Storm Survival
CURRENT U.S. STORM TRACKING INFORMATION
What should I do when a Hurricane Watch is issued? A Hurricane WATCH means that hurricane conditions are possible within the water area. Hurricane watches are issued 48 hours prior to the anticipated onset of tropical storm-force winds.
If you choose to evacuate, Volusia County School Board and Votran will provide free rides to general public shelters. Pick-ups will be made at all regular Votran bus stops (directions can also be found on the Volusia County Emergency App). ONLY during emergencies, residents can call 866-345-0345 for directions to a nearby shelter. For Seminole County shelters, call 407-665-0311. Evacuees may need to stay at a shelter for several days during an emergency. Since space is limited, only bring necessary supplies.
If you choose to shelter in place, Stay inside, away from windows, skylights, and glass doors. Place towels along window sills and the bottom of doors leading outside to prevent water from coming inside. Have buckets, mops, and sponges handy in case of flooding. If power is lost, go through your home and turn off any major appliances to reduce power "surge" when electricity is restored. Pay close attention to the weather reports and remember that a hurricane usually comes in two phases with a brief calm in the middle. Stay inside until the storm has subsided.
Stay Informed During the Storm
Watch your local news, or visit the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service Melbourne to stay on top of potential storms. Stay tuned to TV, radio, or NOAA Weather Radio during the storm to track it and keep apprised of evacuation warnings. Be aware that tornados can spawn from hurricanes at any time. Monitor your local news station, and if a tornado warning is issued, take cover in your safe room of an interior hallway or lower level if in a tall building. Stay away from glass doors and windows. You also can seek shelter under heavy furniture in the center of the house.
Storm Recovery
While you are recovering from a storm, remember that the process will be gradual and if damage has been widespread, be patient with things like power restoration. Be sure to keep your and your family's health a priority during this trying time.
Stay safe when cleaning up and returning home. If you evacuated and local authorities approved your return home, follow warnings and any detours on your way home. Don't walk or drive through floodwaters and stay away from loose or dangling power lines. Follow the CDC's guide to disaster clean-up. If you see a fallen power line, call Duke Energy at 800.228.8485.
Take photos of property damage to assist in filing an insurance claim. Make a list of damaged and lost items and gather any receipts you may have for these items. You do NOT need to wait for an inspector to view the damage prior to cleaning up, but DO take photos of the damage before cleaning. Having this info will help speed up the process with your insurance programs and any assistance programs you may apply for.
Protect yourself from disaster scams. Unfortunately, scammers may try to take advantage of individuals after a storm. Stay on guard for false promises, government imposters, and assistance application fees along with scammers asking for donations. To report fraud, call the Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721.
Apply for the help you need. Even if you and your family take the precautionary steps for financial preparedness in the case of a disaster, there are some things that you may not have covered. There are many assistance programs available after major storms, along with year-long assistance programs to help support those in need. Learn about what FEMA covers in an emergency. The Disaster Home Reconstruction Mortgage Program can help residents rebuild or buy a new home if it was lost during a hurricane.
City of DeBary Storm Clean-up
Once it is safe to return outside after a hurricane, our City Public Works employees quickly return to work and begin driving around the city while taking note of debris blocking the roads. Their first priority is to make all roads accessible to emergency vehicles, which may require them to quickly move tree limbs and other waste to the side of the road. They will return later to finish the clean-up process.
Next, they will respond to clean-up areas in order of severity. If you notice that the sidewalk in front of your house isn't cleared right away, please be patient. All street debris will be addressed and cleaned up by our team. All man-made debris items, such as fences and sheds, are the responsibility of the owner. Do NOT move broken fences and other personal property onto the roads to be cleared - this is a safety hazard and residents will be fined if additional debris is added to the roads.
