Tropical Storm Ian damage $285 million in Volusia; officials survey Flagler coast

Property damage assessment totals in Volusia County from Tropical Storm Ian climbed to $285.4 million as of Monday morning, according to data from the Volusia County property appraiser's office.

The tally includes commercial property, single-family homes, mobile homes, condos, government buildings and multi-family homes.

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The category with the most damage so far is single-family homes at $166.3 million. Second to that is commercial properties, with $97.7 million in damage.

Volusia County and Flagler County residents are facing a lengthy recovery from Tropical Storm Ian.

Here are some recent updates from county officials and other sources:

Ian impacts planned dune restoration project in Flagler Beach

A contingent of officials from the Army Corps of Engineers and some local Flagler County officials surveyed beach erosion and flooding from Ian along Flagler County’s coastline, according to a press release from the county.

The Army Corps of Engineers already has plans for a more than $17 million project for dune restoration for 2.6 miles from South Sixth Street to South 28th Street in Flagler Beach.

Flagler County Engineer Faith Alkhatib said in a phone interview on Monday that the 2.6-mile project will now require more sand due to the erosion caused by Ian. The project is funded by the federal government and the Florida Department of Transportation.

The storm also washed away a considerable amount of sand from the rest of Flagler County’s coastline.

Alkhatib estimated that 300,000 cubic yards of sand had been lost from a five to six mile stretch of coastline north of Beverly Beach, which is a small town just north of Flagler Beach.

“We did lose a lot of sand,” Alkhatib said. “A lot of dunes have been eroded because of Ian.”

That does not include the Hammock Dunes Owners Association area or Washington Oaks State Park.

Flagler County also sent a letter dated Oct. 6 to the Corps of Engineers asking for an expedited study, funded by the federal government, on how to protect Flagler County’s coast, given the effects of Hurricanes Matthew, Irma and Ian.

Faster permitting approved for some emergency repairs in Volusia County

Property owners along the coast recovering from Tropical Storm Ian should have easier access now to making a limited number of emergency repairs.

The Florida Department of Environmental protection has given Volusia County officials authority to permit some temporary work to prevent further erosion.

"This includes placement of beach-compatible sand, installation of sandbags, and the installation of sheet piles or boards without tiebacks or caps," according to a news release. "Volusia County is expediting permitting of these emergency measures."

County officials are asking residents who want to make a temporary emergency repair to contact Volusia County Environmental Management at 386-238-4668 or go to volusia.org under the beach cleanup and repair information section. County officials can process permit applications online and in person.

The FDEP is the main permitting agency for construction of coastal armoring and structural repairs for oceanfront property, such as "the placement of coquina boulders and other rock revetments, repair (and) reconstruction of seawalls, and permanent shoring of buildings," according to the county.

For structural repairs or permanent improvements, people can contact the FDEP at 850-245-2094 or 850-245-8570 or at floridadep.gov under the Coastal Construction Line Emergency Permitting section.

Flood insurance for Volusia residents

County officials also released updates on the National Flood Insurance Program

People who haven't yet filed a claim for flood damage and have a National Flood Insurance Program policy should start filing now.

"Evacuated policyholders can still start their claim and provide specifics later, once local officials say it’s safe to return home," according to a county news release.

To start a claim, people should contact their flood insurance agent or company. People who don't know their insurance agent or company can call 877-336-2627.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is also providing a 90-day grace period for people who need to renew their policies, according to the release.

"There are NFIP policies in Florida where the renewal date has passed, but policy holders may be able to take steps that will reinstate their policy and receive coverage for flood damage from Hurricane Ian. ... The extension applies to policies with renewal dates beginning Aug. 25, 2022, through and including Oct. 23, 2022."

People with a renewal date within that range should contact their insurance agent or company.

Other flood insurance updates from the county:

• The National Flood Insurance Program "has extended the proof of loss requirement for policyholders who suffered flood damage from Hurricane Ian from the standard 60 days to 365 days from the date of loss."

• "The NFIP also authorized its Write Your Own insurance company partners and the NFIP Direct to pay claims based on the adjuster’s report, without requiring policyholders to sign a proof of loss. When a policyholder seeks additional payment for any reason, they may still submit a signed proof of loss to the insurer. Policyholders can submit a signed proof of loss later if they need to request an additional payment or if they disagree with the adjuster’s report."

Transitional Sheltering Assistance OK'd for Volusia

The state has made funds available to pay for temporary shelter for people affected by Tropical Storm Ian in Volusia County, according to a news release from Gov. Ron DeSantis' press office.

People who have applied for disaster assistance may be eligible to have FEMA pay for them to stay in a hotel or motel if they can't return to their homes and can't get their housing needs met by insurance, shelters, rental assistance from FEMA or through other organizations.

People can apply for FEMA assistance at disasterassistance.gov or by calling the disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362, or using the FEMA mobile app.

FEMA officials helping with Disaster Survivor Assistance

Volusia County residents might see officials with FEMA's Disaster Survivor Assistance program out and about. They're traveling around the county to help people apply for disaster assistance and answer questions about the process, according to a Volusia County news release.

"Residents may receive support from DSA staff at their residence, work, shelter, hotel, or other places the household is residing," according to a Volusia County news release. "While not permitted to enter a home, staff may assist outside on the porch, sidewalk, driveway, or yard.

"DSA staff can review a resident’s materials on-site, provide information regarding their application status, assist with collecting documentation for the case file, and submit an application on the resident’s behalf. Additionally, DSA staff will provide referrals to other disaster relief programs for which they may qualify."

People who apply for FEMA assistance have to provide their name, date of birth, social security number and other personal information. The county is encouraging people to verify the credentials of the FEMA agent before speaking with them or giving out personal information.

"DSA staff are required to possess identification at all times and will present such identification upon introduction," according to the county. "FEMA does not charge fees for services."

Applying for SNAP disaster help in Volusia County

The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is available to provide food to Volusia County residents who were impacted by Tropical Storm Ian, according to a county news release. This effort is for people who are not already being helped through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

In addition to meeting income requirements, "applicants must have been living or working in Volusia County during Hurricane Ian, suffered a disaster-related loss such as damage to their home or self-employment property, loss of food, reduction or loss of income, or other disaster-related expenses," according to the county.

Volusia County residents can pre-register for D-SNAP Oct. 24-30. In-person events will also be held. Volusia County officials plan to release more information as the dates get closer. Program information is at myflfamilies.com/dsnap.

FEMA help available for houses of worship

Private nonprofits and houses of worship could quali for FEMA Public Assistance "to help pay for emergency protective measures, debris removal and restoration of facilities damaged by Hurricane Ian," according to a Volusia County news release.

For details, people can go to volusia.org/pin.

Helping neighbors affected by Tropical Storm Ian

People who want to help people recover from Tropical Storm Ian can sign up with the United Way. The nonprofit is looking for volunteers to help with mucking and tarping. For information, people can call Francine Martin at 386-341-4517 or by going to uwvfc.galaxydigital.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona area gets emergency repairs help for Ian damage