(This story has been up to date with new data and photographs)
Hurricane Milton introduced widespread flooding and injury, claiming the lives of at the least 4 residents and prompting at the least 170 rescues in Volusia.
As of Friday, some had but to show to restoration mode as a result of flooding was nonetheless a difficulty. Much more flooding is predicted to come back for residents alongside the St. Johns River. Daytona Seaside’s Midtown neighborhood and different flood-prone areas have been hit onerous as soon as once more after going by flooding in Hurricane Ian in 2022.
The total image of the injury is not identified but. On Friday, injury experiences have been nonetheless coming in from each Volusia and Flagler counties.
Listed here are updates from Saturday in Volusia-Flagler.
SEE: Milton’s wrath in Volusia-Flagler
In want of a sizzling meal?These Daytona, Flagler space eating places are open or opening quickly
Volusia County officers: Keep away from the seashore for now
4:35 p.m. Individuals mustn’t go onto any of the seashores or into the ocean but due to hazards left by Hurricane Milton, in response to a Volusia County information launch.
Hazardous rip present situations exist, and the county’s Coastal Division hasn’t been in a position to take away particles from the water but due to tides. “The ocean is plagued with particles” that may critically harm folks, and a few coastal buildings similar to walkways and car entry factors “have been critically compromised” by the storm, in response to the county.
The Coastal Division hasn’t been in a position to look at and shut the entire unsafe buildings but.
“Although a construction could exhibit no visible indicators of harm, there could also be foundational or different underlying issues which will result in a collapse,” the county stated. “Once more, this isn’t the time to go to the seashore.”
Individuals who nonetheless select to stroll on the seashore ought to put on footwear to stop foot accidents, in response to the county. Additionally, residents and guests mustn’t cross barricades, fences or gates for closed areas.
— Sheldon Gardner
Some leisure areas in Volusia County are open
3:56 p.m. This is a Hurricane Milton standing replace from Volusia County authorities on leisure areas across the county:
- All coastal parks are open for regular hours apart from Lighthouse Level Park, which is able to reopen Sunday. Restrooms are unavailable at Toronita Park and Lighthouse Level Park till energy is restored. Port-o-lets can be found at each parks.
- All county-maintained boat ramps and trails are closed. County employees is eradicating particles and tree limbs. The DeBary Corridor Historic Website is closed.
- These parks and services have opened: Barkley Sq. Canine Park in DeLand, Candace R. Strawn/Lake Dias in DeLand, Ed Stone Park in DeLand (boat ramp is closed), Hope Place Play Yard in Daytona Seaside, Osteen Civic Middle in Osteen, River Breeze Park in Oak Hill (boat ramp is closed), Spring Hill Park in DeLand and Sylvester Bruten Park in DeLand.
- All preserves and conservation lands are open apart from these areas: Longleaf Pine Protect in New Smyrna Seaside and DeLand, Gemini Springs Conservation Space in DeBary and Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Protect in Port Orange.
Some elements of the county are nonetheless coping with flooding.
— Sheldon Gardner
Volusia Sheriff’s Workplace, Fireplace Rescue assist older lady and her cats depart Samsula property
3:21 p.m. Authorities from Volusia County Fireplace Rescue and the Volusia Sheriff’s Workplace rescued an older lady and her two cats from her dwelling in Samsula on Saturday afternoon. Flooding continues to be a difficulty within the space. The lady was alone and had been with out energy for a number of days.
— Nadia Zomorodian and Sheldon Gardner
Palm Coast urges folks to ensure contractors are licensed
2:54 p.m. Individuals ought to be sure any contractor they use for Hurricane Milton repairs is correctly licensed, town of Palm Coast warned residents in a information launch.
Selecting a correctly licensed contractor is important to keep away from potential scams and guarantee high quality work, town stated. Residents needs to be significantly cautious of door-to-door solicitors providing fast fixes or offers that appear too good to be true.
Additionally, it is best to make use of a neighborhood contractor who’s well-known in the neighborhood, town stated.
“By no means make a fee with no written contract,” in response to town. “Make sure the contract contains the contractor’s license quantity and browse all agreements totally earlier than signing. Don’t hesitate to ask questions till you totally perceive the phrases.”
If your private home or enterprise has suffered injury, take photographs and get in touch with your insurance coverage firm.
Town of Palm Coast is waiving allow charges for many restore and reconstruction work associated to Hurricane Milton, the discharge said.
Individuals can discover out whether or not a contractor is licensed by myfloridalicense.com or the Native Enterprise Search Software at palmcoast.gov.
— Ashley Varese
1000’s nonetheless with out energy in Volusia County
2:30 p.m. Energy was nonetheless out for 80,723 utility prospects in Volusia County as of two p.m. on Saturday, in response to a Volusia County information launch.
