Tallahassee leaders gathered at City Hall for a regularly scheduled commission meeting. Congratulations in handling the storm were exchanged and City Manager Reese Goad proudly stated “no one can compete with us.”
Two major historic hurricanes made landfall in a couple of weeks. Linemen across the state, and even country, began working tirelessly to restore power to people. Neighbors with high medical needs are dependent on restored electricity as well as small local businesses. Our beloved linemen are so very necessary. Tallahassee’s own linemen have been providing mutual aide to areas effected by Milton. Sacrificing precious time away from their families to help others.
Helene
The truth of the matter is that no one really can compete with us. The published information on Helene, from Florida Climate Center, reports Tallahassee wind gusts at only 67 mph. Places to the West of us received up to 99mph. Tallahassee only received 6.13 inches of rain while Liberty County received up 15.91 inches. When our wind speed and flooding was so much lower than directly impacted areas, no one can compete with us.
Our neighbors to the west of us may not live in Tallahassee but many of them work here. They experienced a last minute wobble from Helene that was devastating and life altering to them. Our South Florida neighbors experienced storm surges. In a couple of weeks time, before debris could be removed, would experience a direct hit. They really can’t compete with Tallahassee.
Milton
Our South Florida neighbors experienced historical hurricane Milton with 126 tornado warnings issued and 3.4 trillion gallons of water. You can read more of Milton’s known historical numbers here.
It’s not a competition. The damage we sustained was so minuscule in comparison to what the rest of the state is enduring. It’s clear that our city leadership views everything as “winning” or “losing.” No one can compete with us because this should never be a competition. We are only better when we work together.
