Nicole update 16: Coastal permits, DRC, damage assessment, unsafe buildings, beach safety, CIC, boat ramps

Posted On: November 14, 2022

Permitting and coastal updates (video news release for media)

As a video to accompany this news release, Growth and Resource Management Department Director Clay Ervin and Coastal Division Director Jessica Fentress provide information and updates regarding emergency coastal permitting and repairs. Media outlets can download the video at https://www.dropbox.com/s/3ub4iocv9j3xy0b/11.14.22_Hurricane%20Nicole%20VNR%20V2.mp4?dl=0

Damage assessment

As of 2:30 p.m. today, the Volusia County Property Appraiser’s Office has assessed $522,811,108 in damages resulting from Hurricane Nicole. The damage assessment is ongoing, and this is not the final assessment. The current assessment includes 496 structures across the county. Assessed structures by property type include:

• Single-family: 229
• Commercial: 216
• Condominiums: 30
• Two-family: 14
• Government: 3
• Multi-family: 3
• Mobile home: 1

Coastal buildings declared unsafe

County and municipal building inspectors have declared the following buildings to be unsafe and should not be entered until further notice:

• Hawaiian Inn, 2301 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (5 stories)
• Holiday Inn Express, 3301 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (11 stories)
• South Shore Motel, 3225 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (3 stories)
• White Surf Condo, 3555 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (7 stories)
• Grande Coquina Condo, 3333 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (22 stories)
• Flamingo Inn, 2011 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (3 stories)
• Lexington Hotel, 2323 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (6 stories)
• Marabella Condo, 3343 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (7 stories)
• Ocean Court, 2315 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (2 stories)
• OPUS Condo, 2071 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (11 stories)
• Pirate’s Cove, 3501 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (7 stories)
• Sanibel Condo, 3799 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (11 stories)
• Sand and Surf, 2535 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (2 stories)
• Sherwin Condo, 2555 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (19 stories)
• St. Kitts Condominium, 2855 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (6 stories)
• Tropic Shores Resort, 3111 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (11 stories)
• Curran Shores North, 3615 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (2 stories)
• Las Brisas Condominiums, 3001 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach (the two easterly oceanfront buildings) (3 stories)
• Sea Coast Gardens II Condominiums, 4151 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach (5 stories)
• Sea Dunes Sand Dollar, 4305 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach (2 stories)
• Sea Dunes Nautilus, 4365 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach (2 stories)
• Pieces of Eight, 4375 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach (3 stories)
• Ponce Inlet Villas, Building B, 4421 S. Atlantic Ave., Ponce Inlet
• Racing’s North Turn, 4511 S. Atlantic Ave., Ponce Inlet

In addition to these buildings, private residencies have also been declared unsafe, with seven in Ponce Inlet, three in New Smyrna Beach and one in Daytona Beach Shores. Wilbur-by-the-Sea has 29 properties that have sustained damage, with 17 deemed unsafe. Again, the assessment is ongoing, and this is not the final assessment.

There has been one property in the Bethune Beach area that has been deemed unsafe. However, there are potentially more properties in this area that are unsafe, but due to sand obstruction over the roads, officials have yet to inspect such properties. As soon as the roads are passable, an assessment of the remaining properties will be conducted.

As assessments continue, additional buildings and properties may be deemed unsafe. Residents and visitors may contact their local building official’s office to determine if a structure is safe.

Coastal buildings declared safe

County and municipal building inspectors have inspected and deemed the following buildings, once listed as unsafe, as now safe and residents may now return:

• Twin Towers North, 3311 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (18 stories)
• Twin Towers South, 3315 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (18 stories)
• Castaways Beach Resort, 2043 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (7 stories)
• Towers Grande, 2055 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (15 stories)
• Curran Shores South, 3641 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (2 stories)
• Dimucci Tower, 3797 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (7 stories)
• Sunglow Resort, 3647 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores (10 stories)

Residents should always contact their local building official to determine if a property has been deemed safe before reentry.

Beach safety

Residents and visitors are still strongly discouraged from visiting the beach due to unfavorable conditions. Waves and rip currents, as well as debris, still pose a significant threat, and coastal structures, such as piers and walkways, still need to be fully assessed for integrity. As a reminder, just because there are no visual signs of damage to a structure does not mean it is safe.

Citizens Information Center

The Citizens Information Center closed at 5 p.m. today. Residents may contact Volusia County Emergency Management Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 386-254-1500 for storm related information.

Boat ramps

Due to hazardous conditions caused by flooding on the St. Johns River, boat ramps are closed until further notice. Violators will be subject to applicable penalties.

To report violations, contact the Volusia Sheriff’s Office non-emergency dispatch at 386-943-8276 for West Volusia or 407-323-0151 for Osteen.

Disaster Recovery Center update

FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) reopened today. The DRC will operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the Florida Department of Health-Volusia, 1845 Holsonback Drive, Daytona Beach. The DRC will no longer operate on Sundays.

Currently, only persons who sustained damage from Hurricane Ian may apply for FEMA assistance as the federal government has not declared Volusia County as a federal disaster zone resulting from Hurricane Nicole. Persons who sustained damage only from Hurricane Nicole should call Volusia County Emergency Management at 386-254-1500 to learn about available resources.

Instead of visiting the DRC, persons may apply for FEMA assistance at disasterassistance.gov, the FEMA mobile app or by calling 800-621-3362.