This is the breakdown by supplier:
- Clay Electrical: 114 prospects
- Duke Power: 25,000 prospects
- Florida Energy & Mild: 49,710 prospects
- NSB Utilities Fee: 5,899 prospects
Listed here are the numbers to name for assist:
- Clay Electrical: 888-434-9844
- Duke Power: 800-228-8485
- Florida Energy & Mild: 800-468-8243
- NSB Utilities Fee: 386-427-1366
― Sheldon Gardner
Mass elimination of Hurricane Milton particles forward for unincorporated Volusia
1:49 p.m. Volusia County is getting ready for a “mass particles elimination operation” for households in unincorporated areas and alongside county-maintained roads beginning on Oct. 18, in response to a county authorities information launch.
The county issued particles pointers for residents in these areas this afternoon:
- Convey storm particles to the general public proper of method, which extends from the road to the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole, or easement. Do not place particles on the street. Maintain particles away from drainage ditches, inlets, mailboxes, and energy traces, if doable. Do not cowl storm drains or block hearth hydrants.
- Arrange separate piles for vegetative particles (leaves, branches, and minimize bushes), development and demolition particles (constructing supplies, carpet, furnishings, fences, drywall) and home equipment and white items (fridges, dishwashers, washing machines, stoves).
- Do not place vegetative particles in plastic yard waste luggage. The storm particles elimination contractor will depart bagged particles for weekly residential yard waste assortment because the storm particles contractor can’t get rid of plastic luggage.
- Regular assortment guidelines will apply to folks with a small quantity of yard particles.
- Combined particles piles, electronics, and family hazardous waste is not going to be collected. Volusia residents can get rid of them freed from cost on the Tomoka Landfill or West Volusia Switch Station.
People who find themselves hiring their very own contractors to deal with massive particles or family injury should be sure the contractor is licensed and insured. Individuals can examine for the standing of a license at myfloridalicense.com.
Contractors should take all particles to the Tomoka Landfill in Port Orange at 1990 Tomoka Farms Street or the West Volusia Switch Station in DeLand at 3151 E. New York Ave. They’re legally required to get rid of particles correctly and might’t place it in the fitting of method.
The county plans to announce particulars a few hotline for storm-debris questions.
The Tomoka Farms Street Landfill (7 a.m. to five:30 p.m. this weekend) and West Volusia Switch Station (7 a.m. to five p.m. this weekend) are open each days this weekend. Each services are usually open on Saturdays. The county added Sunday this weekend to assist residents with particles cleanup.
Individuals who stay in a city or metropolis ought to contact their native authorities about particles elimination.
― Sheldon Gardner
Sand nonetheless out there to assist West Volusia residents with anticipated river flooding
12:58 p.m. Volusia County is providing as much as 10 free sandbags per family to communities alongside the St. Johns River in West Volusia. These areas are anticipated to see extra flooding because the river crests.
A self-service sandbag station is open from 9 a.m. to three p.m. right now and Sunday on the DeLand Street and Bridge Facility at 2560 W. State Street 44.
“There’s loads of sand for West Volusia residents to organize for the St. John’s River cresting that can happen within the subsequent few days,” Volusia County Chair Jeff Brower stated in a Fb publish.
He suggested residents to deliver assist: “It is almost inconceivable to fill a bag by your self.”
The St. Johns River is predicted to crest between Oct. 22-25, and Volusia County urged folks to organize for flooding.
― Sheldon Gardner
Orange Metropolis asks residents to restrict water use it repairs carry stations
12:31 p.m. Orange Metropolis residents who’re hooked as much as metropolis sewer ought to restrict water use to emergency wants solely due to Hurricane Milton’s affect on the wastewater system, town stated in a Fb publish on Saturday morning.
“Decreasing your (dwelling’s) inside water utilization will help in defending our infrastructure throughout this time,” town stated. “We’ll maintain you up to date as situations enhance and regular water utilization can resume.”
Individuals who aren’t positive if they’ve septic or metropolis sewer ought to examine their water payments for clarification.
― Sheldon Gardner
NSB residents can take Milton particles to drop-off website
12:03 p.m. New Smyrna Seaside residents who’re ready to have particles from Hurricane Milton picked up can as a substitute take it to a drop-off website starting Sunday, town introduced Saturday morning on social media.
The positioning might be open for seven days, beginning Sunday, from 8 a.m. to five p.m.
Residents should present proof of residency after they present up at 495 Industrial Park Ave. to get rid of their particles.
As soon as previous the gate, residents can “unload your haul into separate areas for yard particles and development and demolition waste,” town stated.
