8/9/2024

ICYMI: Governor DeSantis Issues Updates on State Response to Hurricane Debby

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor DeSantis provided updates on response and recovery efforts to Hurricane Debby. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) continues to work with volunteer organization partners to ensure impacted residents have access to hot meals. Through mobile and fixed feeding kitchen locations, the American Red Cross, Mercy Chefs and Operation BBQ Relief have provided nearly 9,400 lunches and dinners in impacted areas of the Big Bend and Sarasota and Manatee counties.  

Activate Hope is live now to help connect Floridians with outside resources to provide food, household goods, home repairs, and more. Serving as the emergency response arm for the Hope Florida initiative, Activate Hope pulls together the private sector, nonprofits, and government resources to help Floridians get back on their feet following a natural disaster. Fill out the form here.

State Response Efforts

• FDEM has pumped more than 589 million gallons of floodwaters from impacted communities statewide.
• FDEM is operating Points of Distribution (PODs) in Hamilton, Jefferson, Manatee, Suwannee and Taylor counties to provide food, water and tarps to impacted residents. For locations and hours of operation, visit FloridaDisaster.org/Updates. Since beginning POD operations, FDEM has distributed:
• More than 140,600 shelf-stable meals
• More than 172,000 bottles of water
• More than 4,500 bags of ice
• More than 12,700 tarps
• More than 9,400 feet of flood protection devices are deployed to a dozen critical infrastructure sites to protect against flooding, including schools, health care facilities, public works, lift stations and roads and bridges.
• Approximately 19,000 linemen are in the field to assist with power restoration efforts. 
• Over 680,000 accounts have already been restored with power.  
• Following Governor DeSantis' authorization, the Florida National Guard (FLNG) has currently mobilized over 2,300 guardsmen in response to Hurricane Debby.
• The FLNG is assisting Counties across the Big Bend and Southwest Florida areas, staffing the State Logistics Response Center (SLRC), providing staffing for 11 PODs, the State Logistics Response Center (SLRC), and assisting with the deployment of flood control devices in five counties. The FLNG is currently supporting 6 Counties with LNOs.
• Mobilized units have cleared over 401 miles of road and eight acres of debris has been removed. Search and rescue efforts have led to 154 citizens rescued.
• The Florida National Guard currently has 4 rotary aircraft and over 450 tactical vehicles supporting relief operations.
• The Florida State Guard (FSG) has: 
• Over 100 FSG soldiers to support response and recovery operations.
• Assisted with logistics distribution at the State Logistics Response Center.
• Helped with damage assessments and surveys in impacted communities.
• Cut-and-Toss Missions
• Incidental Flood Response
• Worked POD Mission in Perry, FL
• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Aviation Section is performing aerial assistance, reconnaissance and post-storm damage assessments for the State EOC.
• Teams linked up with DFS Urban Search and Rescue Teams to conduct search and rescues and wellness checks.
• Teams are addressing flood conditions inland and have moved resources to assist residents impacted by high water conditions due to river flooding.
• The entire response force has an extensive loadout of high-water and self-sustainment equipment to facilitate operations in case of reduced infrastructure in the impacted areas: 
• 50 high-water capable four-wheel drive patrol trucks
• 9 airboats
• 12 shallow draft vessels
• 10 high-water capable swamp buggies/Fat Truck/UTVs
• 4 drone teams
• Mobile command unit
• BERG self-sustainment container units
• Fuel trailer
• Generators
• Hygiene trailers 
• In Manatee and Sarasota counties, 30 local FWC officers are assisting residents with high-water evacuations along area rivers. Approximately 100 people so far have been assisted by FWC officers in the area.
• A team of 8 additional officers from Collier County has deployed with an airboat, shallow draft vessels and a swamp buggy to assist officers in Manatee and Sarasota counties to address additional needs due to rising rivers in the area.
• Officers assigned to the North Central portion of the state are currently coordinating with county EOCs and responding to missions as necessary.
• Officers deployed to Live Oak and Suwannee used high water vehicles to assist with high water search and rescues, wellness checks, and evacuations for residents.
• In Live Oak, approximately 25 people were assisted by FWC officers and evacuated due to high water conditions.
• A family of five (two adults, three children) were rescued from their flooded apartment.
• One adult was rescued from their flooded residence.
• A family of five was seen walking through high water near downed powerlines. FWC officers got them safety.
• FWC officers used a high-water vehicle to rescue a man who was stranded on the top of his car due to high water.
• In Suwannee County, four people and their pets were rescued from the roof of a barn.
• In Welborn, four people were assisted by FWC officers and evacuated due to high water conditions.
• Team leaders are working with drone operators to review storm damage and to identify emerging needs.
• A team of captive wildlife investigators has contacted all permittees in the affected area and provided assistance as needed.
• The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) is coordinating law enforcement response with USAR teams in the impacted areas.
• FDLE’s aviation team is assisting FDOT and local partners with area damage assessments.
• FDLE’s mutual aid team is coordinating 13 active missions and has completed 39.
• Nearly 145 law enforcement officers are deployed to the impacted areas.
• FDLE is coordinating increased law enforcement patrols on the roadways and waterways in impacted areas. 
• The Department of Corrections (FDC)Institutions have multiple K9 units are on stand-by and stand prepared to respond as needed/requested by local officials.
• The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) probation officers across the state continue to do wellness checks on youth and families and have ensured community supervision continues while prioritizing the safety of staff.
• The Department of Management Services (DMS) has 32 additional Starlink kits pending coordination for deployment, bringing total to 125.
• More than 40,000 Xfinity WiFi Hotspots provided by Comcast are available to customers and non-customers. Residents can find their nearest hotspot at https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/wifi/hotspot-map-mobile.

