- April 28, 2024
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Volusia County officials are urging residents to assist each other with storm recovery and to apply for FEMA assistance for Hurricane Ian-related expenses.
"For everyone that just dodged the bullet, there's many people that are really suffering," Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower said during a news conference Oct. 1. "The damage is significant. There's homes on our coasts that are teetering on falling off dunes into the ocean — dunes that don't exist anymore. There's flooding from one end of the county to the other."
The flooding isn't over, and danger remains, he said.
"I've been in the Emergency Operations Center for four days now, watching county staff work harder than any one of us could imagine — first responders doing what they do, and doing it well," he said. "... I'm asking for your cooperation. I'm asking for your patience. I'm asking that you do what Volusia County really does well, and that's that we all come together and we help our neighbors."
That might mean giving a neighbor a ride to the grocery store or a medical facility, he said.
As for the county's beaches, he said.,"There's nobody that wants to open our beach faster than I do, but it's just not safe yet," with the water still full of debris.
Volusia County Community Information Director Kevin Captain urged residents to apply for FEMA assistance for storm-related expenses.
"If you have experienced damage to your home, vehicle or personal or business property, we strongly encourage you to apply," Captain said. "Please note that FEMA assistance is also available to residents who are renters."
Apply at www.disasterassistance.gov, through the FEMA mobile app or by calling 800-621-3362.
Six county's library branches have reopened, with internet access and staff available to help residents with FEMA applications, Captain added.
To apply for FEMA assistance, residents will need: a working telephone number; the address that sustained the damage, the address the applicant is staying at, if it's different; their Social Security number, a general list of damage/losses; banking information if direct deposit is selected; and insurance information, for those who are insured.
Volusia County Interim Emergency Management Director Jim Judge noted that people whose applications are denied by FEMA may appeal.
"If you apply for individual assistance and you're denied, and we encourage you to go through the appeals process," he said. "If that doesn't work, then there's still alternatives."
The county will open a disaster recovery center during the middle of there coming week, he said, with FEMA representatives onsite. The Small Business Administration also offers some assistance for individuals as well as for businesses.
County Manager George Recktenwald said that the cleanup effort for this storm will be different from that of previous storms.
"Most of the damage from Hurricane Ian is going to stem from water. Sorting and putting debris out for pickup will look different than the past," Recktenwald said.
He noted that the county's 16 different municipalities have different debris collection policies.
"So please, contact your local trash collection provider for specific guidance, or your local city as information does become available through each debris removal provider," he said.
Efforts to restore power are ongoing. About 33% of Volusia County electricity customers were without power as of the afternoon of Oct. 1.
"I've seen literally hundreds and hundreds of vehicles where they are staged in DeLand and here at the speedway and throughout the area in large numbers," Recktenwald said.
Duke Energy's goal, he added, is to restore service to 90% of customers by Monday morning, while FPL plans to restore power to 95% by Wednesday morning.
Coastal parks and beaches are closed, he said, while crews assess damage to structures like walkovers and sea walls.
"Many of these structures are compromised right now and could collapse without warning, " he said. "Even without any visible damage, there's a lot of undermining that's gone on."
He reiterated warning to drivers to slow down and not drive through standing water, and to avoid leaving a wake if they must, as wakes can push water into nearby buildings.
People who want to help with the recovery effort, Recktenwald said, can register on the United Way of Volusia-Flagler County website at https://www.unitedwayvfc.org, or go to https://crisiscleanup.org or call Volusia County's Citizens Information Center at 866-345-0345.
"If you or your organization wants to help out, we can use it," Recktenwald said. "... This will be a long event and a long recovery. So we're going to need your help not only today tomorrow, but probably for weeks to come."
