As storms go, Tropical Storm Gordon wasn't the biggest, or the deadliest or the most devastating.

Still, the storm's 70 mph winds and driving rain were more than enough to snatch everything away from many members of the local homeless population.

"I lost everything, my clothes, my tent, my tarp," John Roberts explained wearily on Wednesday morning. "We've got nowhere to dry out and sleep. We've got nothing dry to put on. No clothes. No covers. We're just going to have to freeze tonight."

In the aftermath of the storm, several dozen people huddled under the pavilions of the Alfred-Washburn Center, a resource center for the homeless on Murphy Lane. As the intermittent sheets of rainfall poured down around them, many people questioned why there weren't more resources in place to protect the homeless in severe weather events.

"I don't know why they don't open up somewhere like the civic center," said James Heaney.

Heaney was one of the many people who braved the elements Wednesday to grab coffee, breakfast or just a dry place to rest at the Washburn Center in the storm's wake.

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When asked where he sheltered during the night, Heaney simply held up a battered square of tarp. He noted that the rest of his belongings were buried somewhere under a foot of water.

Many others gave similar responses, simply saying they hunkered down during the rainstorm because they had no other options.

Pat Mitchell, a volunteer at the Alfred-Washburn Center, said she was frustrated that people who already had no place to go had been left to fend for themselves during a weather emergency.

Mitchell said she believes there should be some form of public shelter opened in any severe weather event.

"I just feel they should have provided a school or something for them," Mitchell said. "The homeless deserve to know that there is a place for them to go."

A representative of Escambia County said there are several organizations that offer shelter for the homeless, such as the Waterfront Rescue Mission and the Salvation Army, and that the United Way's 2-1-1 hotline is available to connect people with resources and organizations that can help them in times of need. The spokesperson also noted that Opening Doors Northwest Florida (formerly the EscaRosa Coalition on the Homeless) takes the lead locally in providing aid to people who are homeless.

Opening Doors did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

There are some common issues that prevent people from being able to access shelters, one of the most common being lack of transportation. However, there are also issues with bed spaces not matching the needs of the population, for instance an ongoing shortfall of beds for women and families.

"We always need tents, tarps and sleeping bags, as well as ponchos to help with rain," said Michael Kimberl, director of the Washburn Center. "We only give tents to women, and we still don't have enough to address the need."

Along with his role at the Washburn Center, Kimberl is also the co-founder on the Satoshi Forest homeless encampment and a prominent advocate for the local homeless community.

Kimberl said although he doesn't necessarily believe the government is the best positioned or best suited entity to provide assistance to the homeless, there are some things it can do to help. Noting that land and facilities are prohibitively expensive to small nonprofits, Kimberl suggested local municipalities could launch programs to lease land and buildings to service providers at little or no cost.

"Give us the infrastructure to provide the shelters," Kimberl said.

Kevin Robinson can be reached at krobinson4@pnj.com and 850-435-8527.