Volusia County officials are actively seeking community input on updates to the county’s Local Mitigation Strategy Plan and Floodplain Management Plan, aiming to enhance preparedness against flooding and disasters.

Two public meetings will be conducted to gather residents’ feedback on potential updates to these critical plans, a news release from the county indicated. The first meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday at the DeLand Regional Library located at 130 E. Howry Ave. Meanwhile, the second meeting will occur at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the Daytona Beach Regional Library at 105 Jackie Robinson Parkway. A conclusion meeting is planned for 9 a.m. on December 13 at the Emergency Operations Center at 3825 Tiger Bay Road, where final discussions will take place.

The county is making strides to involve the local community in disaster risk planning, focusing on strengthening flood defenses. These meetings offer a platform for residents to voice their opinions and contribute to the county’s strategic planning, ensuring that the plans are comprehensive and effective in mitigating risks.

In addition to flood planning discussions, Volusia County has revised the operating hours for sites designated for Hurricane Milton vegetative debris drop-off. Effective immediately, the new hours are set from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, though all sites will be closed on Thanksgiving. The drop-off locations include 1360 Veterans Memorial Parkway in Orange City, 1990 Air Park Road in Edgewater, the Tomoka Landfill at 1990 Tomoka Farms Road in Port Orange, and the Old Plymouth Landfill at 1991 W. Plymouth Ave. in DeLand. Residents must bring identification to confirm their residency when using these facilities.

Additionally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened a new Disaster Recovery Center at The Center at Deltona, located at 1640 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. The center will be operational daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through November 27. This service aims to support residents recovering from recent disasters, providing necessary resources and assistance following the closure of the center at the John H. Dickerson Community Center in Daytona Beach.

Through these initiatives, Volusia County is demonstrating its commitment to enhancing disaster preparedness and community resilience. By engaging residents in the planning process and providing clear avenues for both feedback and support, the county is taking proactive steps to safeguard its communities against future disasters.

Source: News-journalonline