Real Estate and Management Companies Active in Hurricane Michael Relief

Everyone is trying to help out but they aren't going to tell people to cancel bookings or not to vacation here. Canceling contracts or altering their business not to serve their clients (owners) best interest is not good business.

But anyone who has space is scrambling to fill it to help out. I'm sure many owners are also. There is a lot of empty property that is not on the rental market that I'd like to see opened up. We also need FEMA to step up with temp housing.

Everyone is trying to help out but they aren't going to tell people to cancel bookings or not to vacation here. Canceling contracts or altering their business not to serve their clients (owners) best interest is not good business.

But anyone who has space is scrambling to fill it to help out. I'm sure many owners are also. There is a lot of empty property that is not on the rental market that I'd like to see opened up. We also need FEMA to step up with temp housing.

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. FEMA has

I read that FEMA will pay for hotels but what hotels? I haven't heard if temp housing will be available yet. But surely.

The Resort and Management Companies need to step up and tell visitors to postpone their vacations. We have thousands of homeless people 50 miles east of here devastated and will be affected for months and months to come. Right now We need to serve their needs and not tourists.

So we have our planned annual vacation to Watercolor in 2 weeks, does this mean tourists are not welcome? We considered going elsewhere but thought our vacation dollars would be welcome to local businesses who may struggle due to lost vacationers. We certainly don't want to be a burden or unwelcome.

So we have our planned annual vacation to Watercolor in 2 weeks, does this mean tourists are not welcome? We considered going elsewhere but thought our vacation dollars would be welcome to local businesses who may struggle due to lost vacationers. We certainly don't want to be a burden or unwelcome.

Yes tourists are more than welcome especially now in the off-season when our businesses need you! Just a few things to be aware of and that is that Publix shelves might be a little bit low as well as our fuel supply We have gas and Publix is in full operational mode but locals are loading up on supplies to deliver east. People from the effected areas are coming here to get gas if they can.

Practical actions to consider: fill your tank before you hit Freeport. Bring some of your own groceries or hit the store in Freeport before crossing the bridge into South Walton.

Also check with your rental company on any other issues or concerns you may have

So we have our planned annual vacation to Watercolor in 2 weeks, does this mean tourists are not welcome? We considered going elsewhere but thought our vacation dollars would be welcome to local businesses who may struggle due to lost vacationers. We certainly don't want to be a burden or unwelcome.

Consider postponing your vacation or donating it to a family in need of refuge. Everybody's asking how they could help so this is my suggestion to you. You do realize if it had come ashore 50 miles west there would be no Watercolor.

Yes tourists are more than welcome especially now in the off-season when our businesses need you! Just a few things to be aware of and that is that Publix shelves might be a little bit low as well as our fuel supply We have gas and Publix is in full operational mode but locals are loading up on supplies to deliver east. People from the effected areas are coming here to get gas if they can.

Solutions to consider: fill your tank before you hit Freeport. Bring some of your own groceries or hit the store in Freeport before crossing the bridge into South Walton.

Also check with your rental company on any other issues or concerns you may have

Teresa..I'm and usually on your side but we have plenty of second homeowners pouring in and people who need refuge who have no homes left east of us..the businesses will do plenty of business without tourists. Heaven forbid that a homeowner in the upscale resorts lose out on a week or two after jamming thousands of people into their homes from April through October

Consider postponing your vacation or donating it to a family in need of refuge. Everybody's asking how they could help so this is my suggestion to you. You do realize if it had come ashore 50 miles west there would be no Watercolor.

Disagree - no one should postpone or cancel. Short term vacation rentals are not going to go to help evacuees. Most people I know who live here are giving time, resources, and money. They don't need you or anyone else to turn away business. Your opinion may come from a desire to help but is not helpful.

Disagree - no one should postpone or cancel. Short term vacation rentals are not going to go to help evacuees. Most people I know who live here are giving time, resources, and money. They don't need you or anyone else to turn away business. Your opinion may come from a desire to help but is not helpful.

Also keep in mind that we have a lot of displaced people now working in SoWal so the more business the better. Some people literally have no home and no job, no income and need the work to eat and support kids.

Many vacation rental workers also live or lived in Panama City.

I don't believe trying to turn tourists away from the areas that have not been damaged, or trying to make tourists or locals feel guilty about visiting will help at all. Many friends and family have lost homes. Trying to depress their employment as well is very misguided.

Teresa..I'm and usually on your side but we have plenty of second homeowners pouring in and people who need refuge who have no homes left east of us..the businesses will do plenty of business without tourists. Heaven forbid that a homeowner in the upscale resorts lose out on a week or two after jamming thousands of people into their homes from April through October

Hey @outofadream, I appreciate your heart and I hear where you're coming from. Here is what's going on in SoWal now...

Our resorts and towns are just getting online with full power and internet, etc, even though we had very minimal damage. Our community depends on tourism now more than ever as we work hard to help our neighbors in Panama City, Lynn Haven, Mexico Beach, Port St Joe and many other small towns to our east. Our community is working so hard - I've never seen such energy and generosity of time, talent, skill, and urgency to coordinate resources and get to work here and over there. Groups, businesses, restaurants, and individual people literally shopping, gathering supplies, donating and traveling each and every day over to feed people, provide supplies going door to door, driving to the most remote areas, dropping off supplies in Mexico Beach (with police escort), feeding first responders, troops and many people who haven't seen food or water until they arrive (just yesterday!). While over in Bay County, our friends are finding out specific supplies needed RIGHT NOW and where, and blasting that out to everyone on this side so that our efforts are more streamlined, focused and effective. Proud of this community!!!