Volunteer Resources

• Disaster Legal Aid
• 833-514-2940
• Disaster survivors anywhere in the state may call to apply for free civil legal services.
• United Methodist
• 855-228-3862
• Disaster survivors in the state may call to register for disaster assistance such as debris removal, tarping, muck and gut.
• Crisis Clean Up
• 844-965-1386
• Disaster survivors in the state may call to register for assistance with debris.
• Local Relief is a tech-driven social media mobile app that bridges the communication gap between communities and vital resources during times of disaster. Download the app here.
• Faith Responders
• 850-363-6799
• Assistance with debris removal, tarping and muck and gut.
• Florida Baptists
• 904-252-0502
• Chainsaw and tarping assistance.
• The Florida Disaster Volunteer Leave Act allows salaried state employees to request administrative leave to volunteer after a disaster. Salaried state employees may request up to 120 hours of administrative leave to volunteer with a 501(c)(3) or a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that is providing nonpaid services for disaster response and recovery to a declared disaster area covered under a state of emergency.
• Ongoing efforts with Volunteer Florida Partners
• Continued coordination calls with Florida Voluntary Organizations Active in Diesters (VOAD) over 100 participants
• Food Bucket/Cleanup Kit delivery and partner distribution beginning today and will continue
• Tarp delivery to Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay
• Ongoing coordination efforts with Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
• Supporting FLVOAD members with logistical needs  

Health and Human Services

• The Florida Department of Health (DOH) Currently, there are sixteen (16) boil water notices in Columbia (4), Dixie, Hamilton, Hillsborough (2), Lake, Lee, Marion (2), Orange, Pasco (2), and Suwannee counties. 
• DOH is supporting three (3) special needs shelters, which are on standby, in the following counties: Columbia, Hamilton, and Suwannee.
• All county health offices re-opened on, Wednesday, August 7, 2024.
• DOH continues to distribute information on social media platforms regarding emergency health topics, including flood water safety, special needs shelters, boil water notices, and more.
• The Florida Department of Health (DOH) deployed over 100 emergency vehicles (e.g., ambulances, ambulance buses, paratransit vehicles) to support emergency evacuations and patient transport as needed.
• DOH utilized ambulance strike teams to conduct over 149 home wellness visits in Wakulla, Taylor, Madison, Gilchrist, Dixie, and Levy counties.
• DOH Children’s Medical Services (CMS) Managed Care Plan conducted outreach to providers and high-risk clients, ensuring clients have access to early prescription refills and any additional needs are being met. 
• DOH remains in contact with Medical Foster Care families to ensure services and needs are met.  
• DOH provided Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clients in affected areas with an early pickup schedule for medical formula. WIC clients are being contacted regarding clinic closures as needed to ensure services are not disrupted. 
• DOH and the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) sent information regarding early prescription refills permitted under Executive Order 24-156. This information was sent to the public, health insurers, managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy chains, and health care providers.  
• The State Surgeon General signed Emergency Order 24-001, which:  
  • Waives competitive procurement requirements in order to procure commodities, goods, and services expeditiously in response to the emergency.  
  • Permits emergency medical transportation services to operate across county lines. 
  • Permits paramedics and emergency medical technicians licensed in other U.S. states, territories, or districts to practice in Florida in response to the emergency without penalty. 
• Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has closed the Health Facility Reporting System event.
• AHCA conducted 12 Post-Onsite Assessment visits on 08/07/2024. A total of 115 onsite post-assessment visits have been conducted since 8/5/2024. 
• 42 health care facilities received damage due to the storm. The Agency will monitor these facilities until repairs are completed.
• All health care facilities' power has been restored.
• All clients have been checked out of the Special Needs Shelters via E-PLUS.
• No new patient searches for clinical records have been conducted.
• AHCA is ensuing reimbursement for critical Medicaid services provided in good faith to eligible recipients who reside in the counties impacted by the storm.
• The Agency will waive all prior authorization requirements for critical Medicaid services beginning August 4, 2024, until further notice.
• Early prescription refill edits have been lifted for all maintenance medications (Note: This does not apply to controlled substances).
• If a recipient requires critical Medicaid services beyond the limits stated in policy to maintain safety and health, providers can furnish the service.
• Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) processes are postponed until further notice by the Agency.
• Retroactively performed screenings or resident reviews must document the reason for the delay in the completion of PASRR requirements.
• The Agency is waiving the PASRR process for recipients who evacuated due to an evacuation order or power outage and are admitted and discharged during the storm.
• Transportation vendors should continue providing services to all Medicaid enrollees as long as they are able.
• To locate blood donation centers in Florida, visit: Floridadonates.com.
• The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) continues its recovery efforts by looking into riverine flooding maps while simultaneously utilizing its GIS tracking feature to map and plot APD clients and Group Homes near various flooded rivers and areas.
• A small number of Supported Living clients are without power in Taylor and Lafayette counties; APD teams have visited and made wellness checks to these individuals on Tuesday, 8/6/24.
• APD teams are communicating with stakeholders and partners by providing lists of power outages, Comfort Stations and Points of Distribution (PODs).

