Early estimate from county ‘windshield assessment’ totals more than $47 million
Just after 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, Rob Lewis, Sarasota County’s governmental affairs director, notified County Administrator Jonathan Lewis and other senior staff members via email that it appeared that President Joe Biden had signed the disaster declaration for which county leaders had been hoping.
On the morning of Aug. 11, Florida’s Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) made the news official: Florida had “secured approval of a major disaster declaration for Hurricane Debby from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The declaration includes Individual Assistance for impacted residents in Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Manatee, Sarasota, Suwannee and Taylor counties, FDEM reported.
“The FEMA Individual Assistance Program may be able to help impacted homeowners and renters with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs,” the release pointed out. Affected residents were told to apply by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov, using the FEMA App, or calling 800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. ET daily.
“FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits, so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies,” the news release explained.
In what is called a “Flash Report” that Sarasota County Government distributes to community leaders during a disaster, staff wrote on Aug. 12 that FEMA Disaster Assistance Teams were working in the “hardest-hit areas,” going door-to-door to assess situations and register residents for resources.
Member of those teams will be wearing neon FEMA vests, the report pointed out. Nonetheless, it cautioned, “When in doubt, ask for authentication. We encourage our community to stay safe while getting the resources they need.”
The county’s evening update on Aug. 13 said that 950 individuals in Sarasota County had applied in the past 48 hours for individual assistance through FEMA.
Moreover, that report pointed out, “As of 08/13/2024 Sarasota County Damage Assessment teams have not posted any residences as ‘Do Not Occupy’ due to the effects of Tropical Storm Debby. [Residents] who evacuated may return to their homes when safe to do so. Please consult with a design professional or contractor if you feel the home needs to be evaluated for any safety concerns.”
Anyone interested in just how long Tropical Storm Debby poured rain on Sarasota and Manatee counties may wish to watch a video that county Emergency Management Chief Sandra Tapfumaneyi provided for County Administrator Lewis on Aug. 8. He passed along the link to the county commissioners. It has a time elapse counter at the top: https://bmcnoldy.earth.miami.edu/tropics/debby24/Debby_3-8Aug24_REGIONAL.mp4
Types of help available from FEMA
County staff has provided more details about what FEMA is able to do for residents who have suffered damage from Tropical Storm Debby:
- “Home repair or replacement: Money to help residents repair or replace a home damaged by the storm.
- “Accessibility needs: Money to help those with a disability with specific repairs to make sure their home is accessible.
- “Privately owned roads, bridges and docks: Money for individuals whose only access to their home has been damaged by the storm.
- “Rental assistance: Money residents can use to rent housing if they are displaced from their home because of the disaster.
- “Hazard mitigation: Homeowners may receive additional funds for specific mitigation measure.
- “Money to help pay for lifesaving and life-sustaining items, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, diapers, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation.
- “Money to help with immediate housing needs if an individual cannot return to their home because of the storm.”
Initial damage estimates
Late in the afternoon on Aug. 13, county Communications Department staff released what it called “Estimated Initial Windshield Damage Costs” associated with Tropical Storm Debby.
The total was $47,100,734. Of that amount, $25.6 million was the figure attached to minor damage, while major damage was put at $12.9 million.
Moreover, a county Recovery Situation Report issued on Aug. 14 included the following estimates for damage to county property:
- Roads and bridges — $50,029,500.
- Parks and Recreation facilities — $2,733,500.
- Public buildings and equipment — $340,000.
- Public utilities — $728,500.
Further, the report said that from Aug. 4 through 8:30 a.m. Aug. 14, the county’s Contact Center had received 10,500 calls related to the storm. The three leading topics were solid waste — 1,577 calls; public works — 1,173 calls; and Planning and Development Services calls — 1,125.
As for Woodmere Park in Venice, which county staff opened last week as an evacuation center, the Recovery report noted that the facility’s capacity is 75. As of 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 14, the report indicated, 12 households with 22 adults, three children and three pets were present. The county had 13 staff members present to offer support, the report added.
County staff is continuing to encourage business owners who experienced problems as a result of the storm to complete the county’s Citizen Damage Survey here. “If you need assistance filling out this form, please call 311,” staff says.
The remaining closed road
As of the deadline for this issue of The Sarasota News Leader, county staff continued to point out that Harbor Drive to Caspersen Beach remains closed because of storm damage.
However, the repairs to North Casey Key Road were finished by the end of the workday on Tuesday, Aug. 13, staff said.
A county-produced video, released on Aug. 10, showed a crew at work on the segment of North Casey Key Road that Debby destroyed.
Chris Dooley of Dooley’s Ground Services LLC, who was handling the project for the county, estimated that 230 yards of concrete would be poured over rebar in a void under the road.
At that point, Dooley and Spencer Anderson, director of the county’s Public Works Department, noted their expectation that the repairs would be complete by Aug. 15.
A day before the video was shot, a county truck fell into the void, as documented on a Facebook page to which people contribute information and photos regarding county roads.
