Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon has announced plans to collect disaster relief supplies for victims of Hurricane Ian.

The storm made landfall in Florida Wednesday as a Category 4 hurricane that is shaping up to be one of the strongest and deadliest in the state's history.

According to a post from Herndon's Facebook page, he plans to take various items to Florida next week and will announce the exact location in a few days once he can determine where supplies are most needed.

"Phones are out in a lot of the cities," Herndon said in the post. "Several of the cities are on a boil water situation. Clean-up and assessment are underway along with search and recovery."

Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida
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Herndon, who has collected items for various regional disasters across the country for the last 11 years, said all possible items will be collected but asks donors to refrain from bringing clothing.

"Water is in big demand," Herndon told the Tuscaloosa Thread. "Right now, think, if you lost everything, what would you need. Anything you can think of that people would need if they were in this situation will be collected."

Sample items Herndon and his team will collect include:

  • Bleach
  • Water
  • Tarps, tools and building supplies
  • Baby supplies
  • Personal hygiene
  • Feminine hygiene
  • Paper products
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Canned food and snacks

Herndon said there is also an option for people who would like to monetarily, as his team has shoppers that will purchase items for the drive.

"You can't ever give too much. Any gift will be appreciated," Herndon said.

Herndon is also challenging local high schools to participate in friendly rivalry challenges to collect the most items.

Donations can be dropped off at his surveying company, Herndon, Hicks & Associates, Inc., at 2728 Lurleen B. Wallace Boulevard in Northport.

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