News Release: FEMA Awards Individual Assistance in Brevard County

FEMA AWARDS INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE
 

           Brevard County has received notification that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has amended its major disaster declaration to include the Individual Assistance program for those in Brevard County impacted by Tropical Storm Fay.

           The Individuals and Households Program is intended to help homeowners and renters affected by the disaster with housing needs and necessary expenses.

           Disaster Legal Services helps low-income victims get legal services to meet their disaster-related needs. Assistance typically provided by local lawyers includes help with insurance claims for doctor and hospital bills, loss of life or loss of property, preparing new wills and other legal papers lost in the disaster, help with home repair contracts and contractors and advice on problems with landlords.

           Disaster Unemployment provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the president. Disaster unemployment is not available to people who are eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits (under any state or federal law).

           Crisis Counseling Assistance provides services to disaster victims to help relieve grieving, stress or mental health problems caused by or aggravated by the disaster, both immediate and long-term.   

           Residents who have sustained damage as a result of Tropical Storm Fay should contact both their insurance company and FEMA. Registration should be made at 1-800-621-FEMA.

 

Source:  ”Brevard County Tropical Storm Fay News Release #37.”  Brevard County Emergency Management.   26 August 2008, 12:00 PM.   

The OneStorm Team: Signing Off for Now

Now that Fay has turned into a Tropical Depression, we’re going to wrap things up here at Tropical Storm Fay Resources.  If something major happens, we will post it, but otherwise, we’ve finished posting on the blog.   

We would like to thank those of you who contributed with comments or general information-  you’ve contributed to our cause of getting helpful information to those who need it!

For Brevard County residents, we will continue to leave the Brevard County Disaster Resources tab in the right corner, for post-disaster information you might need.  

We wish the best to those of you who have endured, or are still enduring, hardships because of Fay.  At OneStorm, you will find additional free resources, including hundreds of free, helpful articles – everything from how to cope with disaster to how to know which foods are safe after a power outage.   All of our resources are free of charge, and designed to help people before, during, and after a storm.   

As Fay has affected nearly the whole state, it has proven the importance of being prepared.   We would like to invite you to make a pledge to prepare, and create a free, easy-to-make, family disaster plan.   

When the next major storm brews, we will be posting on it.   As soon as we create the blog, we will post this information on the front page of Onestorm, under Hurricane Headlines.  

Best to all,

Heidi and Chris

Brevard County: Closed Roads Update

The following roads remain closed due to TS Fay:

• George King Blvd. east of Terminal 2 to Jetty Park and Shorewood Drive in Cape Canaveral
• Stratford Dr. and Victor Dr. in Cocoa
• Broadway Blvd. in Frontenac

All major roadways within Brevard County are clear and open for traffic. 

Source:  Brevard County Emergency Management.  24 August 2008, 6:54 AM.  

Leon County: The Latest on Road Closures and Flooded Areas

The Tallahassee Democrat reports the following flooded roads/areas and road closures:

Updated 8:21 A.M.

• Louvinia Drive and Williams Road are open to traffic after experiencing some problems with flooding Saturday, according to Shington Lamy, public information officer for the Leon County Emergency Operations Center.
• Tram Road remains closed at the Leon County and Jefferson County boundary.

Updated 7:50 A.M.

• The Ochlockonee River is expected to reach flood stage today. The river waters empty into Lake Talquin, so in response to the expected flooding, water is being let out of the dam at Lake Talquin.
• 

However, there is a good chance that letting water out of the dam will result in some flooding to the homes on Crooked Road, which is in the area below the dam, said Richard Smith, the director of Leon County’s Emergency Management.

The county will be notifying residents on Crooked Road if it looks like the area is indeed going to flood.
• 

Smith said water needs to be let out so that the water level doesn’t get so high it damages the dam. Also, if water levels are too high inside the lake, the houses on the lake’s banks will be flooded.


• Workers had let some water out prior to Fay’s arrival, but they’re having to let even more water out as a result of the heavy rains, Smith said.

Updated 6:34 A.M.

The Leon County Emergency Operations Center is reporting the following roads that have been closed due to flooding:



- County Road 12 between the Ochlockonee River bridge and Fairbanks Ferry Court.



- North Meridian from Lexington to Cloverdale.



-Bannerman at Tekesta.



- North Meridian at Rhoden Cove Road.



- Orchard Pond Road.

- Dayflower Road.



- W.W. Kelly at South Clydesdale.



- Fairbanks Ferry Road.