In response to a News Leader question about that incident, the Public Works Department staff wrote in an Aug. 14 email that the vehicle was “being assessed for damage along with several other vehicles impacted by Hurricane Debbie.”
Prior to completion of the damaged portion of North Casey Key Road, Anderson had been warning both pedestrians and bicyclists away from the area, out of concern for their safety.
In their regular updates on the aftermath of the storm, county staff had been writing, “The southbound lane of North Casey Key Road is closed near the 300 block. The northbound lane will be utilized for a single lane of alternating two-way traffic and traffic control devices will be placed for stop controlled two-way traffic.”
In December 2023, the County Commission unanimously approved construction of a 1,930-linear-foot seawall between the parcels located at 526 and 840 N. Casey Key Road.
Karen Erickson of Erickson Consulting Engineers in Sarasota — the engineer of record for the initiative — told the commissioners during the Dec. 12, 2023 public hearing that the affected road segment “is highly vulnerable to storm damage … and has become increasingly … at great risk of failure.”
The county staff report provided to the board members in advance of the meeting pointed out, “The County has spent nearly $300,000 addressing at least 35 work orders for road repairs at this section of North Casey Key Road since 2016 due to overwash, infiltration, and undermining.”
No special collections of storm debris
With questions and comments having been circulated on social media, county staff announced on Aug. 15 that debris contractors would not be activated to collect vegetative material that residents had gathered up from yards and businesses.
Instead, the report noted, “All items should be properly prepared for collection at the curb. Vegetative materials include large branches, palm fronds, tree trunks, small branches and leaves.”
“Proper preparation” consists of the following measures, the report added:
- Materials should be bagged only in paper containers; bundled and tied; or placed in containers.
- Nothing should be longer than 4 feet.
- The diameter of any bundle must be 16 inches or less.
- No single bag, bundle or container should weigh more than 40 pounds.
Yard waste materials that are not properly prepared for collection will not be picked up by the hauler, the report stressed.
Express permitting authorized on temporary basis
As another means of facilitating the community recovery, County Administrator Lewis has authorized the Planning and Development Services staff to expedite the issuance of permits related to storm damage resulting from Hurricane Debby.
“Certain building permit fees have been temporarily suspended if the repair is for documented damage from Hurricane Debby,” county updates point out. “The temporary suspension of fees applies to permit applications submitted through Sept. 13,” the updates add.
“Fees have been temporarily suspended for the following: re-roofing or recovering, doors and windows (size for size replacement), interior repair from water intrusion, minor electrical repair, electrical service charge, tents, temporary-use permits, pool cage repair, and AC change-outs,” the updates explain.
“Helpful tip: When applying for a permit in Accela, select the ‘Storm Related’ project type,” the updates say.
“For assistance, please call 311 or email building@scgov.net.”
To start the permit process, click here.
Hurricane Debby disaster relief resources
Sarasota County staff also is providing a comprehensive list of disaster relief resources:
- The American Red Cross has activated the immediate assistance program. For details, 800-RED-CROS (800-733-2767), Option 4, Option 1, Option 1, Option 1.
- Flooding resources and tips for after flooding is available here. “If your insurance policy has been lost or destroyed, contact your insurance company to find out what coverages you have and request a copy of your policy.
- “Activate Hope is live to help connect Floridians with outside resources to provide food, household goods, home repairs, and more. Serving as the emergency response arm for the Hope Florida initiative, Activate Hope pulls together the private sector, nonprofits, and government resources to help Floridians get back on their feet following a natural disaster. Fill out the form here: https://loom.ly/XS5yM8Y
- “The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) is operational. Residents needing resources after Hurricane Debby can call 1-800-342-3557. Speakers of both English and Spanish are available to answer questions.
- Disaster Legal Aid ‚ 833-514-2940. “Disaster survivors anywhere in the state may call to apply for free civil legal services.
- “United Methodist Church — 855-228-3862. “Disaster survivors in the state may call to register for disaster assistance such as debris removal, tarping, muck and gut.
- Crisis Clean Up — 844-965-1386. “Disaster survivors in the state may call to register for assistance with debris.
- “The VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center is operational 24/7 for virtual urgent care at 1-877-741-3400.
- “VISIT FLORIDA has activated Emergency Accommodation Modules on Expedia and Priceline to provide real-time hotel availability and lodging resources” for affected Floridians and visitors.
- “The Florida Attorney General’s Office has activated the Florida price gouging hotline to accept reports of extreme price increases on essential commodities. The hotline number is 866-966-7226.
- “The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) encourages Floridians to report unlicensed activity by calling 866-532-1440, visiting its website at myfloridalicense.com/unlicensed-activity, downloading the DBPR Mobile App or emailing ULA@myfloridalicense.com.
“DBPR encourages Florida’s licensed contractors who provide post-storm construction-related services to register with its Florida Disaster Contractors Network at DCNOnline.org. For more information, county staff says, visit https://loom.ly/GkWlJcU.