(Beth Clifton collage)
Alligators in the streets, yet most animal shelters––so far––report little damage
TAMPA, TALLAHASSEE, ATLANTA, ASHEVILLE––Twenty-four hours after Hurricane Helene hit late on September 26, 2024, alligators in the streets were reported throughout north central Florida, yet no many major animal shelter, zoo, or other animal care facility along the path of the storm reported experiencing significant damage or even disruption of operations.
Some, to be sure, may have been unable to post updates due to electrical disruptions and possible loss of cell phone towers.
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Polk County Animal Control in Bartow, and Manatee County Animal Welfare in Palmetto had yet to check in, as of late on September 27, 2024, but no animal care facility had actually reported animal losses or major structural damage––a situation which could yet change.
Mark Viola. (Beth Clifton collage)
Reporter stayed for his cat
Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm when it roared ashore near Perry, Florida, obliterated the town of Cedar Key, population 720.
“Mark Viola, a local reporter in the town of Perry, heard the warnings ,” wrote Antony White for The Guardian, “but says he trusted that the Perry/Taylor county chamber of commerce building where he took refuge was strong enough to withstand the hurricane.”
Explained Viola, to White, “My cat Koko doesn’t travel well, and he’s older, so I was leery about giving him medication to calm him and then taking him on a multi-hour trip to find a pet-friendly hotel.”
Understated the Perry News-Herald on September 27, 2024, having gone to press before Hurricane Helene hit, “The Taylor County Commission canceled its monthly workshop scheduled for Tuesday evening, which would have included a discussion concerning the local animal shelter and the Taylor County Animal Control department.”
(Beth Clifton photo)
No information yet about farmed animals
Racing north and northwest, Hurricane Helene killed at least 45 of the estimated ten million people residing along the way before subsiding.
Four and a half million people––nearly half of the population in the storm path––suffered electrical outages.
Hundreds of thousands of animals in poultry sheds and in barns, along with innumerable pets, may have been killed, injured, lost, or displaced.
Yet much of the animal care infrastructure serving the region remained unscathed and either open for business by mid-day on September 27, 2024 or expecting to reopen on September 28.
(Lowry Park Zoo photo)
SPCA Tampa Bay & ZooTampa
“Our hearts go out to those who have endured the brunt of Hurricane Helene,” posted SPCA Tampa Bay to social media, as one of the first humane societies to feel the fury of Helene and among the first, as well, to issue an update on the aftermath.
“As for us,” SPCA Tampa Bay continued, “our campus and animals are okay. We have staff and volunteers onsite to care for our animals and give them a little extra love
“Due to debris and hazardous road conditions, our shelter in Largo will be closed all day today,” SPCA Tampa Bay said. “We hope to reopen tomorrow with normal hours.”
“We are very fortunate to report that the zoo sustained no significant damage,” reported ZooTampa at Lowry Park. “Both our team members and the animals are also doing well in the storm’s wake, too
Carole & Howard Baskin of Big Cat Rescue.
(Beth Clifton collage)
Big Cat Rescue
Big Cat Rescue, operating for 30 years at the eastern edge of Tampa, closed in 2023 with the retirement of founder Carole Baskin and her husband Howard Baskin, relocating the remaining 41 animals––down from a peak population of over 200––to the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Carroll County, Arkansas.
(See Big Cat Rescue turns a corner, sending big cat residents to Arkansas.)
The Baskins and family remain nearby, however, still active in big cat advocacy.
“My home is okay,” Carole Baskin emailed to ANIMALS 24-7. “My daughter Jamie can’t stop crying because of all the damage at her place, which is on a coastal river and took about seven feet over the banks.
“Her home is okay,” Carole Baskin said, “but her garage housing tens of thousands of dollars in equipment and her pristine 1967 Mustang were trashed” by three feet of storm surge.
(The Royal Cavy Guinea Pig Rescue, Inc. photo)
Pinellas / Clearwater
The Humane Society of Pinellas, in nearby Clearwater, planned to reopen on September 28.
“Our shelter remains okay with minimal damage,” the Humane Society of Pinellas posted.
“We made it through the storm and the weather is bright and sunny!” posted the Royal Cavy Guinea Pig Rescue in Clearwater. “We did take damage to our air conditioner and it has stopped working,” but a borrowed air conditioner helped.
