Hurricane Milton Recovery
FEMA Applications Now Available for Volusia County Residents Impacted by Hurricane Milton
Volusia County residents who were impacted by Hurricane Milton can now apply for federal assistance, as FEMA has officially declared the county a disaster area. This declaration unlocks individual and public assistance, as well as hazard mitigation, to help in recovery. Residents can submit their applications online at www.disasterassistance.gov, through the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 800-621-3362.
Operation Blue Roof and FEMA Bring Application Assistance to Orange City on November 1 (4:12 p.m. Oct. 30, 2024)
In response to damages caused by Hurricane Milton, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host Operation Blue Roof teams from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, in the parking lot at the Lowe's in Orange City, 901 Saxon Blvd.
Operation Blue Roof offers critical, fiber-reinforced sheeting for affected residents, helping protect homes and allowing them to remain safe while awaiting permanent repairs. This service, provided at no cost to eligible residents, plays a vital role in preserving property, minimizing temporary housing needs, and accelerating community recovery.
Residents affected by Hurricane Milton can also apply for Operation Blue Roof assistance online at www.blueroof.gov or by calling 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258) through Thursday, Nov. 14.
In addition, FEMA representatives will be on-site to help residents complete applications for federal aid. This federal assistance can cover a range of needs, including temporary housing, home repairs, and other essential disaster-related expenses. For those unable to attend, FEMA applications are also available online at www.disasterassistance.gov, via the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 800-621-3362.
Volusia County Residents Affected by Hurricane Milton can Preregister for D-SNAP Beginning November 11 (8:40 a.m. Oct. 29, 2024)
Volusia County residents affected by Hurricane Milton can preregister for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits through the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) starting Monday, Nov. 11. This program offers food assistance to individuals and families impacted by the hurricane who are not already receiving benefits through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Residents can preregister online at www.myflfamilies.com/dsnap between Monday, Nov. 11, and Friday, Nov. 15. Those who preregister must also complete a phone interview, which will be held on certain days during the same week. Additional details about the phone interview process and in-person D-SNAP events will be published on the program’s website.
To qualify for D-SNAP, applicants must:
- Not currently receive regular food assistance through SNAP
- Have been living in Volusia County at the time of Hurricane Milton
- Have experienced a disaster-related loss, such as:
- Damage to their home or self-employment property
- Loss of food
- Reduction or loss of income
- Other disaster-related expenses
- Meet DCF’s established financial eligibility guidelines
- Provide documentation as required by DCF
Approved applicants will receive an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card by mail. This card can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, it cannot be used to buy alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or non-food items.
Individuals interested in applying for D-SNAP should visit www.myflfamilies.com/dsnap for detailed information on the program, eligibility criteria, and required documentation and to stay updated on the telephone interview process and upcoming in-person registration events.
Two Volusia County Comfort Stations to Close, Stone Island’s Location to Remain Open (1:15 p.m. Oct. 23, 2024)
Volusia County will close two of its three comfort stations due to low utilization rates while keeping the Stone Island location open as a safety measure in case demand increases. The Pierson Town Center and Road & Bridge Office comfort stations will cease operations at noon on Thursday, Oct. 24.
Initially opened on Friday, Oct. 18, to assist residents affected by Hurricane Milton, these stations have been accessible 24 hours a day, offering services such as restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities. The following locations will close:
- Pierson Town Center, 116 W. 1st Ave., Pierson
- Road & Bridge Office, 2560 W. State Road 44, DeLand
The Stone Island comfort station, 401 Stone Island Road, Enterprise, will continue to operate around the clock until further notice to ensure residents can access these services if needed.
Residents are reminded that FEMA has designated Volusia County a disaster area, making various forms of federal assistance available. Applications can be submitted online at www.disasterassistance.gov, through the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 800-621-3362.
Florida’s Hope Bus is in Volusia County this Weekend, Food Replacement Applications are also Due (11:50 a.m. Oct. 19, 2024)
The Florida Department of Children and Families’ Hope Bus will be stationed in the parking lot of the John H. Dickerson Heritage Library, 411 S. Keech Street, Daytona Beach, until 3 p.m. today, Oct. 19, and again from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. The Hope Bus is offering food, water, and other essential supplies to those impacted by Hurricane Milton. Onsite, Hope Navigators are available to provide personalized assistance to individuals and families in need.
The Hope Bus is part of the Activate Hope initiative, the emergency response arm of the Hope Florida Initiative. By bringing together the private sector, nonprofits, and government resources, Activate Hope helps Floridians recover and rebuild after natural disasters.
Today is also the deadline for Volusia County residents receiving SNAP who lost food due to Hurricane Milton to apply for food replacement. Applications must be submitted online at www.myflfamilies.com/milton. This is a separate initiative from the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP), which has not yet been released.
State of Florida Opens 24-hour Comfort Stations for Volusia County Residents (1:15 p.m. Oct. 18, 2024)
The State of Florida, in conjunction with Volusia County, opened three comfort stations for residents this week. Each site offers restrooms, showers, and laundry trailers. The stations are operational 24 hours a day at the following locations.
- Pierson Town Center - 116 W. 1st. Ave., Pierson
- Stone Island - 401 Stone Island Road, Enterprise
- Road & Bridge Office - 2560 W. State Road 44, Deland (access via Carlis Road)
Volusia County residents impacted by Hurricane Milton can also apply for federal assistance, as FEMA has declared the county a disaster area. This declaration unlocks individual and public assistance, as well as hazard mitigation, to help in recovery. Residents can submit their applications online at www.disasterassistance.gov, through the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 800-621-3362.
