Gainesville, Florida, is the hub of a GA relief effort to help the hurricane-ravaged Florida Panhandle in the wake of Hurricane Michael. Only a few weeks after mounting a major effort to help some of the millions affected by Hurricane Florence in the Carolinas, Operation Airdrop began receiving and distributing supplies on Sunday. Gainesville is about 200 miles from Panama City, the hardest hit region.
Operation Airdrop’s response protocol via a social media fanout was engaged on Saturday and the first load of supplies went out from Gainesville Sunday morning. By late Sunday, more than 20 aircraft filled with supplies had been deployed. Destin Airport, about 50 miles east of Panama City, is receiving supplies for local distribution but it’s not clear what other GA facilities are available for use.
President Donald Trump will visit the area on Monday and that means a VIP Movement TFR will be in place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. local time. The TFR airspace boundaries vary during that time period but any flight activity beyond that supporting the presidential visit, first responders and other officials is restricted. The Notam is here.
