The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance and/or a physical property damage loan through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) due to Hurricane Nicole is Monday, February 13. While the deadline to apply for FEMA assistance and SBA physical property damage loans due to Hurricane Ian was January 12, businesses and most private nonprofit organizations still have until June 29 to apply for an economic injury loan due to this storm.
If Hurricanes Ian and Nicole both economically impacted a business or private nonprofit organization, a separate economic injury loan must be submitted for each storm. Upcoming deadlines, by storm and type of assistance, are:
- Feb. 13, 2023: FEMA assistance and SBA physical property damage loans (Hurricane Nicole)
- June 29, 2023: SBA economic injury loan (Hurricane Ian)
- Sept. 13, 2023: SBA economic injury loan (Hurricane Nicole)
To apply for FEMA assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, use FEMA’s mobile app or call (800) 621-3362. FEMA and SBA representatives are also available at two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Volusia County:
- Florida Department of Health-Volusia, 1845 Holsonback Drive, Daytona Beach
- The Center at Deltona, 1640 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Deltona
An SBA loan application for physical property damage and economic injury may be submitted at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov or by visiting a DRC.
The SBA is also operating a Business Recovery Center (BRC) at the Daytona Beach Regional Library (City Island), 105 Jackie Robinson Parkway, Daytona Beach. For additional information about SBA loans, call (800) 659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
SBA.gov // DisasterAssitance.gov
GOV. RON DESANTIS ANNOUNCES APPROPRIATION FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY
After suffering unprecedented coastal erosion and more than $852 million in damages from hurricanes Ian and Nicole, Volusia County received some welcome relief. Gov. Ron DeSantis presented a $37.6 million check to county officials on Jan. 18 for use in beach restoration. These funds are on top of $5 million the county recently received for emergency sand placement through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
“This generous funding will definitely help us with recovery efforts, and we look forward to stepping up our efforts to replace sand and restore dunes,” said County Manager George Recktenwald.
After Hurricane Nicole, county officials estimated that beach assets suffered $30.6 million in damages, including:
- 105 of 141 walkovers closed due to damage or destruction
- 15 of 17 coastal parks closed due to debris and damage
- 33 of 37 beach ramps closed due to damage
- Volusia County has made significant headway in the past couple months by opening:
- 67 of 141 walkovers
- 14 coastal parks (Frank Rendon, Edwin W. Peck Sr. and Dahlia parks remain closed)
- 13 beach ramps
The county has also been identifying the areas of greatest need for sand replenishment, exploring ways to prevent new sand from washing away, working with oceanfront municipalities to conduct vital pre- and post-storm analyses, and advocating for private property owners with the Florida Legislature.
(Pictured above: DeSantis presents the check for $37.6 million in beach nourishment on Jan. 18; photo: City of Daytona Beach Shores)
Additionally, county staff is making every effort to maximize federal and state reimbursement and reduce the financial burden on the property owners and county residents. In doing so, staff is adhering to FEMA guidelines with regards to storm response measures.
Volusia County Coastal Director Jessica Fentress was invited to speak to the Florida House and Senate Resiliency Committees on Jan. 19. She drew attention to Volusia County’s coastal destruction and requested full funding of the $77.7 million earmarked for Volusia through the state’s recovery plan. She also requested clarification on permitting questions and advocated for private property needs, which include multiple cost assessments for condo owners, financial burdens for repairs, availability of sand, and ability to build during sea turtle nesting season.
County staff has also been working closely with state agencies to maximize and hasten recovery efforts.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management was embedded with county staff after both hurricanes and deployed the Tiger Dam System in Daytona Beach Shores in early December.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, collaborating with Volusia County, granted permission to implement immediate temporary measures for affected shorelines, held two permitting open houses, and provided immediate assistance with sourcing quality materials, contractors and engineers. The department also developed a comprehensive Hurricane Ian and Nicole Beaches and Dune System Recovery Plan.
The Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) has executed agreements for offloading beach compatible sand from its dredge material management areas and is assisting the county in sourcing additional beach compatible sand areas.
The Florida Department of Transportation is working with Volusia County on the long-term resiliency of the Ocean Shore Boulevard section of State Road A1A in Ormond-by-the-Sea.
The State of Florida will send a grant agreement to the county, detailing the procedures the county must follow to deploy the $37.6 million in state funds. With this information – and in accordance with the requirements of the grant agreement – staff will present a beach recovery plan to the Volusia County Council for approval and direction.
Immediate uses for the state funds include:
- Placing sand from FIND’s Edgewater Dredged Material Management Area (DMMA) on critically vulnerable areas of the beach
- Deploying sand from FIND’s Rattlesnake Island’s DMMA for on-beach placement
- Drafting a feasibility study and project design in line with the state’s recovery plan
Staff will meet with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the upcoming Intracoastal Waterway dredge project, repair of the north jetty and a path to partnership on a countywide beach feasibility study.
Residents can get the latest information about beach access and recovery efforts by downloading the Volusia Beaches app or visiting: