- April 18, 2024
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The following is an adapted news release from the city of Palm Coast
Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts declared a state of local emergency Monday afternoon, Dec. 16, as the community moves into recovery and rebuilding following Saturday’s tornado that damaged at least 171 houses in the B, C and F sections of Palm Coast.
Declaring a state of local emergency allows the city to:
· apply for state and federal assistance;
· expedite permitting for construction and debris removal;
· implement a system of trash and debris removal beyond the normal collection schedule;
· access state assistance for regulation and enforcement of licensing and worker’s compensation insurance; and
· access additional services and resources from Flagler County and State of Florida.
Services for affected residents
The city is using all available resources to assist affected homeowners and property owners, and is receiving assistance from Flagler County Emergency Management, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and the State of Florida.
The majority of damage assessment has been completed, and the city is now in the recovery phase. At least 171 houses were affected, with seven houses destroyed, 22 houses with moderate damage and 142 houses partially damaged.
Beginning Monday morning, a team is in place at city offices to expedite permitting and inspections for affected properties.
Building inspectors, code officers, landscape architects, tree inspectors, arborists are in the affected neighborhoods working one-on-one with homeowners to assist them, answer their questions, and help them get their cleanup and repairs started.
In addition, representatives of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation are already in Palm Coast to work with the city to help protect residents from unlicensed contractors and unscrupulous business practices. The state officials are also working with local law enforcement to catch unlicensed contractors. Also, the Florida Division of Worker’s Compensation is here protecting residents from contractors who don’t have worker’s compensation insurance.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office will continue its heavy law enforcement presence in the affected neighborhoods to protect citizens, homes and property and to keep traffic flow moving in areas where there is still significant debris and residents and contractors are cleaning up and beginning repairs.
Advice on contractors
The city is reminding residents to carefully consider the hiring of a contractor. State law requires owners to use a licensed contractor. Unlicensed contractors may charge less, but they often do sub-standard work, and they put residents at substantial financial risk should something go wrong with the job.
Before hiring a contractor, ask to see a copy of his/her license and liability and worker’s compensation insurance. Their license number should be shown on business cards, contracts and vehicles. Then call the
Building Department at 386-986-3780 to verify the license. The Building Department is happy to search our database and the state to check for active licenses.
A licensed contractor will always pull the permit for the property owner. An unlicensed contractor will ask the homeowner to obtain the required city permit or will tell you a permit or inspection isn’t needed – those are both warning signs.
Debris pickup schedules
In the affected areas in the B, C and F Sections, the city will be working daily to pick up debris the residents pile up street-side. From now until it is no longer needed, there will be daily pickups by city crews and the city’s contractor, Waste Pro.
If debris is not being picked up in a timely manner, please call the city’s customer service number at 386-986-2360.
Donations and volunteerism coordination
Donations and volunteer efforts will be accepted for tornado victims. Flagler County Volunteer Services is coordinating donations and people who want to volunteer in the recovery effort.
Please call Flagler County Volunteer Services at 386-597-2950 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
For more information, contact Cindi Lane, communications and marketing manager for the city of Palm Coast, at 386-986-3708.
