4/18/2023

Florida Division of Emergency Management Issues Updates on Southeast Florida Flooding

Over 500,000 gallons of fuel on the way to Southeast Florida

In response to the increasing demand for fuel in Southeast Florida after damages to Port Everglades slowed fuel distribution, the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) has deployed over 500,000 gallons of fuel to Southeast Florida. The first set of trucks are estimated to arrive at commercial stations tonight, with the remaining arriving on site by tomorrow, Wednesday, April 18. To support fueling operations as Port Everglades works to de-water fuel racks and get operations back online for distributing gas and diesel fuel, the SERT has been pulling fuel from Port Canaveral and Tampa since Friday, April 14.

Executive Director Kevin Guthrie requested four Individual Assistance (IA) and four Public Assistance (PA) teams from FEMA to conduct in-person joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) in Broward County. Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Recovery staff have deployed and are on-scene to assist with these assessments. Information gathered from PDAs will determine what federal assistance may be made available for impacted residents.

Over the weekend, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) coordinated mission requests to assist with flood recovery efforts in Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Dania Beach. At the request of Broward County, the SERT deployed over 20 flood mitigation assets to impacted areas including industrial vacuum trucks and water pumps. FDEM remains in constant communication with local partners and stands ready to provide additional state support as requested.

In response to the significant flooding in southeast Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis has issued Executive Order 23-65 declaring a State of Emergency in Broward County. The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated at a Level 2 in response to Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, Mass Migration, and unprecedented flooding in southeast Florida.

The State Emergency Response Team has taken the following actions:

• The SERT deployed 500,000 gallons of fuel to stations in Southeast Florida and stands ready to assist private sector partners in fuel distribution and delivery. Fuel transports are being escorted by law enforcement partners in order to expedite delivery.
• The SERT deployed over 20 flood mitigation assets including industrial vacuum trucks and water pumps to the City of Ft. Lauderdale, Dania Beach and Hollywood, Florida.
• SERT feeding partners have served 4,181 hot meals and distributed over 20 cases of water and 1,000 clean-up kits. Lunch and dinner are being offered to impacted residents at the following locations:
• Fort Lauderdale - SW 21st Ave. and Frontage Rd.
• Fort Lauderdale - 27th Ave. and 6th Court.
• Miami - SW 6th St. and Long Island Ave.
• Two comfort stations are open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. offering food, water, restrooms, charging stations, and showers to impacted residents. They are set up at the following locations:
• Shirley Small Park - 1230 SW 34th Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
• Broward County Fleet Service Center - 2515 SW 4th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
• An additional comfort station located at 1412 NW 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 (Provident Park) is serving food only.
• One shelter remains open and serving 52 people and 5 pets. The shelter is operating at the following location:
• Holiday Park - 1150 G. Harold Martin Dr Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
• The Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline has been activated. Price gouging during a State of Emergency is unlawful and reports of unconscionable price increases should be submitted through the hotline at (866)-966-7226.
• FDEM deployed staff to support local efforts including coordinating damage assessments and collecting damage assessment data in Broward County.
• The State Emergency Operations Center activated to a Level 2, activating all Sections of the State Emergency Response Team.
• The SERT hosts daily calls to include weather updates and partner brief outs.

 

Other state efforts include:

Department of Transportation

• Following Governor Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order, FDOT issued Emergency Order 23-65 allowing larger quantities of fuel to be delivered to impacted areas. Port Canaveral and Port Tampa Bay are accommodating additional fuel trucks to bring fuel to the South Florida Region.
• FDOT continues to assist local agencies with crews and equipment to help reduce flood waters at multiple locations in the area. The New River Tunnel (U.S. 1) has been reopened.
• FDOT crews have been activated to perform damage assessment surveys.
• FDOT continues to assist local agencies with crews and equipment on traffic signal outages.
• In coordination with the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority and the City of Fort Lauderdale, FDOT is supporting a Florida Department of Economic Opportunity request to use the Broward Boulevard Tri-Rail Station “Park and Ride” lot for a one-stop resource site for local businesses impacted by the flooding.
• FDOT crews continue to provide assistance at locations where lane closures or full road closures are necessary to ensure motorists can safely get by or have appropriate detour signage to follow.
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is open and operational.
• Port Everglades remains open. The recent Executive Order allows for larger deliveries of fuel to the impacted areas as well as extended trucking hours for truckers making these deliveries.
• Real-time traffic updates including road closure information can be found at FL511.com. 

Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

• FHP has issued Emergency Order 041523, which waives specific requirements for commercial motor vehicles providing emergency relief.
• FHP is escorting fuel tankers to expedite fuel delivery to Broward County.
• FHP is actively communicating with law enforcement and transportation partners in support of flooding response efforts.
• FHP is currently staffing the State Emergency Operations Center to support flooding response efforts.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission

• FWC has deployed a 15-officer team in high water vehicles to assist with welfare checks, neighborhood patrols, non-emergency evacuations and calls for service.High water vehicles will remain in Broward County until this incident is completely resolved and the additional rain threat is reduced.

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity

• In partnership with FDEM, CareerSource Florida, and the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, DEO is hosting a One-Stop Business Resource Site available this week for local businesses impacted by flash flooding seeking recovery resources.
• The Site will open Monday, April 17 at 1 p.m. until 6 p.m., and be open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. beginning Tuesday, April 18. A Park and Ride Lot is located at the NW Quadrant of I95 and Broward Blvd. (Enter off on Broward Blvd)
• Staff will be available to assist businesses and employees with services like the Business Damage Assessment Survey, Business Continuity Planning, and job search assistance.
• DEO leadership is on the ground in Broward County visiting affected neighborhoods and meeting with local residents to learn about their impacts.
• DEO leadership attended a briefing at the Broward Emergency Operation Center and met with local county and city officials to coordinate on recovery efforts for the Broward County’s business community.
• In a local press conference in Broward County alongside sister agencies, Secretary Ivey provided updates and encouraged local businesses to take the activated Business Damage Assessment Survey at FloridaDisaster.biz to inform recovery efforts, and shared DEO’s private sector hotline for businesses to call at 850-815-4925 or email ESF18@em.myflorida.com if they are seeking additional resources.

Department of Environmental Protection

• The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has activated and is closely monitoring WaterTracker, a reporting tool for drinking water and wastewater facilities to provide updates on their operational status and submit needs and requests, for Broward County.
• DEP has also directly reached out to these facilities and 100% of drinking water and wastewater facilities have been initially contacted. All drinking water and wastewater facilities are fully operational.   
• DEP is coordinating with Florida’s Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (FlaWARN) and other response agencies on the dispatch of generators, fuel and pump trucks to assist drinking water and wastewater facilities, as needed. FlaWARN has secured 13 VAC trucks for the City of Fort Lauderdale through Mutual Aid with neighboring municipalities and they are currently on-site.
• DEP has contacted all significant Hazardous Waste facilities in Broward County to confirm operational status and assess needs. All facilities are fully operational and report no releases or operational concerns.
• The South Florida Water Management District has deployed temporary pumps and continues coordinating with Broward County Emergency Operations Center to alleviate localized flooding.
• While pumps are being repaired at Port Everglades, DEP will request a fuel waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to temporarily adjust certain regulatory requirements to ensure a sustained, useable fuel supply.

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

• FDACS has deployed inspectors across the impacted areas to ensure fuel dispensers are working properly and testing the quality of fuel.
• FDACS is currently staffing the State Emergency Operations Center to support response efforts.

Department of Health

• DOH-Broward has distributed information to the public regarding mosquito control.
• DOH-Broward has assessed mobile home parks in the impacted area for any environmental health concerns caused by flooding. There are no unmet needs at this time.
• DOH-Broward in partnership with the City of Fort Lauderdale will start offering Tetanus vaccinations to support those at-risk from exposure to contaminated waters and with open wounds.   
• DOH-Broward facilities reopened on April 14, 2023. Any appointments impacted by facility closures during April 13 will be rescheduled.

Agency for Health Care Administration

• AHCA remains in communication with facilities in the impacted area and has surveyors on-site at one facility today. Agency surveyors have reported no safety concerns, all facilities have power and are operating.

Department of Children and Families

• DCF has deployed four Hope Navigators to two Ft. Lauderdale Comfort Centers who will assist customers with locating resources, connecting with services, and public assistance questions. 

Department of Elder Affairs

• The Area Agency on Aging of Broward County has spoken with their senior service providers across the county to assess any needs. These providers are directly calling clients to check in on unmet needs and working with local government to obtain long-term housing for two displaced residents, as well as enrolling them in their services.
• Seniors in need of services may call the Helpline at 954-745-9779.

Department of Education

• All Broward County Public Schools and District offices are open today, Monday, April 17, 2023. Afterschool care, events and activities will also operate on a normal schedule.