South Walton has set up its own distribution point in Lynn Haven with food, supplies and live music every day - several groups of locals are organizing and keeping this going. Read more about local hurricane relief efforts organized in South Walton and Destin in SoWal Forums | Hurricane Michael Relief: Donations & Drop Off Sites.

Second homeowners will definitely step up and so will locals when it comes to connecting people with housing - I've seen several do so already just in my own social media timeline! Also, some of our vacation rental companies are working directly with agencies to help provide temporary placement for people right now because there are plenty of vacancies. We will share this information as we get more details - but it's already happening. Some companies are offering discounts while others are working directly with families to place them in temporary housing for free or at very discounted rates (each evacuee has a different situation financially etc). Some families are taking in families in their homes here. And some evacuees are seeking long-term term housing here as well as employment.

Meanwhile, hurricane relief and recovery will go on for many months while our businesses truly depend on keeping tourism going right now. We must keep businesses thriving here so we can help our neighbors to rebuild their communities. When they say that the Florida Panhandle is Stronger When We're Together, it is so true!



Here is an awesome, inspiring and sobering message posted by Seaside today (facebook):

Seaside New Town Old Ways | Facebook
We are very grateful to announce that the Merchants of Seaside and our little beach town is open for business.

We say this as our Seaside Staff, Merchants, their employees, and our neighboring towns to the East have suffered greatly. Their homes are damaged, destroyed, or gone altogether. Their power is slowly being restored and cell service is not consistent in areas where some of our employees and their families live. Relief efforts are being spearheaded by many of our Merchants and Staff while they make sure that their employees and families are safe and have a place to go.

Our very own Seaside Chapel raised tens of thousands of dollars and has distributed funds to employees in need. This amazing gesture happened quietly and quickly.

Many of our guests coming into town for Fall Break and annual vacations have reached out to us privately asking us how they can help. We are humbled by this outpouring of support. We ask that you visit and donate. We ask that you patronize the businesses that are open in our area. We ask that you wait patiently as our neighbors to the East rebuild and then patronize their towns and businesses as soon as they are back up and running.

Hurricane Michael came out of nowhere and shook the Panhandle to the core. But we have seen the banding together of survivors and victims. Thousands of linemen, first responders, moms, dads, sisters, and brothers - all there for one another during a time of unspeakable destruction. From Panama City to Lynn Haven and beyond, we will support recovery until the last business is open and the last roof is replaced.

#SeasideFL #PanhandleStrong #ShoreUp

Many vacation rental workers also live or lived in Panama City.

I don't believe trying to turn tourists away from the areas that have not been damaged or trying to make tourists or locals feel guilty about visiting will help them. Many friends and family who have lost homes. Trying to depress their employment as well misguided.

Thank you - we certainly do not want to go where we are not welcome. And we certainly are grateful that this little piece of paradise was spared, we are well aware it could have been much different. Of course we feel for those whose lives have been destroyed, and by coming we assumed we were helping support the local economy. Some in our family wanted to vacation elsewhere, and I convinced them that we doing the right thing by not heading on a cruise or to the Caribbean, this thread started to make me second guess that decision.

Thank you - we certainly do not want to go where we are not welcome. And we certainly are grateful that this little piece of paradise was spared, we are well aware it could have been much different. Of course we feel for those whose lives have been destroyed, and by coming we assumed we were helping support the local economy. Some in our family wanted to vacation elsewhere, and I convinced them that we doing the right thing by not heading on a cruise or to the Caribbean, this thread started to make me second guess that decision.

Thank you for sticking with South Walton Florida ❤️
Please keep in touch and let us know how your trip turns out. The weather is perfect.

Thank you - we certainly do not want to go where we are not welcome. And we certainly are grateful that this little piece of paradise was spared, we are well aware it could have been much different. Of course we feel for those whose lives have been destroyed, and by coming we assumed we were helping support the local economy. Some in our family wanted to vacation elsewhere, and I convinced them that we doing the right thing by not heading on a cruise or to the Caribbean, this thread started to make me second guess that decision.

You are definitely welcome and appreciated, as are all visitors. Ask any of the people who own and run businesses, and the people that work in them in the area and you'll get the same, answer.

Over the years there are occasional anti-tourist posts as this one seems to have started out as. I don't understand such rants, and I especially don't understand them in a time when the whole area needs an influx of business.

The more business South Walton gets, the more it can do and IS doing to help our neighbors. Please don't let a few negative posts dampen your interest.

If you own a managed rental property you can't just ell people they can't come. It's not good for anyone.

I'm guessing that @outofadream owns a place and is already letting people stay there free of charge.

If you own a managed rental property you can't just ell people they can't come. It's not good for anyone.

I'm guessing that @outofadream owns a place and is already letting people stay there free of charge.

You are so right you can't tell people not to come if they've already rented the property. And yes I have a small cottage where a family is staying My whole point is this there are hundreds of homes and condos just in South Walton that are sitting empty while thousands of people 50 to 70 miles east of us have lost everything. No rant here just trying to make a point or two for second home owners to offer empty rooms to victims..even for a few restful nights Everybody's asking what do you need what can we do well here you go. Talking the talk is easy walking the walk is the true test. Some of you people who responded to my initial post are the first to complain about the bad behavior of the tourists, how the Beaches are crowded trashed and littered and overpriced mediocre food.