Soofa Signs Support First Responders During Hurricane Ian

During the height of Hurricane Ian’s path of destruction through Central Florida, Soofa Signs delivered key information to residents in support of first responders and key civic leaders. 

Soofa operates unique solar-powered kiosks in nearly 100 cities across the United States.  These eight-foot tall signs feature 42” electronic ink displays that communicate weather, transit, and events information to millions of people.  In cities from Bradenton to Groveland to Orlando and beyond, the signs continued to operate throughout Ian’s 90 mile per hour winds and in the aftermath despite localized flooding.

All signs continued to provide up-to-date information, and Orlando immediately reprogrammed its signs to display its emergency phone number both during and after the storm passed.  In the aftermath of rescue efforts, Soofa’s city partners inspected the signs and found zero damage to any of them.

“There was some uncertainty about the signs as Hurricane Ian approached, but I was confident that the signs would remain intact,” said Christophe St. Luce, Bradenton’s Assistant City Administrator. “After the storm, I personally inspected each sign and other than a leaf slightly lodged into one corner, you wouldn’t have noticed anything amiss.” 

“While power outages lasted for days after the hurricane, every one of our Florida signs remained online and provided cities an emergency communication tool to use as needed,” said Jacques de Kock, Soofa’s Director of Engineering. “We’re heartbroken by the loss of life and damage to property, but humbled that our signs played a support role to our communities.”