Hurricane Milton

Volusia County's Citizen Damage Form

(Use this form to submit damage from Hurricane Milton)

Hurricane Milton - City of DeBary

This page is provided as a courtesy for storm updates specific to the City of DeBary. However, it should NOT be your only resource for emergency information, and we are not a licensed weather organization. Please refer to official sources such as your local news, the National Weather Service, and Volusia County Emergency Management when making important decisions for you and your family. 

YARD WASTE AND STORM DEBRIS COLLECTION (Updated 10/14/24)

  • Yard Waste Collection: WastePro will pick-up yard waste on your regular yard waste collection day this week (Tuesday, 10/14 or Friday, 10/18). They will pick up 3-5 bags per household, depending on truck capacity. ALL YARD WASTE MUST BE IN BAGS OR CANS; loose yard waste will not be collected this week.
  • Storm Debris Collection: The City has contracted Ceres Environmental for storm debris pickup, which will begin in the next 2-3 weeks. Ceres is currently deploying crews from North Carolina, where they are finishing debris removal from Hurricane Helene, before bringing them here. We will post updates with the finalized schedule and debris requirements once everything is confirmed
  • Please do not put yard waste into the street as it is blocking recovery and emergency teams. Our teams are having to push the debris back onto residents' properties to clear the road. We know it is frustrating to have yard waste in front of your home for a few weeks, but this is temporary. Blocking roads will only delay our recovery.

We are grateful for these partnerships, as these waste management companies are prioritizing our community’s needs at a time when debris pickup is in high demand across the nation. Thank you for your understanding!

ROAD CLOSURES & TRAFFIC HAZARDS (10/15/24):

Immediately following the storm, our teams cleared debris and reopened roads throughout DeBary. Further, the city worked quickly to mitigate damage to Dutchman’s Bend, having gravel refreshed stabilizing this non-paved road so residents can leave, as well as stabilizing Donald E. Smith so residents can use that road. 

Southbound 17-92 has reopened.

While significant progress has been made, we urge caution when driving as hazards may still exist due to storm damage.

Currently, notable road closures include:

  • The water by the entrance by DeBary Golf and Country club continues to decline.  Trucks, SUVs and higher lift vehicles should be fine if they traverse slowly without causing a wake.  Lower vehicles should continue DES over the next couple of days.   The City has also added sand over the curb to make the entrance by ACE hardware easier to navigate for homes along Beacon Club drive to enter and exit.  Residents navigating through the front gate should drive slowly so as not to cause a wake and flood the car behind them. 

  • Donald E. Smith narrows to one lane near Hammock Oak Circle. Please drive with extreme caution and very slowly.
  • Glen Abbey Lane has one lane opened for through traffic. Please travel with caution.

If you encounter any other roads that are impassable due to flooding or debris, please report them to City Hall at 386-668-2040.

TREE REMOVAL:

Tree removal permit requirements are waived until October 25, 2024, to assist with storm recovery. If necessary, this deadline will be extended.

PUMPS AND FLOODING:

City pumps are working around the clock to manage the rising water levels caused by the combination of Hurricane Milton and pre-storm saturation. Approximately 20-30 homes experienced significant water intrusion, a notable improvement compared to past storms like 2008, but still concerning for affected areas. Low-lying regions, particularly those near lakes and ponds, are more vulnerable as water naturally flows to lower elevations.

For example, in Lower Lake and the entrance to DeBary Plantation, groundwater has been rising as fast as the pumps can manage. Our pumps, among the strongest in Volusia County, are each working at a rate of 5,000-7,000 gallons per minute to mitigate this.   In the 24 hours between 10/13 and 10/14, the pumps at Quail Lake and the front at DeBary plantation have pumped over 24 million gallons of water.  Thanks to the recent drier weather following Milton, groundwater levels have already dropped by about three feet. With the forecast calling for continued dry conditions following Milton, we expect to see further improvements in the coming days

DeBary has 18 pumps in operation, actively reducing surface water and sending it to the burrow pit in the city’s southwest region. These pumps operate on electricity with a backup generator. While running on electricity, they are quieter than when powered by a generator. During the storm, if the electricity goes out, pumps will switch to generator power, which may be noisier. When electricity is restored, they will switch back to the quieter electric power. Just because you cannot hear the pump, does not mean it is not working. It means it is on electricity.

