Volusia County asks people to stay away from the beach

Ormond Beach Observer
News

by: Pat Kuehn

Volusia County Community Information

Officials are asking for everyone’s help to spread this message: Stay away from the beach!

The coastline remains the most prominent safety threat to people in Volusia County. While people may be anxious to visit the beach to take pictures of the devastation left behind by Hurricane Nicole, this is not the time or place. Going anywhere near the beach could place your life in jeopardy.

Right now, the ocean is plagued with debris and contaminants that can cause serious harm. The waves and currents can pull under the strongest of swimmers. Coastal structures — such as piers, walkways and anything else, manufactured or by nature — have also been seriously compromised by the compound impacts of Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole. Officials are working tirelessly to examine the coastal structures’ integrity. Even though a structure may exhibit no visual signs of damage, it does not mean there are no foundational or other underlying problems that may lead to a collapse.

Initial damage assessment is $481 million

The Volusia County Property Appraiser has submitted the initial damage assessment report for Hurricane Nicole, and the numbers are astounding. The dollar figure is over $481 million, already eclipsing Hurricane Ian’s damage of $377 million.

Individual city totals so far are:

Permitting information

Residents seeking permit information due to Hurricane Nicole may call Volusia County Public Works at 386-736-5967 or Growth and Resource Management at 386-736-5929 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13.

If your home was deemed unsafe, Volusia County cannot authorize power restoration until there is proof that the building is stable and there is no risk to residents or the structure. County officials ask that owners work with architects, engineers and licensed contractors to make emergency repairs and stabilization before requesting power restoration.

Structures that were compromised by beach erosion will require building permits and approval from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) since most structures are east of the Coastal Construction Control Line. The county is working with the DEP to have staff available in Volusia County to process permit applications and answer questions.

Volusia County suspended the requirement of a beaches and dunes permit and access permit for owners seeking to assess damage and commence with cleanup of the debris. This will be in place until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15. This does not suspend the required permits for temporary or permanent repairs.

The DEP issued an emergency order for Volusia County to assume permitting for limited, temporary emergency measures consisting only of sand placement, sandbags no more than 100 pounds, and installation of temporary sheer piles (4 feet deep by 4 feet high, no tiebacks, no concrete caps). Any other temporary or permanent improvements require permitting through the DEP.

Daytona Beach Shores: $370.3 million
New Smyrna Beach: $51.1 million
Daytona Beach: $50 million
Unincorporated areas: $5.5 million
Ponce Inlet: $2.6 million
Port Orange: $1.3 million
Holly Hill: $452,676

The numbers will continue to rise as property assessment teams visit additional buildings over the coming days. An estimated completion date cannot be provided at this time.

Hotels, condos and single-family homes deemed unsafe and evacuated

Hurricane Ian

Daytona Beach Shores

Hawaiian Inn, 2301 S. Atlantic Ave. (five stories)
Holiday Inn Express, 3301 S. Atlantic Ave. (11 stories)
South Shore Motel, 3225 S. Atlantic Ave. (three stories)
White Surf Condo, 3555 S. Atlantic Ave. (seven stories)

Hurricane Nicole

Daytona Beach Shores

Castaways Beach Resort, 2043 S. Atlantic Ave.(seven stories)
Curran Shores North, 3615 S. Atlantic Ave. (two stories)
Dimucci Tower 14, 3797 S. Atlantic Ave. (seven stories)
Grande Coquina Condo, 3333 S. Atlantic Ave. (22 stories)
Flamingo Inn, 2011 S. Atlantic Ave. (three stories)
Lexington Hotel, 2323 S. Atlantic Ave. (6 stories)
Marabella Condo, 3343 S. Atlantic Ave. (seven stories)
Ocean Court, 2315 S. Atlantic Ave. (two stories)
OPUS Condo, 2071 S. Atlantic Ave. (11 stories)
Pirate’s Cove, 3501 S. Atlantic Ave. (seven stories)
Sanibel Condo, 3799 S. Atlantic Ave. (11 stories)
Sand and Surf, 2535 S. Atlantic Ave. (two stories)
Sherwin Condo, 2555 S. Atlantic Ave. 19 stories)
St. Kitts Condominium, 2855 S. Atlantic Ave. (six stories)
Towers Grande, 2055 S. Atlantic Ave. (15 stories)
Tropic Shores Resort, 3111 S. Atlantic Ave. (11 stories)
Twin Towers North, 3311 S. Atlantic Ave. (18 stories)
Twin Towers South, 3315 S. Atlantic Ave. (18 stories)
Sunglow Resort, 3647 S. Atlantic Ave. (10 stories)
One single-family home

New Smyrna Beach

Las Brisas Condominiums, 3001 S. Atlantic Ave. (the two easterly oceanfront buildings) (three stories)
Sea Coast Gardens II Condominiums, 4151 S. Atlantic Ave. (five stories)
Sea Dunes Sand Dollar, 4305 S. Atlantic Ave. (two stories)
Disaster Recovery Center to reopen
FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center will reopen on Monday, Nov. 14. The DRC will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Florida Department of Health-Volusia, 1845 Holsonback Drive, Daytona Beach.

Currently, only persons who sustained damage from Hurricane Ian may apply for FEMA assistance as the federal government has not declared Volusia County as a federal disaster zone resulting from Hurricane Nicole. Persons who sustained damage only from Hurricane Nicole should contact the Citizens Information Center at 386-345-0345 to learn about available resources.

Instead of visiting the DRC, persons may apply for FEMA assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov, the FEMA mobile app or by calling 800-621-3362.
Sea Dunes Nautilus, 4365 S. Atlantic Ave. (two stories)
Pieces of Eight, 4375 S. Atlantic Ave. (three stories)
Three single-family homes