Local

Storm in tropics delays Jacksonville fireman's trip to Bahamas to help his neighbors

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A local fireman's trip to the Bahamas to help those in need is being delayed because of the storm that's brewing in the tropics this weekend.

They help in disaster. But sometimes firefighters are victims too.

"It's just devastating," said Ronnie Roath, a Jacksonville firefighter.

Roath's home in the Bahamas was destroyed, as was his entire neighborhood.

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"We understand since the assessors were there, identified it as a disaster area and a 100 percent loss, we kind of just need to get there," he said.

It's a job where you put other people first. Roath is more concerned about his neighbors than he is his own home.

"The needs of the people that are working there, and the needs of the community, the people that are there, and bring back as many that we can as well," Roath said.

Roath had plans to fly to the Bahamas this weekend, but a storm in the tropics has put things on hold.

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"We were going to load supplies on the plane tomorrow. We were going to head out at 6 a.m. Sunday morning. Still going to be prepared to go, but it looks like about a 90% we won't be able to go," he said.

At least for this weekend. Roath said he will get there as soon as he can to help.

"There's a lot of help to come. We will get there, and we hope to go back over and over," said Roath.

If you would like to donate supplies or money for fuel costs, contact Roath at ronroath@comcast.net.