- Bucklake from Chaires to Baum.



- Baum from Bucklake to Capitola.



- Capitola Road.



- Forward Pass.



- Proctor Road, one miles south of Thomasville.



- Lakeview Road.



- Tram Road at the county line.

Updated 6:14 A.M.

• North Meridian Road near Bannerman Road has been barricaded off and is under water, according to reports from Tallahassee Democrat newspaper carriers. 


• Cedar Hill Road, Oak Grove Road and Oak Grove Plantation are unaccessible.

Updated 6:08 A.M.

According to reports from Tallahassee Democrat newspaper carriers, Woodville Road is under water.



The following areas are also unaccessible:



• Selena Road

• Kelly Loop
• 
Bright Star 



Updated 5:53 A.M.

• Most of the residents in the Timber Lake subdivision off Apalachee Parkway were evacuated yesterday, and according to Tallahassee Democrat carriers, the area is still badly flooded.



Updated 5:44 A.M.

The following areas are unaccessible, according to reports from Tallahassee Democrat newspaper carriers:



• 5000 Don Hunter Road, trees are down


• Wild Cherry Drive

• T-Bird Road
• 
Wax Myrtle Road
• 
Wax Myrtle Court

• Misty Dawn
• 

Limpkin Street

• Snail

• Heron

• Stonewood

• Strawhill Lane

• Delmar
• 
Courtney Lane

• Bartlett

• Privacy



Off Apalachee Parkway:

• 
Golden Pheasant Estate area

• Golden Pheasant Drive

• Weeping Willow Way

• Canopy Grove Lane
• 
Cedar Chase Way

• Upland Way
• 
Fox Chase Lane
• 
Game Bird Court



Off Williams Road:


• Washuntasun Road
• 
Cabin Hill Road

• Buttercup Way

• White Fence Way

• Sarah Ashley Court


Fitz Lane

In Havana:

• 
Jameson Road
• 
Forest Drive North
• 
Forest Circle North
• 

St. Marks, where Florida Highway Patrol troopers are blocking some areas.



5:28 A.M.

The following areas are still unaccessible, according to reports from Tallahassee Democrat newspaper carriers:

• Glendale Court 

• 1600 block of Paul Russell Road

• Nicholas Street
• 
Monday Street
• 
Monday Court
• 
Parrot and Sandpiper roads are barricaded.
• Jameson Road in Gadsden County is washed out.


• Areas around Monticello and Greenville are washed out.



In Woodville:

• 
Community Lane
• 
Community Road

• Laster Lane



Source:  ”Flooding, Traffic:  Louvinia, Williams Now Open.”  Tallahassee Democrat.  24 August 2008.  

 

Volusia County: Monitoring Continues of the St Johns River- Flooding Predicted as Early as Sunday

GENERAL INFORMATION

• 

Emergency officials are continuing to monitor local waterways and the St Johns River for flooding. The St Johns River is predicted to flood at various points in Volusia County as early as Sunday, Aug. 24.
Residents should continue to monitor the news media and take protective measures to secure their homes. Sandbags are available at multiple locations on the west side of the county. A complete listing of sandbag locations is listed online at Volusia.org, click on Tropical Storm Fay on the homepage.



SHELTERS

• The Red Cross shelter at the Tommy Lawrence Building, Volusia County Fairgrounds is closed. Anyone who needs emergency shelter can contact the Red Cross at (386) 226-1400.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

• Damage assessment teams from Volusia County and FEMA are expected to conduct preliminary damage assessments Monday.


CITIZENS INFORMATION CENTER

• The Volusia County Citizen Information Center (CIC) will close at 10 p.m. this evening and will be open for calls at 8 a.m. The number for the public to call is (866) 345-0345. 
 

Source:  ”Volusia County Tropical Storm Fay #43.”  Volusia County, Florida.  23 August 2008, 8:30 PM.  

Duval County Releases Updated Information for Residents

General Information

• At 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23, the Duval County Emergency Operations Center was scaled back to Level 2 activation.  City staff continue to evaluate and monitor the impact of Tropical Storm Fay.
• Solid waste collection, including recycling and bagged yard waste, will resume normally-scheduled operations on Monday.  Storm debris collection will begin on Tuesday.  Residents should place large storm debris in the public right of way (on the shoulder of the road), being careful not to obstruct storm drains, ditches or other drainage infrastructure.  Small debris, such as leaves and twigs, should be bagged, and will be picked up with normal yard waste on the regularly-scheduled collection day for each neighborhood.

