ORLANDO – The Florida Realtors® Disaster Relief Fund began accepting applications after tornadoes ripped through downtown Tallahassee and the surrounding area on Friday, killing one person. Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 12 North Florida counties.
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The fund, available to Realtors®, Realtor boards/associations and their staff, provides assistance to those whose primary residential home or real estate office sustained damages due to the storm.
The counties included in the governor’s emergency declaration for the May 10 storms are Baker, Columbia, Gadsden, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties. Storm assistance applications will close Nov. 11, 2024.
According to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, two tornadoes swept across the city simultaneously. When their paths met at the Capital City Country Club Golf course, located in the downtown area, one dissipated. A third tornado stayed south of the city’s metro area, impacting areas near and within Woodville.
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office said a woman died when a tree fell on the family’s home, and about 80,000 residents were left without power. Wind gusts of 80 to 100 mph, speeds that exceed hurricane intensity, were reported in the capital city.
The storm also knocked two chimneys from apartment buildings at a complex where fallen trees covered a row of cars. Fencing was left bent at the Florida State University baseball stadium.
Other disaster relief available
The Florida Realtors Disaster Relief Fund is also continuing to accept applications for the severe weather events in Florida on Jan. 9, 2024, that impacted 49 counties. Applications will close July 9, 2024. The Realtors Relief Foundation is also accepting applications for any Florida residents who sustained damage during the same storms.
Donations to the Florida Realtors Disaster Relief fund can be completed securely online. If you prefer to mail in a tax-deductible donation, please make your check payable to “Florida Realtors Disaster Fund, attention Dave Garrison,” and send the check to:
Florida Realtors Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 725025
Orlando, FL 32872-5025
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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