US Navy opens Florida emergency assistance center after Hurricane Michael

The US Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, said it would open an Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC) Monday, October 15, in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael which hit the Florida Panhandle on October 10.

According to the navy, the EFAC will be manned with navy counselors prepared to assist evacuated military personnel and their families that are staying on or near the installation.

EFACs are established at specific locations by Fleet and Family Support Centers to provide assistance to people following the large-scale emergency. EFACs provide a wide range of services to military personnel, civilians and their families including counseling, information referral, financial assistance and housing assistance.

Additionally, the evacuation order that was set to expire on Oct. 12 was extended by Commander, Navy Region Southeast to November 16.

Hurricane Michael was the third-strongest ever to hit the US and its death toll has climbed to 19 with dozens still unaccounted for. The hurricane has also damaged F-22 Raptor aircraft which were inside hangars at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida when the storm made landfall.