BEACON PHOTO/AL EVERSON
Tropical Storm Fay problems keep popping up — Workers put more dirt on a spot where the earth collapsed Tuesday evening, Aug. 26, in DeBary. The sinkhole, measuring about 20 feet wide and about 50 feet deep, was located along Don E. Smith Boulevard in the DeBary Golf and Country Club. Approximately 20 homes were evacuated as a precaution, and the families were directed to an American Red Cross shelter at St. Ann's Catholic Church, 26 Dogwood Terrace. The hole was filled Wednesday morning, Aug. 27.
BEACON PHOTO/AL EVERSON
Sinkhole buddy — Not far from the first sinkhole, the pavement of Don E. Smith Boulevard appears to be sinking. Volusia County County Sheriff's deputies could not say if the depression in the asphalt and concrete is related to the main sinkhole, about 50 yards away. Don E. Smith Boulevard remained closed, with a detour through the DeBary Golf and Country Club.
FEMA center to open, other storm news
By Pat Hatfield
posted Aug 28, 2008 - 12:51:26pm
Local, state and federal government officials continue to look for ways to put West Volusia back together after Tropical Storm Fay.
Some will meet with U.S. Rep. John Mica , who called together representatives from the St. Johns River Water Management District, the Florida Department of Emergency Management, the Florida Department of Environmental Affairs, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Army Corps of Engineers to look at water, flooding, water-pumping and long-term solutions.
The round table will meet at 5 p.m. today, Thursday, Aug. 28, in the training rooms of the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center at 123 W. Indiana Ave. in DeLand. The meeting will be open to the public.
Engineers and officials from DeBary, Volusia County and Orange City are expected to attend, as well as some members of the County Council.
DeBary has been the area hardest-hit from the rains, with an estimated 138 homes affected by flooding. An estimate 14-20 inches of rain fell over the city in a two-day period last week. Now, 48 pumps are running, to bring down water levels. Officials are dealing with flooded neighborhoods, angry residents and a sinkhole.
FEMA disaster-relief center should be open by Saturday
A mobile FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is expected to be set up in West Volusia Friday or Saturday, Volusia County Council Member Pat Northey said. The center will open in the DeBary-Orange City area.
FEMA is sending one mobile center where residents and business owners affected by the flooding can seek assistance.
In the meantime, residents and business owners can call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to pre-register. Hearing- or speech-impaired individuals can also call 1-800-462-7585 (TTY).
Have the following information ready when you call for assistance:
• a phone number for return call;
• Social Security number;
• current mailing address;
• address of the damaged property;
• brief description of damages; and
• insurance information (if you have insurance).
FEMA community-relations teams will be in the area later this week.
Small Business Administration (SBA) loans will be available in the county to allow for immediate aid to the business communities and those not eligible for FEMA grant monies. SBA representatives will be at the Disaster Recovery Center when it opens.
"We are now moving into long-term recovery mode. It is important that while the rain is gone, we must be proactive with mosquitoes and other health-related issues associated with standing water," Council Member Northey said.
The Florida Health Department noted residents should avoid contact with flood water — it may be contaminated with bacteria and other contaminants. Limit exposure and shower in clean water after any exposure. Do not let children play in this water.
Governor's group in West Volusia today
Sharon Warriner of The Center for Business Excellence, the workforce development board of Flagler and Volusia Counties, said representatives from the Governor's Agency for Workforce Innovation are in West Volusia today assessing storm damage.
The agency is a core partner during disaster recovery and assists regions get approval for individual assistance and access to Disaster Unemployment Assistance. These services were approved for Volusia County.
Officials will target flooded residential areas of DeBary during their tour.
Orange City hospital open
Florida Hospital-Fish Memorial in Orange City is open and fully operational. According to hospital officials, the water level of the retention pond is receding. Fish Imaging, used for outpatient imaging, is closed temporarily due to storm cleanup. Fish Imaging's patients are being seen in the main hospital, except for mammography imaging.
School makeup days
The four makeup days from Tropical Storm Fay have not been finalized, although three days — Monday, Nov. 10, Monday, Nov. 24 and Tuesday, Nov. 25 — have been identified on the school district calendar for this purpose, school district spokeswoman Nancy Wait reported.
Staff and parents should reserve these dates for student instruction days. Once the district receives additional information from the Department of Education, makeup dates will become official.
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