Sheriff`s Corner

Hello everyone and welcome to this week's Sheriff's Corner. This past week was a very tough week for most. The threat of two storms coming at you is very scary. When one of the storms turns into or develops into a major hurricane, it can be terrifying.

Such was the case this past week. While Bonnie did exactly what she was predicted to do and did not hit us. Charley was another case. For many hours Charley was predicted to either skirt our eastern border or actually come directly through our county. This caused all of our emergency officials and professionals to work at a fevered pace to make sure we would be as safe as possible. We all know that if we are hit by a Category 4 sized storm, incredible damage is caused. The potential for loss of life is also much greater.

Well, we were spared once again. Many people down south in Charlotte, Lee and other counties were not as lucky. In response, our Emergency Management director Mark Johnson along with Leatha Keene, the Emergency Management Coordinator will go to Lee County and stand in for the Lee County director until Saturday. The thought of how our counties emergency management and services would be affected by a disaster such as Charley was discussed and planned for as Charley was approaching. Those folks down south didn't have much warning when Charley took his last wobble and slammed into the coast.

I'm writing this Corner to say thanks to all of the men and women who participated in working on the Charley threat. Our CERT members, along with our fire departments, health department, Red Cross, school board, clerk's office, road department and ambulance personal and Sheriff's Department did a great job and worked long and hard.

Lastly, thank you citizens of Levy County. Your response helped us to keep you safe. I know that if the "big one" ever does hit us, we'll be there together, taking care of each other. Have a great week.