Neal Dunn knows firsthand the devastation to the Panhandle. Although we’ve made progress, new damage continues to emerge everyday.

Dunn said he’s fighting for the Panhandle in Washington and that relief is on the way. “We think were going to get a disaster relief package out of the house next week,” said Dunn.

Senator Marco Rubio, also backing Northwest Florida and says funding for communities in the panhandle is a top priority.

“We need a disaster supplemental before the end of the year to help our communities in Northwest Florida that have been deeply impacted. We’re working on that with the state now to make sure we have the right programs and the right money. It’s one of our top priorities here to end the year, and hopefully we’ll get something done before the end of the calendar year,” said Rubio.

The disaster relief supplement will most likely be bundled, helping victims in areas impacted by Florence, Michael and even the California wildfires.

Dunn said having the disasters grouped together will help it pass, but also the timeliness of the bill. “It’s the timing. You want to get it to these people now more than ever because these people need help. They’re laying on their backs, they’re really, really badly hurt,” said Dunn.

As far as how much money, that’s yet to be discussed…but Dunn said any aid to the Panhandle is appreciated.