In the wake of Hurricane Milton, federal aid has been critical for residents of Volusia County.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has processed over 42,000 applications for individual assistance from those affected by Hurricane Milton. As of Monday, more than $26 million in aid has been approved for over 5,600 households under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. This program is designed to assist those who lack sufficient insurance coverage and provides temporary housing, home repairs, and other essential services for disaster recovery.
According to FEMA, the assistance aims to meet basic needs and support overall recovery efforts. However, it is emphasized that this aid is not a replacement for insurance and cannot cover all losses associated with the disaster. Volusia County Emergency Management Director, Clint Mecham, shared these updates during a Hurricane Milton briefing at the Volusia County Elected Officials Roundtable held at Daytona Beach International Airport.
For those whose applications for assistance are denied, FEMA offers a process to appeal. Affected residents can reach out to the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center for further support.
In related efforts, Volusia County Chairman Jeff Brower is advocating for a temporary halt on residential development to address persistent flooding issues. In a letter to local leaders, Brower emphasized cooperation among municipal governments to find collective solutions for flood management, noting many constituents have suffered total losses.
Meanwhile, Deltona Mayor Santiago Avila Jr. expressed a need for consistent two-way communication, stressing that collaborative efforts are essential for successful county-wide initiatives.
On another front, debris removal is an ongoing operation in Volusia County, as crews work diligently towards the January 11 deadline to secure full FEMA reimbursement. Ben Bartlett, Director of Volusia County Public Works, expressed confidence in meeting this deadline. Residents can track debris collection progress on the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s statewide debris monitoring dashboard.
As Volusia County continues its recovery from Hurricane Milton, the community benefits from significant FEMA assistance and local efforts aimed at rebuilding and addressing ongoing challenges. The combination of federal aid and proactive local governance represents a hopeful path forward for affected residents.
Source: News-journalonline