From City Officials

• City officials are asking Duval County residents to assist with damage assessment from Tropical Storm Fay by reporting property damage. Residents should call 630-CITY (2489) to report flood, wind or debris-related damage to their homes, businesses and vehicles.  A full assessment of storm damage is important to recovery efforts, as federal and state recovery agencies require accurate and complete information to provide funding and assistance.

In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Fay, city officials offer the following guidelines to help residents recover:

• Prepare for debris cleanup by placing all storm debris in the right of way along the shoulder of the road. Please avoid placing debris near storm drains, ditches or other drainage infrastructure. 
• Storm debris collection will begin on Tuesday. Regularly scheduled garbage collection and recyclables will begin on Monday.
• Place smaller debris such as leaves, twigs and branches in a plastic bag and place with regular yard waste to be picked up on your scheduled day.
• Report storm damage to homes, businesses and other property to 630-CITY. The city needs this information in order to qualify for federal disaster recovery assistance.  Please understand that this does not mean that the city will clean up or repair the damage. Residents should contact their insurance companies for assistance.
• Continue to avoid standing water and take health precautions when cleaning up from flooding. If you come in contact with standing water, please bathe in warm, soapy water and practice appropriate hygiene.
• Call 630-CITY to track openings and closures.
  Call 630-0500 to report downed power lines.  
Call 358-8091 for information about shelters.  
Call 630-CITY for general information. 

Closures and Cancellations

• Hanna Park will be open Sunday for day use with limited camping sites.
• Huguenot Memorial Park and Kids Kampus will be closed Sunday.
• Southside Tennis Center CLAY courts will be closed, hard courts are available.
Boone Tennis Center will be closed tomorrow. 
• Senior Centers and Community Centers will not be available for rentals Sunday.
• The Jacksonville Zoo is closed.  

Shelter Information

• Emergency shelters in Duval County closed at 9 a.m Saturday. The American Red Cross opened a host shelter at Evangel Temple, located at 5955 Ramona Blvd. (The intersection of Lane Avenue and Ramona Boulevard).

Solid Waste

• The Trail Ridge Landfill is open 6 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

Resident Reminders

• Residents should place large storm debris curbside, but NOT in ditches, near storm drains or on fire hydrants, electrical boxes, water meters or around mailboxes.
Storm debris should be separated from normal household garbage and bagged grass clippings
• Vegetative storm debris should be separated from construction and demolition materials (flooded carpets, furniture, drywall, boards, etc.)


Timeline for Debris Removal

• Saturday, Aug. 23 
Resolved over 900 “tree-down”-impacted roadways citywide (in conjunction w/ JFRD). Continue to remove “tree-down” impacted roadways citywide. 
14 teams out Saturday and Sunday to quantify debris volume projections.
• Sunday & Monday, August 24-25 
Complete volume projections and estimate potential costs.  
Complete preparations for temporary debris storage and reduction sites
• Tuesday, Aug. 26 
Begin debris removal throughout city.

Transportation

• Saturday, JTA will operate using Sunday’s normal schedule, beginning at 7 a.m.  Service will also be provided to Special Needs individuals and dialysis patients on Connections. A decision has not been made about Sunday service. Residents may check the JTA Web site for updates and bus route schedules.
• For road information, residents may dial 511 from a cell or landline, say “Northeast Florida,” and be provided the latest road information.  It’s an interactive voice system; users can say what roadways they are interested in and the system will respond.  They can also go to www.jax511.com to see camera views and incident information.

Source:  ”Emergency Information.”  Duval County Emergency Management.   23 August 2008.  

 

Florida Power and Light: Messages for Flooded Communities

• We understand that this is a stressful situation and we are committed to restoring electricity as quickly as we can to the residents in this community.
• We have crews in the area and have begun work to assess and restore our system. 
• Please remember that if the electrical equipment or wiring between the meter and your home or business is damaged or water entered the premise, you may need an electrical inspection before power can be turned on.
• There may be damage that has to be repaired and inspections completed before we can restore power. 
• We’ll be working around the clock in cooperation with the local officials to make sure the necessary inspections occur so we can restore service safely and as quickly as possible.

