Shelley Szafraniec, APR
Volusia County Government
Community Information Specialist
6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 27

VOLUSIA COUNTY TROPICAL STORM FAY #56

FEMA ASSISTANCE (updated)

A mobile FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is expected to be in place in west Volusia Friday or Saturday. FEMA is sending one mobile center where residents and business owners affected by the flooding can seek assistance. In the interim, residents and business owners can call FEMA at (800) 621-FEMA (3362) to pre-register. Hearing- or speech-impaired individuals can call (800) 462-7585 (TTY). When calling FEMA, please have the following information available:

• phone number for return call;

• Social Security number;

• current mailing address;

• address of the damaged property;

• brief description of damages; and

• insurance information (if you have insurance).

FEMA community relations teams will be in the area later this week. Volusia County has surpassed the threshold for declaration of Small Business Administration (SBA) loans being made available. This will allow for immediate aid to our business communities and those not eligible for FEMA grant monies. SBA representatives will be at the Disaster Recovery Center when it opens.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

Today, Volusia County Emergency Management officials, Volusia County Property Appraiser’s Office staff, and the state continued to conduct damage assessment in flooded areas.

WELL-BEING CHECKS

Emergency officials had teams in the field today in areas they are concerned may have additional flooding due to the rising of the St. Johns River. The teams visited homes along Osteen-Maytown Road from Smith Road to Maytown Spur Road, in the Lake Ashby area, Stone Island, Leisure World Mobile Home Park, and the east river-side of DeBary including Dutchman’s Bend. Public safety staff visited nearly 750 homes Tuesday and Wednesday. At Maytown Road, the water appears to be receding and some areas are starting to dry out, according to Volusia County Fire Services Deputy Chief Kathy Weaver, coordinator of the teams. Residents were advised of potential flooding from the St. Johns River.

SHELTERS

• An American Red Cross shelter is open for DeBary residents at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 26 Dogwood Terrace, DeBary.

• Two Red Cross chapters are working together to operate a shelter for residents affected by flooding in Volusia County that includes the Osteen-Maytown and Stone Island areas. Florida’s Coast to Coast Chapter and the Central Florida Chapter have a shelter at the First Baptist Church, 325 First St., Geneva.

RED CROSS ASSISTANCE

• Residents with flood damage can contact the American Red Cross at (866) GET-INFO for assistance.

HOTLINE

• The county’s Citizen Information Center (CIC) closed at 5 p.m. today.

DEBARY

• The city’s Citizen Information Center closed at 5 p.m. today. The CIC will be open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27. The number for the public to call is (386) 668-2040.

• Motorists are asked to use extreme caution on the roads. People who don’t need to be near flooded areas should avoid them because they could hinder response personnel and the flooded areas are dangerous.

DELTONA

• The City of Deltona has 14 pumps working to remove flood waters from homes and streets. The Public Works and Utilities director estimates 19 homes still have water inside.

• Residents who have stormwater issues should call the city's Public Works Department at (386) 878-8950. Residents with questions related to septic tanks or drinking water should call Deltona Water customer service at (386) 575-6800. After 5 p.m. residents should call the city's 24-hour communications center at (386) 860-7177.

• The City of Deltona's Public Works Department began picking up excessive amounts of yard waste and tree debris caused by Tropical Storm Fay today and will continue through Sept. 3. Debris that remains after Sept. 3 is the responsibility of the homeowner.

• Residents should place debris curbside for collection. Residents should not include any construction or demolition debris from homes or buildings in their piles even if they are the result of Fay.

• Residents with questions about debris removal should call (386) 878-8100.

FLORIDA HOSPITAL FISH MEMORIAL

• Florida Hospital Fish Memorial, Orange City, is fully operational. According to hospital officials, the water level of the retention pond is receding. Fish Imaging, used for outpatient imaging, is closed temporarily due to storm cleanup. Fish Imaging's patients are being seen in the main hospital (mammography imaging excluded).