The Florida office of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates and at least eight credit unions closed their offices and branches Thursday afternoon because of the forecasted dangerous high winds, rain, and possible power loss from Hurricane Hermine.
The Southern league’s office will remain closed on Friday. The eight credit unions, however, have not said whether they will remain closed on Friday, according to the league.
In addition to the storm’s maximum sustained winds of nearly 70 mph with higher gusts, Hermine is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 5 to 10 inches over portions of northwest Florida and southern Georgia through Friday, with possible isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches, according to the National Weather Service in Miami, which issued a public advisory Thursday at noon.
On Friday and Saturday, Hermine is expected to produce totals of 4 to 8 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 10 inches possible across portions of eastern Georgia, South Carolina, and eastern North Carolina through Saturday. These rains may cause life-threatening flash flooding, according to NWS.
What’s more, a few tornadoes are possible Thursday afternoon into Friday morning over north Florida and southeast Georgia. The tornado risk will continue across the eastern Carolinas from Friday morning into Friday night, the NWS said in is public advisory.
The eight credit unions that are closed this afternoon include the $86.8 million Buckeye Community FCU in Perry, the $45.5 million Emerald Coast FCU in Port St. Joe, the $9.5 million Jefferson County Teachers Credit Union in Monticello and the Tallahassee-based cooperatives of the $468 million Envision CU, the $500 million First Commerce CU, the $49.8 million Florida DOT CU, the $184 million FSUCU, and the $49.8 million Tallahassee-Leon CU.
“Safety is paramount for our employees and our credit unions, and we want to ensure that all are able to make preparations in time for the impact of the storm,” the Southeastern league said in statement. “The LSCU’s Birmingham office will remain open today and tomorrow during normal business hours.”
The Southeastern league said it has many resources available to help members prepare for and respond to potential disasters and will be available to assist any affiliates in need as a result of the pending storm.
The league’s disaster hotline is available 24/7, which was set up to provide information to credit union’s employees during a disaster in the event the credit union’s primary communications channels are not working.
To review the current action plan or other additional resources, go the league’s disaster recovery page on its website. Credit unions also can get updates on the league’s Twitter and Facebook sites.
