By Ray Birch
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—“Unbelievable” is the only word Patrick LaPine says he can find to describe the aftermath of Hurricane Michael.
Bay Federal
“I don’t know any other way to put it,” said the president and CEO of the League of Southeastern CUs. “I have been down here about 10 years and this is the worst damage—for communities and for credit unions—that I have ever seen.”
The storm, which made its way through the Gulf Coast at a nearly Category 5 level, had killed 18 across a number of southeastern states through Monday, with dozens of people still unaccounted for. More than 230,000 were still without power Mondaymorning, with no solid estimates being given on when power would be restored—some reports saying it could be more than a month is some areas.
LaPine assessed the damage to credit unions as widespread and sporadic in nature, noting the leagues’ headquarters in Tallahassee was not damaged. He said the league is doing its best now to get credit unions whatever they ask for, and it’s a widely varied list.
“We are working on a case-by-case basis,” explained LaPine. “We helped one credit union hire a remediation company to dry out their soaked location, another needs a generator, some need AT&T cell phones with hot spots, another needs a mobile branch…We are making round-robin calls to credit unions to learn what they need. We help them out with something in the morning, cross that off our list and then come back in the afternoon and add more items. That’s just what we have to do.”
Some Still Out of Communication
LaPine said the league has not been able to get in touch with a few credit unions near some of the hardest-hit areas, such as Mexico Beach, Florida.
“We have not been able to speak with them yet, and we will get a clearer picture of some of their needs (Tuesday) when we send some groups into those areas,” said LaPine. “It has been difficult to get to these credit unions because the roads are blocked.”
LaPine said initial reports indicate that Bay Federal CU in Panama City has suffered the most damage to its offices.
“But, again, it’s a case-by-case basis. There are some credit unions that have been badly impacted—their facilities may never be able to reopen. And then there are others with minor damage, such as minor flooding or roof damage,” he said. “Often it was just the luck of the draw, where your office was.”
Two Big Problems
The biggest issue is the lack of power and then sporadic communications, said LaPine. He said cell service is very limited, with AT&T being the only network with service that is somewhat effective. LaPine said that has made it difficult, if not impossible, to communicate with staff. He added that while some credit unions began to reopen Monday, being able to communicate with staff to let them know which offices are open and what the team needs to do is very challenging.
“I know some credit unions are placing signs on their offices’ windows to tell staff where to go and what to do,” he said.
LaPine said that through limited reports he had not heard of any credit union staff who had been injured, but he added it is too early to gather reports of any injuries to members. He also noted that a big issue for credit unions going forward will be to find long-term housing for staff whose homes were destroyed. LaPine emphasized that credit unions, as they struggle to get back on their feet, are doing whatever they can to assist members who have suffered losses from the hurricane.
Convoy of Relief Organized
As CUToday.info reported, LSCU organized a “convoy” that included electricians and roofers to help CUs get back on their feet as quickly as possible. The team delivered 40 portable generators to CUs over the weekend and plans to provide more in the next few days.
“You learn as you go with each big storm,” said LaPine. “You think you have things figured out and then something else pops up that you never expected. All I know is that credit unions and the league are working hard to support staff and members as we come back from what was a very devastating storm.”
