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Suwannee
Democrat Wednesday Edition — June 27, 2012
127th YEAR, NO. 73 | 4 SECTIONS, 44 PAGES
50 CENTS
Serving Suwannee County since 1884, including Live Oak, Wellborn, Dowling Park, Branford, McAlpin and O’Brien
flood
Howard Street (US 90) looking west.
debby packS a punch
ROADS OUT, PEOPLE DISPLACED
Suwannee County Schools Director of Facilities Mark Carver uses an airboat to rescue people from their homes Tuesday. Part of Mt. Olive Road, near Wellborn, was washed away by rushing water.
A woman wades through the water near a partially submerged car on Duval Street at Mussey Avenue.
Ivey Memorial Park Drive in Branford with Sugar Hill in background.
By Jeffry Boatright Local attorney Hal Airth stands in front of his sandbagged building with a photo of the building when it was flooded in 1964 from Hurricane Dora. After the flood of ‘64, said to be the worst natural disaster in the history of Suwannee County, First National Bank bought land, built a new building and moved to higher ground at 201 South Ohio Ave. Bank of America occupies that building today. First National Bank, now the law offices of Hal Airth, after Hurricane Dora in 1964.
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Residents of Suwannee County were stunned Tuesday morning after waking up to historic water levels after Monday night’s rainfall that flooded downtown Live Oak and left many people throughout the county displaced. A flood on this scale hasn’t been seen in this area since Hurricane Dora flooded Live Oak in 1964. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries reported Tuesday after-
noon. The flood waters were so intense in some areas throughout the county that Suwannee County Emergency Management officials declared a voluntary evacuation of low-lying areas and locations near rivers, streams and creeks. Tropical Storm Debby dropped up to 16 inches of rain throughout the area in less than 24 hours causing countless residents to evacuate from their homes and many businesses in downtown Live Oak under water. SEE FLOOD, PAGE 3A
FLOOD
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2012
I SUWANNEE DEMOCRAT/LIVE OAK
PAGE 3A
Debby packs a punch
ROADS OUT, PEOPLE DISPLACED Continued From Page 1A While some residents were evacuated, others were unable to leave their homes because access roads were flooded. Throughout the day Tuesday, water levels continued to rise as retention ponds reached their limits and extended into neighborhoods, lawns and peoples’ homes. Throughout Tuesday, volunteers and emergency workers came to the aid of many throughout the county. Friends and strangers alike helped one another and neighbors even became better acquainted. Motorists found difficulty navigating the roads. One motorist was reported hanging from a tree limb after her car became stuck in rushing flood waters on CR 49 near 180th Street. According to reports, another car fell into a sink hole on 153rd Road. According to Suwannee County Sheriff Tony Cameron, the major concern at this time is water. Cameron stated that Debby could bring five more inches of rain to the area on Tuesday, with more showers on Wednesday. The National Weather Service forecasted 80 percent more chance of rain for our area with a 40 percent chance on Wednesday. One of Cameron’s concerns is that people are wading or playing in flood water that poses potential danger. According to Cameron, the floodwater in the city could be contaminated with raw sewage, making it very unsafe. In addition to that danger, Cameron noted that sinkholes and electrical current could pose a threat. Cameron noted that a downed power line could pose the threat of electrocution for someone wading in the water. Although water is one of the main con-
cerns at this point, potential winds coming in with Tropical Storm Debby could have an impact on the area as well. According to Cameron, the wet ground will increase the possibility of trees falling. Cameron suggests that residents remain in a safe part of the homes to avoid the possibility of being hit by a falling tree. The rains from Tropical Storm Debby has caused flooding on most of the roads and streets throughout the county, causing road closures. Suwannee County school buses could be seen throughout the county Tuesday blocking intersections and main roads. Supervisor of Elections Glenda Williams said, “The electronic elections machines have been moved to higher ground and everything is safe.” There was no water in the elections office as of 9 a.m. Tuesday morning despite water flooding the road and parking lot to the north of the building. Live Oak Fire Chief Chad Croft reiterated the dangers of drivers ignoring the barricades and driving through water anyway. Since early Tuesday, city and county rescue workers have assisted residents evacuate from their homes. Workers eventually found it impossible to reach some residents by truck and began using boats to rescue them. Suwannee County Schools Director of Facilities Mark Carver used an airboat to rescue people from apartments on Walker Avenue, near Silas Drive. Lyn Fletcher of the W.B. Howland Co., Inc. said he first got a call from the Live Oak Fire Department about 2 a.m., Tuesday. “When they told me they needed supplies from our lumber yard and explained
the situation, I told them to cut the lock and take what they needed,” Fletcher explained. In addition to homes flooding throughout the community, a number of vehicles were also flooded. Many vehicles have been damaged from the rising waters as some motorists have required the assistance from rescue workers. As Tropical Storm Debby brings immediate threats and difficulties, the lasting effect of the storm is certain to linger. Live Oak Post Master Donna Luse noted that some areas might require days for mail carriers to deliver the mail. Luse explained that many major highways in the area are closed, but mail carriers are going to attempt to safely deliver the mail to the places they can. Luse emphasized they are doing everything they can to deliver the mail and asks for residents to be patient. In Branford, some roads were impassable and Town Hall officials said that if you don’t have to be on the roads, don’t. "If you don't have to be out today, stay in and stay safe," Town Clerk Donna Hardin said. Most businesses and government offices in Live Oak remained closed on Tuesday. Business owners and volunteers worked diligently placing sandbags around structures in attempt to keep water out of buildings. In the Downtown District of Live Oak, concerns of flooding water had shopkeepers moving merchandise and equipment. Just one block away, records were being situated in the vault of the Suwannee County Courthouse to protect them from unwanted water. According to Suwannee County Clerk of the Court Barry Baker, there were no records damaged.
