Punta Gorda City Council approves funding request for high-water vehicles

Reporter: Amy Galo Writer: Tim Belizaire
Published: Updated:
Water Vehicle
Credit: WINK News

Punta Gorda City Council approved the go-ahead to ask Tallahassee for help purchasing high-water rescue vehicles.

This comes after the Punta Gorda Fire Department recommended the city buy two custom high-water vehicles, also known as swamp buggies, as well as a jon boat and trailer with a mud motor.

The agenda packet also shows a legislative request to purchase a Lenco Bear Car G3 high water rescue vehicle for another $358,000 dollars.

A third request for $223,000 thousand dollars is also in the agenda packet for a Zeal Motor Inc. Fat Truck.

During Hurricane Helene, the North Port Police Department loaned a high-water rescue vehicle to the city.

That vehicle helped rescue 121 people stranded in their homes or cars. Punta Gorda resident Sean Cummins said this is great news, given the last few storms.

“There wasn’t any flooding for Ian, so I guess it makes sense you probably haven’t had a problem since the early 2000s,” said Cummins. “It makes sense that they don’t have one. But now that we’ve had back-to-back and we’ve had three major hurricanes in two years, it makes sense to be prepared.”

Councilwoman Melissa Lockhart shared the following statement with WINK News following the approval on Thursday.

Given the recent flooding in Punta Gorda, these high-water vehicles will empower our first responders to provide more effective assistance to residents during emergencies, ensuring quicker response time and enhanced safety for our community.

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