As we continue to monitor conditions, lakes and ponds will likely keep rising for several more days due to water moving from higher to lower elevations. Our teams are actively monitoring and adjusting pump operations to minimize further water intrusion and flooding. We ask residents in affected areas to stay informed by checking our website regularly for updates

UTILITIES:

Lift stations have been repaired, lifting the conserve water notice. Regular water usage may resume. For water issues, contact Volusia County Water and Utilities. 

  • Volusia Utilities Emergency repair service
    • After hours and weekends: 800-255-2069
    • Office hours, Monday through Friday are as follows:
      • Customer Service: 386-736-5971
      • Repairs: 386-822-6465

In case of fallen power lines, contact:

  • Duke Energy: 800-228-8485
  • Florida Power & Light: 800-468-8243

Post-Hurricane Milton Community Relief Resources

If Hurricane Milton has impacted you, here are important resources to help you get assistance:

Federal Assistance:

  • Call 800-621-FEMA (3362) (7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, multiple languages).
  • Register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or use the FEMA App for faster service if you have Wi-Fi and power.

State Assistance:

  • State Assistance Information Line: 800-342-3557
    • (Available 24/7 in English, Spanish, and Creole for any Hurricane Milton or Helene-related questions).
  • Activate Hope Disaster Assistance: Connects Floridians to resources for food, home repairs, and more. Fill out this form to request help or call  833-GET-HOPE (833-438-4673) currently open 24/7
  • Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) has disaster relief resources and information for Floridians in need of housing options and other housing related support. FHFC has activated FloridaHousingSearch.org to assist hurricane-impacted Floridians in locating an affordable rental property. This free, statewide search platform is being constantly updated to ensure all listings are accurate. Floridians can also call 1-877-428-8844.

Legal & Cleanup Services:

  • Disaster Legal Hotline: 833-514-2940
    • Provides legal assistance and referrals.
  • Samaritan's Purse Hotline: 1-833-747-1234
    • Free help for homeowners, including:
      • Property and furniture removal
      • Flood cleanup and sanitizing
      • Chainsaw work & debris removal
      • Temporary roof tarping
  • Florida Baptists Disaster Relief: 904-253-0502
    • Free help with storm debris cleanup, roof tarping, chainsaw work, and more.
  • Crisis Cleanup: 844-965-1386
    • Free assistance with:
      • Debris removal
      • Tree removal
      • Flooded home cleanup
      • Mold remediation and more

Hotlines & Local Assistance:

  • 2-1-1: Get up-to-date info on school closures, sandbag distributions, and social services.
  • Red Cross Hotline: 1-800-Red Cros (733-2767)
    • Assistance with financial aid, shelter, reunification, and transitional support.
  • Hope Navigators: Call 833-GET-HOPE
    • Offering free resources like food, household goods, or debris removal.

✅Community Church in DeBary is assembling teams from multiple churches to assist with demucking homes that have been flooded and other emergency services.  Please don’t hesitate to stop by the church Saturday from 10-2, Sunday 11-3, Monday 9:30-4 to let us know you need help. They are located at 41 W. Highbanks Road.  You may also text the church coordinators at the church at any time (386)848-7745. They will get back with you to see how they can best help.

Previous Updates:

10/11/24 - 12:20PM -  Volusia County Fair Ground Shelter Open as Transitional Accommodations for Hurricane Milton Evacuees

For those still displaced due to Hurricane Milton, Volusia County will continue to provide emergency sheltering at the Volusia County Fair Grounds, 3100 E. New York Ave. DeLand. This shelter is a transitional accommodation to aid in the return to permanent housing. Intended for crises, these accommodations provide very little privacy or comfort. This shelter is pet friendly; however, pet owners must bring crates, pet food, prescription pet meds, food and water bowls, leashes, Pet ID tags filled out with contact information, drinking water, potty pads or cat litter, and copies of pet medical records. Do not bring alcoholic beverages, smoking materials, vaping devices, valuables, weapons, and excessive or heavy luggage.

 Residents can stay updated by downloading the Volusia Emergency Management app, following the County’s social media channels, or visiting www.volusia.org.

10/10/2024 - 11:32PM

Crews are out right now, actively accessing and addressing road closures and debris. 

All recreation programs are canceled throughout the weekend. We plan to offer programs again beginning on Monday, October 14.

10/10/2024 - 4:25AM

From our City Manager: “Residents, we are experiencing an unprecedented storm and water event. Please stay off the roads and honor the curfew. We just pulled our crews due to the extensive road flooding and dangerous winds. We do have some trees down in roads. As soon as daylight arrives, we will be able to clear roads and assess the damage. Take care, Be safe.”

