TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Credit unions in and around the state of Florida are moving quickly to support CUs, staff and members impacted by Hurricane Michael, which has delivered “unprecedented” damage to CUs that could leave many offices without power for months, the League of Southeastern CUs reported.
The deadly hurricane, which made its way through the Gulf Coast at a nearly Category 5 level, had killed 18 through Sunday across a number of states.
The League of Southeastern Credit Unions said it orchestrated a two-phase response over the weekend to support impacted credit unions.
According to the league, Patrick La Pine, president/CEO of the LSCU, worked with Chris Rutledge, president/CEO, Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union; Lisa Brown, president/CEO, Tallahassee-Leon Federal Credit Union; Stewart Ramsey, president/CEO, Pen Air Federal Credit Union, and Brian E. Wolfburg, president/CEO VyStar Credit Union to solidify a plan to deliver generators, more than 12,000 gallons of fuel, electricians and roofers to the hardest hit areas.
“The goal is to get as many branches as possible up and running this weekend. The convoy will bring its own electricians and roofers to make sure the process is expedited. Some credit unions could face as long as two months without power,” the league said.
Credit unions that have reported significant damage so far to the league include Bay Credit Union, Panama City, Fla.; Tyndall Credit Union—which has branches in Marianna, Fla., and Chipley, Fla.; Emerald Coast Federal Credit Union, Port St. Joe, Fla.; and Panhandle Educators Federal Credit Union, Panama City, Fla.
The league said it continues to reach out to its credit unions despite “very limited access” to cellular coverage in the areas with the most damage. Two support teams departed Saturday and Sunday to conduct a “boots-on-the-ground” inventory of needs.
The LSCU worked with NCUA, ACUA, CO-OP Financial Services, Corporate One, Corporate America, CUNA, CUNA Mutual Group, CU Service Centers of Alabama, the Foundation, PSCU, Shared Services For Credit Unions and the SECU Foundation to establish a network of partners to provide coordinated resources, the league said.
'What We Are About'
“This is what we are all about – this is the real reason we exist – to do what is best for each other and meet the needs of our credit unions,” said La Pine. “This is the real essence of People Helping People.”
LSCU said it is continuing to reach out daily to credit unions updating the status online and assessing needs. Credit unions throughout the south are offering assistance in various forms, and The Southeastern Credit Union Foundation is assisting. To offer donations to assist those in need, click here. To apply for disaster relief grants, click here.
Meanwhile, in Mobile, Ala., New Horizons Credit Union said it has established a special Charity Account that will help raise funds for the American Red Cross to assist victims of recent hurricanes, and has set up a link to CU AID, which offers assistance to affected Credit Union people through the National Credit Union Foundation. Anyone wishing to contribute to relief efforts can visit any New Horizons Credit Union branch and make a deposit to the American Red Cross Charity Account, the CU said.
“New Horizons Credit Union believes in the Credit Union industry philosophy of People Helping People,” said Patty Veal, SVP of communications and compliance.” Our hearts go out to the victims of these recent storms and offering these avenues to contribute is the least we can do.”