Safety is our highest priority. Please follow these safety precautions: 

• Remember that water and electricity don’t mix. Never allow a power cord to become wet. 
• Stay far away from downed power lines, flooding and debris.
• Don’t walk in standing water and don’t venture out in the dark because you might not see a downed power line that could be energized and dangerous. If you see a downed power line, call 911 or call FPL at 1-800-4-OUTAGE.
• Be very careful around all electrical wires and equipment. If you have any doubts about your home electrical system or are unsure of how to proceed, call a professional, licensed electrician.
• Customers using a portable generator should check the manufacturer’s recommendations and follow them for proper use. If your plan includes operating a portable generator, be sure to set it up outside and connect appliances directly to it. Don’t allow the generator to come into contact with water. Please do not wire your generator directly to your breaker or fuse box, because the power you generate may flow back into power lines and cause injuries. Only a licensed electrician should connect a generator to a main electrical panel. Never operate a generator inside your home or even in the garage, and keep generators well away from open windows so exhaust does not enter your home or a neighbor’s home.

Q Can your crews work in and around water?

A As long as they can travel safely to their work sites, crews in bucket trucks can work on poles and overhead lines in and around wet areas. Our crews need to wait until waters recede before working on underground portions of our system.

Q Are you working now in neighborhoods where local officials have asked that FPL disconnect electric service for safety reasons?

A We will be reconnecting service in those neighborhoods as soon as the local authorities give us permission. If officials in your area have asked us to disconnect electric service for safety reasons, you will receive a phone call from FPL advising you of that fact.

 

 Source:  Brevard County Emergency Management.  23 August 2008, 4:03 PM.  

 

Brevard County: Red Cross Closes Melbourne Shelter, Starts Running Viera Park Location

The Space Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross in Brevard has closed its shelter at Sherwood Elementary School, 2541 Post Road in Melbourne and has transferred the remaining people staying there to another shelter at Viera Regional Park, 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson, Viera.

Viera Regional Park was formerly a special needs shelter, not operated by the Red Cross.

It has now been vacated and re-designated as a shelter for the general public and will be operated by the Red Cross for as long as needed.

A team of Red Cross disaster assessors have been in the area and Red Cross case workers have started the task of interviewing people affected by the storm and subsequent flooding to see what further Red Cross help can be given.

Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles have been traveling around the affected areas distributing water, snacks and clean-up kits to those in need.  They also offered tarpaulins and carried 5000 leaflets with advice about what to do if the electricity power goes off and safety tips on what to do when it comes back on.

 

Source:  Brevard County Emergency Management.  23 August 2008,  5:12 PM.

 

Brevard County: Florida Power and Light Restores All Power

Florida Power & Light advised as of 3 pm Saturday all power to Brevard County is essentially restored.

 

Source:  Brevard County Emergency Management.  23 August 2008, 4:24 PM.  

 

Important Press Release: Disaster Recovery Centers to Open Sunday in Brevard County

 

THE STATE OF FLORIDA

STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

CHARLIE CRIST, Governor

CRAIG FUGATE, State Coordinating Officer                                                                                                                         

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                    

August 22, 2008                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

Disaster Recovery Centers to Open in Brevard County


TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Residents of Brevard County who were affected by Tropical Storm Fay can go to a single location to apply to receive assistance from State and Local governments, non-governmental and faith-based organizations. Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) will open August 24, 2008 at 12:00 at the following locations:
 


• Barefoot Bay Community Storefront at 935 Barefoot Bay Boulevard
 Barefoot Bay, Fl, 32976


• Martin Luther King Jr. Library
 at 955 East University Boulevard
 Melbourne, Fl, 32901
 


The DRCs will be open Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. beginning Monday and until further notice.  
 


Residents affected by Tropical Storm Fay will have an opportunity to speak to local and state organizations at one location for information on disaster recovery.
 


“The opening of this disaster recovery center is the next step for state and local officials to assess and identify available resources for survivors of the epic flooding that has affected the state due to Tropical Storm Fay,” said Craig Fugate, the State Coordinating Officer.  “This coordinated effort by state and local officials, as well as representatives from volunteer organizations, to bring in people from the area who have been impacted is an effort to give hope to the survivors.”
 


Officials are encouraging all residents affected by the disaster to visit this location to identify what assistance may be available to them.  All individual needs will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine the best way to assist each person and their family. Trained staff will be available to provide one-on-one assistance.



Residents must bring a valid form of identification to register for assistance.
 


The State of Florida is committed to working closely with Brevard County officials to determine the unmet needs of the community and offer additional resources and assistance to meet those needs.  
 


For statewide disaster information and to find out how you can Get A Plan! for disasters, please visit; www.FloridaDisaster.org <http://www.floridadisaster.org/> .