10/9/2024 - 7:37PM

Preparations for Milton should be completed. Volusia County is under a Hurricane Warning, Flood Warning, and Tornado Watch. For DeBary, the worst of the weather will begin after 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9th and will persist into Thursday. The National Weather Service anticipates significant rainfall totaling 8-12 inches. Wind gusts could reach between 58-73 mph, and there is a possibility of embedded tornadoes in the outer rain bands. For storm-related questions, call 866-345-0345. 

City Hall is closed on Wednesday (10/9) and Thursday (10/10). Regular City services such as golf cart permits, BTRs, etc., will resume next week as our staff focuses on emergency operations and recovery. Residents are kindly asked to avoid visiting City Hall this week unless absolutely necessary. 

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION: 

  • Fallen Trees on Public Roads: 866-345-0345 
  • Report Fallen Power Lines (DUKE): 800-228-8485 or 911
  • Report Fallen Power Lines (FPL): 800-468-8243 or 911
  • Volusia County Water & Sewer: 866-345-0345

What You Can Do Right Now:

  • Make sure you have flashlights, lanterns, and portable chargers readily available in case the power goes out
  • Hunker down and stay indoors. 
  • Avoid Floodwaters. Standing water can be dangerous, exposing you and your pets to infectious diseases, chemical hazards, and potential injuries.
  • When using a generator, be aware of generator safety.

CURFEW: A mandatory curfew will be in effect from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9 to 8 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 10. This curfew may be extended, so please monitor updates. Exceptions to the curfew include law enforcement, emergency workers, and essential employees traveling to and from their job. Violation of the curfew could result in fines of up to $500 or imprisonment for up to 60 days.

POWER OUTAGES & DEBRIS REMOVAL: Please be prepared for prolonged power outages. Many utility workers are currently assisting with Hurricane Helene out of state. The power companies are working to bring them back, but restoration may be delayed. Power will be restored as quickly as possible. Post-hurricane debris cleanup may take 2-3 months. We appreciate your patience during this process.

STAY INFORMED through the following channels:

CLICK HERE FOR SHELTER INFORMATION

10/8/2024 - 6:00PM

EVACUATION INFORMATION In DeBary, residents in mobile homes and RV parks are affected by Volusia County's evacuation order. Mandatory Evacuations for these areas will begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9. If you live in a mobile home or RV park, you are urged to evacuate to a safer location, such as with friends or family, or at one of the emergency shelters.

10/7/2024 - 4:55 PM

Shelter Information for Hurricane Milton: Volusia County is recommending all residents residing in mobile homes to evacuate prior to Hurricane Milton.

Volusia County Schools will open the following shelters on Wednesday, Oct 9 at 9 am.

West Side Shelters: 

  • University High School (General Population)
  • DeLand High School (General Population, pet friendly)
  • Galaxy Middle School (Medically Fragile Shelter)

East Side Shelters:

  • Mainland High School (General Population, pet friendly)
  • Creekside Middle School (General Population)
  • Hinson Middle School (Medically Fragile Shelter)

The Volusia County Fairgrounds will also open as a shelter.

Curfew: To discourage unnecessary traffic during the height of the storm, Volusia Sheriff's Office will enforce a curfew in Volusia County from 8 p.m. Wednesday evening until 8 a.m. Thursday morning

10/9/2024 - 8:27AM

City Hall Closure: City Hall is closed on Wednesday (10/9) and Thursday (10/10). 

Services Delayed: Regular City services such as golf cart permits, BTRs, etc., will resume next week as our staff focuses on emergency operations. Residents are kindly asked to avoid visiting City Hall this week unless absolutely necessary. 

Expectations After the Storm: Be prepared for potential long-term power outages. Duke Energy is currently working in North Carolina and is actively recalling resources for Milton. We anticipate power restoration to take 5-8 days.

Debris Pickup: Please anticipate delays in storm debris pickup following the storm due to ongoing efforts related to Hurricane Helene. We are coordinating with local companies to expedite this process as much as possible.

10/9/2024 - 8:28AM

The Volusia County Citizens Information Center (CIC) is open to answer all your storm-related questions. Call 866-345-0345 for vital info on safety protocols, evacuation routes, and community support during Hurricane Milton.

10/7/2024 - 10:00 AM

Mayor Chasez has signed a Declaration of State of General Emergency in response to Hurricane Milton. This declaration provides the City and the City Manager with emergency authorizations and powers beginning today, October 7th, to ensure swift and effective actions to protect our community.

 

Supporting Documents

PDF icon Declaration of State of General Emergency 10-7-24 (424 KB)
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