As rescue workers helped residents find safety throughout Tuesday, the First Baptist Church of Live Oak opened its doors for those residents who were displaced by the storm. American Red Cross workers were available when the doors were opened for shelter at the Suwannee County Coliseum Exhibition Building. Cots remain stretched along the walls of the building as weary people of all ages wait to return to their homes and assess the damages. American Red Cross workers said that they were already serving between 30 and 40 displaced residents Tuesday morning, but more were expected to arrive. Workers encourage those seeking shelter at the Coliseum to bring their medication, a pillow and a blanket. Felicia Sellers said she is just thankful her and her son, Michael Jr., are alright. “We lost everything. Our house is under water and we lost clothes and all,” said Felicia who was staying at First Baptist Church with her son Tuesday. According to Cameron, people were being evacuated in various parts of the county, but as of Tuesday morning most of the evacuations were occurring on the north side of the city. “There was about three feet of water we had to walk through to assist our neighbor,” said Bruce Gardner, who heard her cry out for help around 5:30 Tuesday morning. While the storm has brought an enormous amount of rain to the area, rescue workers remain thankful that no serious injuries have been reported. As neighbors help one another during this crisis, it is hard for many of them to realize that just a few days ago, substantial rainfall seemed foreign to a drought stricken community.
MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING
Edward Jones Ranks Highest in Investor Satisfaction
According to J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Full Service Investor Satisfaction Study
For the sixth year out of the past eight, financial-services firm Edward Jones ranks highest in investor satisfaction with full service brokerage firms, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Full Service Investor Satisfaction Study.
The study measures overall investor satisfaction with full service investment firms based on seven factors: investment advisor, investment performance, account information, account offerings, commissions and fees, website and problem resolution.
Edward Jones places its branch offices in the communities where its clients - long-term individual investors - live and work. This practice, which enables its branch teams to provide personalized service to all clients, has helped the firm attain the highest score in the “Investment Advisor” category of the study. “We are gratified that our clients find it convenient to work with us on their long-term financial goals,” Keith Scott said. “We enjoy working one-on-one with our clients and believe that builds a collaborative relationship.” Edward Jones also received high marks in the “Account Information” category, an important factor in the study.
“Hearing that we did particularly well in the account information factor is especially meaningful as we strive to help our clients make sense of investing,” Mr Scott said.
Edward Jones’ overall score climbed 15 points over last year, highest among the 14 largest firms rated, as well as 28 points above the industry average.
Edward Jones ranked highest in investor satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates in 2010 and 2009, from 2005 through 2007, and in a tie in 2002, when the study began. Edward Jones in Canada ranked highest in the J.D. Power and Associates Canadian Full Service Investor Satisfaction Study in 2006 through 2008.
The 2012 Full Service Investor Satisfaction Study is based on responses from 4,378 investors who primarily invest with one of the 14 firms included in the study. The study was fielded in February 2012.
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Now THAT’S Something To Smile About!
In January 2012, for the 13th year, Edward Jones was named one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE Magazine in its annual listing. The firm ranked No. 5 overall and No. 3 in Large Size Companies. These 13 FORTUNE rankings include top 10 finishes for nine years, consecutive No. 1 rankings in 2002 and 2003, and consecutive No. 2 rankings in 2009 and 2010. FORTUNE and Time Inc. are not affiliated with and do not endorse products or services of Edward Jones.
Edward Jones is headquartered in St. Louis. The Edward Jones website is located at http:/ /www.edwardjones.com/, and its recruiting website is http:// www.careers.edwardjones.com/ . Member SIPC.
914 North Ohio Avenue • Live Oak, FL 32064 Bus. 386-364-3699 TF Fax 888-240-7762 TF. 800-927-0734 Cell 386-208-3692
[email protected] www.edwardjones.com
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Congratulations Mandy Brown’s entire 3rd grade class passed the FCAT LaShanda Jones
Thank you for submitting this week’s SMILE photograph!
Submit your photo for publication to:
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Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliate, in Canada. Every aspect of the firm’s business, from the types of investment options offered to the location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual investors in the communities in which they live and work. The firm’s 12,000-plus financial advisors work directly with more than 7 million clients to understand their personal goals -- from college savings to retirement -- and create long-term investment solutions that emphasize a well-balanced portfolio and a buy-and-hold strategy. Edward Jones embraces the importance of building long-term, face-to-face relationships with clients, helping them to understand and make sense of the investment options available today.
Suwannee Democrat P.O. Box 370, Live Oak, FL 32064