“We had some late night hurricane drama between two new rescues,” the Royal Cavy Guinea Pig Rescue admitted, as two guinea pigs fought, possibly on edge from the atmospheric disturbance.
“Clearwater Marine Aquarium has experienced some flooding from Hurricane Helene and will remain closed on September 27,” the aquarium and marine mammal rescue center said. “All animals are safe and being cared for, thanks to our ride out team.”
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium spent September 27 “assessing damage and conducting a cleanup,” staff posted.
Rescue dogs received by the Humane Society of Sarasota County after Hurricane Ian in 2022.
(Humane Society of Sarasota County video photos)
Pasco County Animal Services “hard hit”
“Rest assured,” offered the Humane Society of Sarasota County, in Sarasota, “animals and facility are safe and secure! We are now focused on helping our friends in need across the state of Florida. This morning, we welcomed nearly 20 animals from Pasco County Animal Services,” in Land O’Lakes.
“Helene hit their facility hard, and they remain without power.
Elaborated Pasco County Animal Services pet services supervisor Gina Marie Iachello shortly after dawn on September 27, via Facebook, “We lost power last night. I have no idea when we will get it back. Our generator that runs only our medical department has hours left.
“Pet owners impacted by flooding are leaving their pets; the intake wave begins.”
Gina Marie Iachello, Pasco County Animal Services pet services supervisor.
(Facebook photo)
“Fifty animals left today”
By evening, though, after nearly 60 hours at the shelter with Pasco County Animal Services staff, Iachello updated that “We are leaving now for the first time,” since the storm warnings began.
“Our shelter is still without power. It is very hot and humid. Intake spikes are already starting. It was a scary start to the day,” Iachello admitted.
“But one call for help, and what followed just brings me to tears. Friends came. They made calls. They messaged. And kennels were opened. The babies went into open arms and cold air conditioning, and it seems to be just the beginning.
“Fifty animals left Pasco County Animal Services today, with many more offers of love and support for what seems to be ahead. The words thank you don’t even scratch the surface,” Iachello said, “and I pray I can one day do the same for any of you. I am bombarded with messages, but had no wifi all day so will get back to everyone. Love you all, and this beautiful village we created.”
(SPCA Florida photo)
SPCA Florida
SPCA Florida, in Lakeland, reported an almost opposite experience.
“Once we found out where Helene was going to come ashore,” SPCA Florida posted, “we contacted the shelters up there to see if they needed any help. Turns out about 90 dogs were being kept in outdoor kennels, who needed to be moved out of the storm’s path immediately. Our staff and volunteers took all of our vans and made the 11-hour round trip drive to pick up every one of those dogs. We took in four, and the rest went to other shelters out of range of the hurricane.
“We cannot thank our staff and volunteers enough for leaving their families and making this journey only a day before the hurricane started to reach us,” SPCA Florida said. “Thanks to them, and to our supporters, all 90 of these dogs are safe.”
(Venice, Florida municipal government photo)
Humane Society of the Nature Coast
“We made it through the storm! Minimal debris and water hit us,” exulted the Humane Society of the Nature Coast in Brooksville, “and we are so thankful!”
The Humane Society of the Nature Coast delayed opening on September 27 “until noon. This will give us a little more time to clean up before the public comes in. We will also be canceling our volunteer orientation and dog handling classes today as well,” the Humane Society of the Nature Coast said.
“We are relieved to report that the animal shelter was unscathed during Helene, and all of our sweet animals are safe! We are resuming our normal operating hours today, and will be here until six p.m.,” announced the City of Tallahassee Animal Service Center.
The Humane Society of North Central Florida in Gainesville, formerly the Alachua County Humane Society, remained closed on September 27, 2024, but pledged to be open on September 28 “for normal operations.”
(U.S. Coast Guard photo)
Dog rescue by helicopter
The first dramatic animal rescue of Hurricane Helene, at least in U.S. waters, came on the afternoon of September 26, 2024 when Coast Guard petty officer second class Ted Hudson descended from a hovering helicopter to pull a man and his dog to safety after the two escaped from a sunken houseboat about 25 miles off Sanibel Island.
Hudson’s helmet camera and video from another nearby helicopter captured most of the incident.
That evening, the Citrus County sheriff’s office reported, deputies rescued more than 100 people and 50 pets from flooded Crystal River.
Anne Geggis and friends.