“To permit sufficient time for everybody to assemble their storm particles, extra assortment vehicles from catastrophe response contractor Phillips & Jordan, Inc. will start their first full sweep of town on Monday, Oct. 21.”
Stable waste assortment makeups days for Thursday and Friday, town reminded, are this Saturday and Sunday. Common assortment routes will resume on Monday, Oct. 14.
― Brenno Carillo
Volusia-Flagler included in federal catastrophe declaration, opening the door for extra help
11:33 a.m. President Joe Biden has permitted a post-landfall main catastrophe declaration for Florida following Hurricane Milton, ushering in additional federal funding for restoration.
In a Saturday morning announcement, the White Home stated Biden had declared on Friday {that a} main catastrophe exists within the state. Class 3 Hurricane Milton mauled Florida after making landfall in Sarasota County late Wednesday.
That makes federal funds out there within the following Milton-affected counties: Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Seaside, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia.
They’re going to even be out there for the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida.
This implies the state and native governments can use the funds on a cost-sharing foundation for particles elimination and different emergency work. Different help can embody “grants for short-term housing and residential repairs, low-cost loans to cowl uninsured property losses, and different packages to assist people and enterprise house owners recuperate from the consequences of the catastrophe,” the White Home announcement stated.
Residents and enterprise house owners who sustained losses can apply for help at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 or by utilizing the FEMA App. Individuals utilizing a relay relay service, similar to a video relay service, may give FEMA the quantity for that service.
—Douglas Soule, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida
Near 400 houses in Flagler had some Hurricane Milton injury as of current replace
11:25 a.m. Flagler County Emergency Administration Director Jonathan Lord shared an replace on damages from Hurricane Milton in a web based press briefing on Friday afternoon.
He stated 305 houses in Flagler County have been “affected,” which means that they had lower than 20% injury; 69 houses had minor injury of 20% to 40% injury; and 17 had main injury, which is 40% to 80% injury. None have been decided to be destroyed, and 27 couldn’t be assessed, Lord stated.
“So our objective now could be to then flip these residential figures by the state as much as FEMA to allow them to contemplate us for particular person help,” Lord stated.
― Frank Fernandez
Volusia County asks residents to submit injury photographs
10:55 a.m. Volusia County officers are urging residents to submit photographs and details about the injury from Hurricane Milton by a web based kind on the county’s web site or by the Volusia Emergency Administration app.
“This course of, which enhances the efforts of crews actively surveying injury in the neighborhood, will assist assess whether or not the world qualifies for federal catastrophe help,” in response to a county information launch.
Individuals can add 5 photographs per submission of each inside and exterior property injury. Individuals could make a number of submissions in the event that they need to add extra photographs.
Individuals can fill out the shape right here: Volusia County’s Citizen Harm Kind.
Individuals who cannot submit the photographs on-line can name the Residents Info Middle at 866-345-0345 to report injury. The middle is open till 5 p.m. right now.
― Sheldon Gardner
Crews responded to a medical incident in flooded a part of Flagler County
10:35 a.m. A staff of Volusia County and Ormond Seaside first responders traveled three miles in a high-water car to get to a person having a medical situation on Saturday in southern Flagler County close to the Volusia County line. Flooding continues to be blocking roads in some areas.
― Nadia Zomorodian
Some roads have been nonetheless flooded or blocked in Deltona
9:57 a.m. Town of Deltona shared an inventory of streets on Friday that folks ought to keep away from due to excessive water or blockages. Town was nonetheless assessing the injury.
“The Metropolis of Deltona takes pleasure within the security and well-being of the touring public,” town stated in a Fb publish. “We’ll open roads as quickly as it’s secure to cross. Whereas closed, we ask that you simply depart the indicators, barricades and cones in place, and don’t vandalize or destroy.”
― Sheldon Gardner
Volusia Animal Companies crews rescued animals throughout Hurricane Milton
9:22 a.m. Volusia County’s Animal Companies crews helped rescue animals and maintain them secure throughout the storm, a Fb publish from the group stated.
“From last-minute calls of canines chained to bushes within the storm, discovering crates for many who couldn’t carry them, choosing up deserted pets final minute and getting them to security, and strolling pets for many who have been unable, this small Animal Companies staff has been embodying what it means to be a ‘public servant,’ the publish stated.
The groups’ work has included choosing up stray animals, offering provides and getting animals to security.
“Our staff continues to be working at our pet-friendly shelter into the weekend till the ultimate pet will get to go dwelling! That’s our promise to you Volusia County,” the publish says.
Volusia County Animal Companies might be reached at 386-248-1790.
― Sheldon Gardner
