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West Michigan family taking donations for victims of Hurricane Michael

"It's a disaster down there."

Residents in the Panhandle of Florida are just starting to survey the damage done by Hurricane Michael. For one family with Michigan ties, it will mean starting over.

On Thursday, they got their first look at the total devastation their loved-ones are dealing with. They have no cell service, no power and no home to go to.

"It's a disaster down there," said Barb Choryan, whose sister, brother, and their families are in Panama City. "They lost everything, they do not have home to go to. Nothing."

Most of them evacuated safely. But, like many families in the area, they don't have enough insurance to cover the damage. "When hurricane Charlie when through, the insurance companies left a lot of people out in the cold and rates skyrocketed. So, most people couldn't afford insurance," said Choryan.

Barb and her husband are now hoping to gather donations to take to Florida. "It's a waiting game right now on what they're going to do."

She's been told they need everything from clothes and cleaning supplies, to pre-charged batteries for cell-phones. "It's not just our family. It's widespread. There's a need for anything they can get."

Anyone who wants to donate supplies or money to the victims of Hurricane Michael, can drop them off at Caledonia Vision Center. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday. They will also be taking donations until 5 p.m. Saturday.

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