Volusia County Approved for FEMA Transitional Shelter Assistance (3:50 p.m. Oct. 17, 2024)
Volusia County has been approved for FEMA Transitional Shelter Assistance (TSA) in response to Hurricane Milton. This initiative offers short-term, non-congregate sheltering options for displaced survivors. The TSA program provides temporary accommodations, such as hotels and motels in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, to help survivors transition to more permanent housing solutions.
How to Register for TSA:
- Register for FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362 or visiting www.disasterassistance.gov.
- Eligible individuals will be informed about TSA eligibility and provided instructions for finding participating hotels.
- Find accommodations by visiting www.femaemergencyhotels.com or call the TSA Support Group at 1-866-863-8673.
Those who applied previously and did not indicate in their initial application that they needed shelter assistance must log back in to their account and update their profile to indicate shelter assistance is now required. Applicants will receive a notification seven days before the end of their TSA eligibility. This notice will be communicated via phone call, email, and/or text message, based on their selected method of communication during the disaster assistance application process.
If you do not have access to a computer or mobile device, please contact the Volusia County TSA Support Group by calling 1-866-863-8673 or email support@volusiacounty.gov.
Florida Department of Health in Volusia County Temporarily Waives Well Testing Fees (11:30 a.m. Oct. 17, 2024)
In response to the recent flooding caused by Hurricane Milton, the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County (DOH-Volusia) is waiving fees for bacteriological tests of private, residential potable wells for residents living in affected areas. This service will be available for the next couple of weeks.
Flooding can compromise the safety of well water, potentially introducing waterborne pathogens that pose serious health risks to both humans and pets. Residents can obtain a sampling kit and instructions from any of the following DOH-Volusia offices:
- Daytona Beach: 1845 Holsonback Drive
- New Smyrna Beach: 717 W Canal St.
- Orange City: 775 Harley Strickland Blvd., Suite 101
Samples should be returned with the resident's contact name, address, phone number, and email address for test results, which will be provided within 48 hours.
Please note that this fee waiver does not apply to new construction clearances. For further information, please contact the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County at 386-624-0483 or via email at vchdwellirr@flhealth.gov.
Volusia County Council Waives Fees for Applications, Permits, and Plan Reviews Related to Damage from Hurricane Milton (3:00 p.m. Oct. 16, 2024)
The Volusia County Council waives application, permit, and plan review fees for the repair and reconstruction of residential and commercial structures directly affected by Hurricane Milton during the October 15 meeting.
Additionally, the county will waive fees associated with the placement and installation of RV or mobile shelters, provided that a valid temporary housing permit is obtained. To qualify for the fee waiver, applicants must submit proof of damage. Acceptable forms of verification include:
- Photographs of the damaged property
- Written verification from an insurance adjuster
- Written verification from a licensed architect, engineer, or contractor
- Written verification from a county official
Available through April 30, 2025, the fee waiver only applies to the reconstruction or repair of structures returning to their previously permitted condition. Any additions or alterations to the original structure will require a separate permit, and all applicable fees will be assessed. If a variance is necessary for reconstruction, the applicant will be responsible only for the actual cost of due public and legal notices. There will be no administrative review fee for these requests.
To learn more about the permitting process or to apply for a permit, visit Permit Center (volusia.org) or call 386-736-5929.
Volusia County Launches Volunteer Effort to Assist Residents with Milton Recovery (4:05 p.m. Oct. 15, 2024)
Volusia County is organizing a community volunteer event to connect residents, businesses, organizations, and churches with local recovery efforts following Hurricane Milton. The event will pair volunteers with residents who need assistance with debris cleanup, tree limb removal, mucking out flooded areas, and other recovery tasks.
Volunteers are asked to arrive by 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Volusia County Agricultural Center, 3100 E. New York Ave., DeLand. Upon arrival, participants will check in, complete necessary paperwork, receive a safety briefing, and be matched with opportunities based on their skills and the community's needs.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves and any essential safety or work supplies, as they may go directly to a resident's home following the event. All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
Volusia County will provide additional information after the event for those interested in continuing to assist affected residents in the days ahead.
Residents can stay updated by downloading the Volusia Emergency Management app, following the County’s social media channels, or visiting www.volusia.org. Residents can also call the Citizens Information Center at 866-345-0345 until 5 p.m. today for storm-related inquiries.
Volusia County SNAP Recipients can Apply for Milton-Related Food Replacement (3:45 p.m. Oct. 15, 2024)
Volusia County residents who were receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits before Hurricane Milton and lost food due to the storm may be eligible for food replacement through the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). To qualify, applicants must be a current SNAP recipient and complete the application form on DCF’s website by Saturday, Oct. 19.
Residents eligible for SNAP replacement in Volusia County are not required to provide proof of a power outage exceeding four hours or other documentation of food loss.
Additionally, DCF has authorized SNAP recipients in Volusia County to use their SNAP EBT benefits to purchase hot foods from participating retailers until Friday, Nov. 15. Recipients should verify retailer participation before purchasing. Eligible foods include hot deli items, salad bars, and prepared sandwiches.
For more information about the SNAP benefit replacement and to access the online application, visit www.myflfamilies.com/milton.
This is a separate initiative from DCF’s Disaster Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (D-SNAP), which is not yet available.
Residents can stay updated by downloading the Volusia Emergency Management app, following the County’s social media channels, or visiting www.volusia.org. Residents can also call the Citizens Information Center at 866-345-0345 until 5 p.m. today for storm-related inquiries.
Citizens Information Center Remains Open (3:00 p.m. Oct. 14, 2024)
The Citizens Information Center will be open until 5 p.m. today, Oct. 14, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15.
Residents can call 866-345-0345 for storm-related inquiries. They can also stay updated by downloading the Volusia Emergency Management app, following the County’s social media channels, or visiting www.volusia.org.
