Charlotte County is providing free supplies to people as they recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene.
On Monday morning, dozens of people lined up outside the Port Charlotte Town Center to receive food, water and tarps. The effort, supported by the Florida National Guard, aims to help families in area that saw six to seven feet of storm surge.
“Water got in my sister’s house ankle-deep, and it came right up to my carport like instant,” said Floyd Cooper, who was at the distribution event to pick up supplies.
Watch as the Florida National Guard distributes supplies:
Charlotte County distributes free supplies after Hurricane Helene
“It’s so blessed. I like it when the community comes together,” Cooper added.
The distribution center is one of two in Port Charlotte offering assistance to the community in the wake of severe flooding. At least three full trucks of supplies arrived in the morning.
“You know, you can protect yourself from that wind, but there’s nothing you can do to protect yourself from that water,” said Don Rolfsen, a resident of the Old District.