(Facebook photo)
Steinhatchee
Insurance reporter Anne Geggis of the Palm Beach Post was on the scene by morning in Steinhatchee, one of the hardest-hit communities in the Big Bend area where Hurricane Helene came ashore.
“Her riverside home is destroyed, eight of the 24 riverside rental units she owns were flooded, and the electrical system powering the riverside marina building may have been fritzed,” Geggis wrote.
“And still, Danielle Norwood, 59, owner of the Sea Hag Marina that fronts the Steinhatchee River, was smiling somehow as she pointed to a concrete floor that had crumbled.
“The good news for Norwood,” Geggis explained, “is that Helene’s fury spared the feral cats who prowl the marina grounds.”
Geggis also wrote about Steinhatchee resident Lynn Padgett, 48, who lost her home and the Jiffy store where she worked, but survived with her 67-year-old husband, 67-year-old father, 18-year-old son, five Dachshunds, and a cat.
“She was waiting in her car,” Geggis said, “hoping the water would go down enough so she could get to her house and maybe find Muffin the cat, who had climbed up a tree in fright.”
(Atlanta Humane Society photo)
Atlanta
More rescue stories emerged as Hurricane Helene inundated Atlanta.
“A family of three — two adults and an infant — and their two dogs were rescued from flood waters after being trapped on the roof of their car,” CBS News reported.
But “At the Atlanta Humane Society,” staff posted to Facebook, “we’re grateful to share that our shelter and animals remain safe. Yesterday, 20 animals were placed in temporary foster homes, allowing them to ride out the storm in cozy, loving environments.
“Our dedicated staff stayed overnight to care for the remaining animals, ensuring they were safe and comfortable throughout the night.
“Our building weathered the storm well—there’s some standing water in the walking trail and sensory garden, but we’re happy to report that the building stayed dry, and we never lost power,” the Atlanta Humane Society said, adding that “Our disaster response team is in close contact with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and awaiting assignments to deploy and assist communities in need, once it’s safe to do so.”
Zoo Atlanta announced only that, “Due to inclement weather conditions, Zoo Atlanta will have a delayed opening” on September 27, 2024.
(Brother Wolf photo from Hurricane Laura, 2020.)
Brother Wolf flooded
Farther north, Buncombe County, North Carolina, declared a state of emergency due to flooding. The Asheville Humane Society adoption center and the Buncombe County Animal Shelter closed for the day on September 27, 2024.
“URGENT!! HELP!! Emergency shelter evacuation happening NOW! Extreme flooding from Hurricane Helene is causing us to evacuate our entire shelter NOW,” posted Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, of Asheville.
“We need YOU, our community, to help keep animals safe and dry.”
(Beth Clifton collage)
“Every animal is in a home”
But by nightfall the crisis had passed.
“To be honest- this morning, we were full of fear,” Brother Wolf updated. “Terrified. Our shelter started flooding for the first time in years. Roads around Brother Wolf were already closed, and the worst of the rain still hadn’t reached us.
“We knew we had to get the animals somewhere dry, somewhere safe. We turned to you. The gratitude we feel right now is overwhelming in the best way.
“Instead of fear, we feel hopeful, connected, energized, and comforted. Thank you to each person who helped in whatever way they could. Your effort does not go unnoticed, and you are appreciated.
“Right now, every animal is in a temporary or long-term foster home. Our shelter is empty, and we are ready for whatever tomorrow brings.”
Bianca the horse, missing from flood.
(Halie Higgins photo)
Searching for her horse
In Erwin, Tennessee, where 54 people were evacuated from the roof of the Unicoi County Hospital, Halie Higgins hoped tomorrow would bring her horse Bianca home.
“The Nolichucky River is completely out of its banks,” Higgins explained. “They couldn’t get to her––when the dam broke the water rose too fast. She’s 16 hands high, black with a white star, thin forelock. No socks.”
Higgins posted a photo of the horse taken from across the raging Nolichucky River.
Beth & Merritt Clifton, editors, ANIMALS 24-7.
“She was last seen around noon today standing beside the radio building beside the Unicoi County hospital,” Higgins detailed. “The building she was standing beside went completely underwater a little bit after everyone had to evacuate. We are all just praying she turns up downstream somewhere.
“My family did everything they could to get her out. She is loved so very dearly and we want to see her come home,” Higgins finished.
A later photo showed Bianca alive and well, but still on the wrong side of the deep and fast-flowing water from rescuers.
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