After the recent category 4 Hurricane Michael wreaked havoc in the Florida Panhandle, Carolina Skiff Sales Rep. Ed Johnston jumped into action – driving more than 800 miles round trip to deliver supplies to those in need.

With his suburban packed to the brim and a loaded trailer in tow, Johnston set out from his home in Englewood Florida Thursday, Oct. 18 to make the all-day trek to authorized dealer Gulf Marine in Panama City with goods donated from Carolina Skiff.

“My friends and business colleagues took a direct hit last week from the hurricane and suffered significant damage,” wrote Johnston on his Facebook page.

In a statement, Carolina Skiff LLC said the boat company sent Johnston with crucial essentials, including bottled water, non-perishable food, diapers, toilet paper, oil and fuel – ultimately packing his truck and trailer with as many supplies both could safely hold.

“We felt it was important to support our dealer [Gulf Marine, owned by Rich Johnson], whom was hit by the storm and lost his storefront, his home and his neighborhood,” stated Carolina Skiff. “We spoke with Rich and asked what we could do to help.”

In a statement, Carolina Skiff explained that Rich’s only concern was to help others – members of his community in need.

“We contacted our Florida Rep. Ed Johnston and he was excited to help too,” Carolina Skiff continued. “Rich has been helping since the storm was over – donating his time and services for people in need, repairing generators, donating water and food and offering any other service work needed.”

Destruction from Hurricane Michael in the Florida Panhandle is widespread with entire neighborhoods, such as Mexico Beach, wiped out during the storm. Many are still without power and residents are being asked to stay off the road and carpool when possible.

Bay County, Florida Emergency Services reports that a countywide curfew from 6:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. remains in effect and that the Florida Housing Finance Corporation is helping families displaced by Hurricane Michael. For more information or help with housing assistance, please visit floridahousingsearch.org.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] lists a variety of information about food distribution, ways to help and guidelines to follow when returning home after a hurricane.

If you’d like to donate supplies for distribution through Gulf Marine, please call 850-215-7500. FEMA advises that cash is also a great way to directly help survivors of Hurricane Michael.

For more information about how can you help those impacted by Hurricane Michael, please visit fema.gov.

And from all of us at Carolina Skiff, thank you Ed and Rich for going above and beyond to help those suffering in the wake of Hurricane Michael!