Resilient Roots: Adapting in Volusia County’s Climate

Florida’s agricultural communities are recovering in the wake of recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The storms’ high winds and torrential rain caused flooding in fields and extensive damage to greenhouses and protective structures. Statewide, reports of heavy losses included citrus, strawberries, vegetable, livestock, and aquaculture sectors. The devastation is significant: counties hit hardest by Hurricane Milton alone account for approximately over $7.4 billion in annual Read More » Continue reading Resilient Roots: Adapting in Volusia County’s Climate

Rising UP: City of New Smyrna Beach Receives FEMA Grant to Elevate At-Risk Homes

Cruising around the city of New Smyrna Beach (NSB), citizens and visitors are spotting elevated homes. The whole single-family structures, including the garage, are raised, resting on concrete columns. The electrical and mechanical equipment, like the air conditioner, are also elevated outside the home. The homes were approved for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Since Hurricane Irma (2017), the Read More » Continue reading Rising UP: City of New Smyrna Beach Receives FEMA Grant to Elevate At-Risk Homes