Contact information

Volusia County Hotline
(866) 345-0345

United Way
First Call for Help
211 or (386)253-0563

Volusia County Schools
West Volusia
734-7190 ext. 20000
New Smyrna Beach
427-5223 ext. 20000
Daytona Beach
255-6475 ext. 20000
Deltona/DeBary
(386) 860-3322

DeLand
(386) 734-1711

Deltona
(386) 561-2109

Edgewater
(386) 424-2400

Flagler County
 (386) 437-8202

New Smyrna Beach Hotlines
(386) 424-2113
(386) 424-2114

Ormond Beach
Public Works
(386) 676-3220
Police non-emergency (386) 677-0731

Ponce Inlet
(386) 322-6711

Port Orange
(386) 506-5999

FPL Hotline
1-800-4-OUTAGE

FEMA
Assistance number
1-800-621-3362.

American Red Cross:
(386) 226-1400 (daily)
(866) GET-INFO (during crisis)

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May 29, 2009 - 5 p.m.
Shelley Szafraniec, APR
Community Information Specialist
Volusia County Government

Volusia County rainfall update #18

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

The Volusia County Property Appraiser’s Office released updated damage assessment totals Friday. According to the office, 1,887 structures were affected by the flooding with an estimated dollar damage of $59.7 million. The structures included 1,106 single-family homes, 178 multi-family homes, 509 mobile homes, and 94 commercial properties.

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS

Since opening Thursday, more than 1,300 people have visited the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs). The DRCs will remain open from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily:

  • Holly Hill Recreation Center, 1046 Daytona Ave., Holly Hill
  • Dickerson Center, 308 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Daytona Beach

Citizens affected by the flooding are reminded that even if they have applied and registered for assistance through the American Red Cross or another agency, they still must register with FEMA. Residents can visit one of the two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC), register online any time at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or call (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or (800) 462-7585 (TTY) for hearing/speech impaired from 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. seven days a week.

It is not necessary for applicants to contact their insurance company or wait for a settlement before registering with FEMA. After registering, applicants should notify their insurer at the earliest opportunity.

Residents must bring the following information with them to the DRCs or when calling the FEMA hotline:

  • Contact information (name, address, phone number, mailing address)
  • Social Security number
  • Household income information/number of people in household
  • Insurance information
  • Bank account address information
  • A description of damage/loss to their home/business as a result of the rainfall event

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION LOANS

  • Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the May flooding can seek assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available for homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses and nonprofit organizations can borrow up to $2 million to replace or repair damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA also can lend additional funds to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage in the future.
  • To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, citizens must first call FEMA at (800) 621-FEMA (3362). Additional details about the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or by e-mailing the customer service center at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.Citizens also can apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. SBA representatives also are at the Disaster Recovery Centers in Volusia County.

DONATIONS

The City of Daytona Beach is accepting specific donated items for citizens affected by the flooding at any of its seven fire stations. Items can be dropped off 24 hours a day.

Items requested for flood-affected residents are deodorant, liquid or powdered soap, feminine hygiene products, wash cloths, toothpaste, tooth brushes, wet wipes, underwear, adult socks, adult t-shirts, denture cleaning products, adult diapers (large or extra-large), rubber gloves, bleach, razors, hairbrushes/combs, child diapers, bandages, insect repellent, garbage bags and air mattresses.

The City of Port Orange is accepting donations of nonperishable food and personal hygiene items at any of its five fire stations through Monday, June 1. Citizens are asked to not bring: clothing, cleaning products, garbage bags, air mattresses or any other type of donation.

The Salvation Army asks people who want to help those affected by the flooding to visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call (800) SAL-ARMY. Monetary donations are needed to meet survivors’ most immediate needs. A $100 donation will feed a family of four for two days and provide two cases of drinking water and one household clean-up kit, containing brooms, mops, buckets and cleaning supplies.

UNINCORPORATED VOLUSIA COUNTY REFUSE COLLECTION

Residents of unincorporated areas of Daytona Beach and Holly Hill are asked to move flood-related debris to the county right-of-way for pick-up by Monday, June 1. The Volusia County Solid Waste Division will make a single pass to remove eligible debris from flood-affected areas and may schedule additional debris removal if FEMA assistance is authorized.

Residents of unincorporated Volusia County are asked to follow these guidelines:

  • Separate vegetative debris (branches, limbs and shrubbery) from household garbage, construction and demolition debris, and household appliances.
  • Household garbage should be placed in the normal refuse container.
  • Construction and demolition debris must be separated from other waste. Carpet and padding must be cut down to 4-foot rolls.
  • Do not mix household hazardous wastes such as paint cans, aerosol sprays or pesticides and tires with the debris. Household hazardous wastes should be dropped off at the Tomoka Landfill, 1990 Tomoka Farms Road, Port Orange; or West Volusia Transfer Station, 3151 E. New York Ave., DeLand.
  • Electronics, appliances and recycling should be separated from other wastes.
  • Do not place curbside waste near a water meter vault, fire hydrant or other above-ground utility.
  • Homeowners are responsible for debris generated by contractors hired to make repairs. Contractor-generated debris is not eligible for curbside collection and must be delivered to the Tomoka Landfill.
  • Businesses generating hazardous waste should contact their hazardous waste hauler or Volusia County’s Environmental Management Division at (386) 736-5927 for assistance or questions.
  • Persons who live within city limits should check with their local government for guidelines on debris removal.

REHABBING FLOODED HOUSES

  • The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has a manual titled “Rehabbing Flooded Houses - A Guide for Builders and Contractors,” available free online at http://www.huduser.org/Publications/pdf/Rehab_FloodedHouses.pdf.
  • This comprehensive guide is in English and Spanish, and includes guidance on flood safety, dry-out, clean-up, rehab, and flood-resistant restoration methods and materials. It also lists other publications and web pages in its references, as well as other related resources (FEMA, Red Cross, etc.) and materials.

CONTRACTORS/PERMITTING

Citizens are reminded to obtain permits from their city or the Volusia County Building and Zoning Division for work involving new construction, electrical, mechanical, plumbing or structural. Even though residents may hire contractors to do the work, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure the necessary permits have been obtained.

Citizens also are reminded to work with licensed contractors for any repair work to their homes. Contractors should have appropriate state and local licenses and be insured. Citizens should ask to see these documents prior to signing any contracts or making any arrangements.

MOSQUITOES

Volusia County’s Mosquito Control Division will spray areas of mainland Daytona Beach and the western areas of Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach after 2 a.m. Saturday, May 30.

Due to the standing water in Volusia County, public health officials are anticipating an elevated level of mosquito activity in the coming weeks. The Volusia County Health Department advises the public to remain diligent in protecting themselves from mosquito bites by following the “5 D’s,” which include:

  • Dusk and Dawn - Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are seeking blood. For many species, this is during the dusk and dawn hours.
  • Dress - Wear clothing that covers most of your skin.
  • DEET - When the potential exists for exposure to mosquitoes, repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, or N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) are recommended. Picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus are other repellent options. If additional protection is necessary, a permethrin repellent can be applied directly to your clothing. Again, always follow the manufacturer’s directions.
  • Drainage - Check around your home to rid the area of standing water, which is where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.

Tips on repellent use

  • Always read label directions carefully for the approved usage before applying a repellent to skin. Some repellants are not suitable for children.
  • Products with concentrations of up to 30 percent DEET are generally recommended. Other potential mosquito repellents, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in April 2005, contain picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. These products are generally available at local pharmacies. Look for active ingredients to be listed on the product label.
  • Apply insect repellent to exposed skin, or onto clothing, but not under clothing.
  • In protecting children, read label instructions to be sure the repellent is age-appropriate. According to the Centers for Disease Control, mosquito repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 years. DEET is not recommended on children younger than 2 months.
  • Infants should be kept indoors or mosquito netting should be used over carriers when mosquitoes are present.
  • Avoid applying repellents to the hands of children. Adults should apply repellent first to their own hands and then transfer it to the child’s skin and clothing.
  • If additional protection is necessary, apply a permethrin repellent directly to your clothing. Again, always follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Tips on eliminating mosquito breeding sites

Elimination of breeding sites is one of the keys to prevention.

  • Clean out eaves, troughs and gutters.
  • Remove old tires or drill holes in those used in playgrounds to drain.
  • Turn over or remove empty plastic pots.
  • Pick up all beverage containers and cups.
  • Check tarps on boats or other equipment that may collect water.
  • Pump out bilges on boats.
  • Replace water in birdbaths and pet or other animal feeding dishes at least once a week.
  • Change water in plant trays, including hanging plants, at least once a week.
  • Remove vegetation or obstructions in drainage ditches that prevent the flow of water.

BEACH SWIMMING SAFETY

  • Visitors to Volusia County beaches should exercise extreme caution when swimming for the next several weeks. According to the Volusia County Beach Patrol, the impact of the May rain storms continues to create a high threat of rip currents.
  • Even when the water appears calm, beach officials warn the threat for the rip currents will remain high.
  • Swimmers should swim near a lifeguard and talk to a lifeguard or beach patrol officer if they have any questions.

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