Daytona Beach residents fed up with persistent flooding

DAYTONA BEACH — A week ago, the nation's attention was zeroed in on Tropical Storm Nicole which sent pools, hot tubs, patios and even houses tumbling into the Atlantic Ocean in Wilbur-by-the-Sea and Daytona Beach Shores.

Daytona Beach suffered from beach erosion as well, but at a packed City Commission meeting Wednesday night, residents had another issue on their minds.

They stepped up to the lectern one after another for two hours to talk about the flooding during both Tropical Storm Ian at the end of September and Nicole last week that overtook their houses, apartments and businesses.

"Everything I had, everything I owned, is on the curb," said Stephanie Jones, a Russell Drive resident who was still trying to line up flood insurance when the tropical storms swept through Daytona Beach.

Daytona Beach also suffered severe oceanfront erosion at more than two dozen properties, including several homes and hotels such as the Daytona Grande Resort.

SMA Healthcare CEO Ivan Cosimi said his nonprofit's headquarters building on the northeast corner of Palmetto and Magnolia avenues was hit with $620,000 in damage and losses when Hurricane Irma struck in 2017. Now SMA is struggling with another $350,000 in damage from Tropical Storms Ian and Nicole.

Another man at Wednesday night's meeting said he was weeks away from restoring the first floor of a 100-year-old building on Orange Avenue when Ian roared into town. The man said he tackled the $14,000 worth of damages to the building he leases to several businesses because he couldn't afford to hire someone.

While dozens of home and business owners vented their frustrations, many of them also told commissioners they want to work with the city to find a definitive solution. They want to end the flooding that has repeatedly inundated the blocks closest to the riverfront and the neighborhoods just east of Nova Road.

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"I truly believe this is the commission that's going to bring about a change," said City Commissioner Paula Reed, whose zone includes the flood-prone Midtown neighborhood.

"I want you to know that we do care, that we are going to do everything we possibly can to bring about a change," Reed said as she looked out at the people gathered inside the commission chambers. "I don't know what that change is going to be, but I think we're ready for the fight."

Daytona's new quest to tackle flooding

The city made a push to tackle the flooding problem in 2009, when more than 20 inches of rain fell over a six-day period. But so far Daytona Beach hasn't been able to pull together $3 million for the in-depth study needed to come up with a flood mitigation plan, much less the tens of millions of dollars needed to create a new drainage system.

The city is willing to put up $1.5 million for the study, and has made requests in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., for the other $1.5 million every year since 2009. The city hasn't been able to line up the money, but top officials at City Hall say they're embarking on a new quest to get funding from higher levels of government.

Mayor Derrick Henry is sending a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis this week asking Florida's top elected official to visit Daytona Beach soon to see what the city suffered on both sides of the Halifax River.

DeSantis did spend time in Wilbur-by-the-Sea last week, and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio visited Daytona Beach while floodwaters from Ian were still receding.

Henry has also called U.S. Sen. Rick Scott's office in hopes of setting up a meeting, and when he goes to Washington, D.C., in January he said "we'll knock on every door."

"We simply do not have $100 million to fix the flooding," Henry said. "We'll need federal intervention."

The city has been able to dedicate $2.5 million in state and federal funds to a new grant program for Daytona Beach residents and business owners hit hard by Tropical Storms Ian and Nicole.

The city will award grants of up to $9,000 per household and $3,000 per business. Homeowners can use the money for property insurance deductibles, flood and mold remediation costs, lodging expenses incurred by displaced households, relocation expenses and other housing-related costs such as mortgage payments.

Renters can get assistance with rent and deposits. Businesses with fewer than 50 employees can use the grant money for repairs, lost revenue, insurance deductibles and replacing spoiled food.

The money will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis. Those who apply will be instructed about income limits ranging from $40,950 to $101,760 which are based on the number of people living in a household.

The city is holding two public forums this month where residents and business owners can ask questions and apply for the grants. The first meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. today, Nov. 17, at Allen Chapel's Fellowship Hall located at 580 W. George Engram Blvd.

The second meeting is slated for 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 22 at Peabody Auditorium, located at 600 Auditorium Blvd.

'I had to climb out of a window'

Some residents don't like the amount of documentation applicants have to provide to apply for one of the city grants. The city is requiring homeowners to show mortgage statements, picture IDs for every household member over 18, receipts for things like mold remediation expenses, last month's paystubs for all employed household members and current bank statements.

Renters have to provide active lease agreements, picture IDs and copies of Social Security cards for all household members over 18, utility bills, last month's bank statements and pay stubs.

Russell, the woman who told commissioners she lost nearly everything to the floodwaters of Tropical Storm Ian, was dismayed to find out she doesn't qualify for a city grant because she has more than $15,000 saved and earns more than $61,000.

She said she suffered and lost just as much as her neighbors who earn less money.

"I had to climb out of a window to get out of my house," she said.

Reed told residents the city is just following the rules required to award the state and federal funds.

"Help us help you," she said. "The city wants to give you money. We're going to assist you in any way we can."

'We're all united in this cause'

City Commissioner Quanita May, whose Magnolia Avenue business was caught in the flooding as well, said she's been talking with residents and business owners, fielding their questions and trying to help them through their flooding woes.

Henry has been in touch with both state and federal officials as he tries to get the city help.

"I want you to know from the depths of my heart we're with you as a commission," the mayor said. "We're all united in this cause."

Dan Peterson, a Beach Street business owner, moved from South Florida to Daytona three months ago thinking he was escaping severe storms. He's also been shocked to see alleys between Beach Street buildings with ankle-deep water after routine heavy rains.

He asked city commissioners to "think big" to solve Daytona Beach's chronic flooding problems.

"The water used to be almost waist-high in Miami Beach," he said. "The drainage problem can be solved. Yeah, it costs a lot of money, but it can be done."

Fred Cleveland, general manager and owner of the Kress building on Beach Street, said the 40 merchants who use his building are "suffering mightily" with storms and the business closures that follow while repairs are made.

Cleveland said he wants the city "to find an end to the continual flooding."

"Help us get out of this mess," he said.

Beach Street apartment building owner Russell Bryant said 184 of his 448 apartments flooded with Ian and Nicole. Now 178 of his tenants have to relocate.

A man with a business at Orange and Palmetto avenues said the area becomes a lake every time there's heavy rain and customers won't come until the water recedes.

He said if the problem isn't fixed "there just will be no businesses downtown."

A woman who lives in a Beach Street-area condominium asked commissioners, "What can we do to help so that we can all live here?"

You can reach Eileen at Eileen.Zaffiro@news-jrnl.com

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Beach is on a quest to end its chronic flooding problem