Infrastructure, Roads, and State Closures

• The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) state transportation system sustained minimal damage overall, which includes some isolated areas of wind damage and localized flooding.
• Damage Assessments Complete: 150 crews assessed over 10,000 lane miles.
• All state road traffic signals have been restored except one.
• Bridge Inspections Complete: 69 Bridge Inspector Teams reviewed over 2,000 bridges.
• Cut & Toss Operations Complete: 181 crews cleared 6,596 miles of roadway. State roadways are now clear except for inaccessible locations. 
• Crews have begun debris removal along state roads throughout the state.
  • Additional crews from unaffected regional offices have mobilized to North Florida and are assisting with debris removal in high impacted areas. 
    • 243 FDOT team members
    • 196 pieces of heavy equipment
• Crews have begun the first pass of debris removal
  • Approximately 2,627 cubic yards of debris have been removed from state roads
• FDOT Teams continue to closely monitor water levels near major river crossings including Aucilla, Suwannee, Santa Fe, Fenholloway, Econfina, Withlacoochee, St. Marys, Manatee, Myakka, and Alapaha Rivers.
• FDOT Drone teams deployed to waterways to review water levels and any potential impacts.
• In one hour, FDOT Crews pumped 1,000’s of gallons of water off I-10 in Columbia County.
• FDOT is providing support to Suwannee County for County Road 137 which washed out due to flooding.
• Resources deployed in the field or available as needed:
  • Over 1,200 generators
  • Nearly 70 pumps
  • Over 230 pieces of heavy equipment and trucks
• FDOT waived standard size and weight restrictions for commercial vehicles transporting fuel, emergency equipment, services, supplies, and agriculture commodities and citrus. Commercial vehicles have an increased weight restriction to transport goods.
• FDOT encourages drivers to download the FL511 app or visit FL511.com for road/bridge closures and potential detours that may be activated. 
• Transit:
  • Some transit agencies in the impacted areas remain at limited service. Please check with your local transit agency on specific routes 
• State-Owned Road Closures (As of 9:00am 8/9/2024) State road closures listed below. For real-time updates, Check FL511.com. FDOT assisting city/county partners with localized flooding as requested.
• Alachua County
  • Flooding on SR-26 in Alachua County has clearded and is now open.
• Columbia County
  • Flooding on SR-247 Both Directions at CR-240. All lanes closed.
• Polk County
  • Flooding in Polk County on SR-37 South, at SR-674. All lanes closed.
  • Flooding in Polk County on SR-37 North, at SR-674. All lanes closed.
• Sarasota County
  • Flooding in Sarasota County on SR-777 / S River RD North, beyond Center Rd.
  • Flooding in Sarasota County on SR-777 / S River RD South, before Center Rd.
• Suwannee County
  • Flooding on US-90 Both Directions from 153rd Rd to 149th Rd. All lanes closed.
• Union County
  • Flooding on SR-18 in Union County has cleared and is now open.

• The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) F.L.O.W (Florida licensing on wheels) is participating in a one-stop business resource event today (8.9.24) along with other state agencies to provide Suwannee County residents with support following the storm.
• FHP is working with FDOT and county and local road departments in support of clearing roadways and supporting county sheriffs and local police agencies.
• 25 FHP UAV/drone teams are available for search and rescue and damage assessment missions, if needed.
• FHP is assisting with traffic control at a church on US129 in Live Oak while meals are being distributed to storm victims twice daily.
• FLHSMV has issued Emergency Order 24-03, which:
• waives specific requirements for commercial motor vehicles providing emergency relief; and
• waives the replacement fees for driver’s license and identification credentials, vehicle registrations and titles, vessel registrations and titles and temporary parking permits for impacted individuals.
• FHP remains in close communication with law enforcement and transportation partners and stands ready to assist with any potential impacts across the state. 
• The Department of Children and Families (DCF) Floridians impacted by a natural disaster requiring help to them get back on their feet can request help at: hopeflorida.com/get-help/hurricanedebby.html.
• Current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who lost food due to Hurricane Debby can apply for food assistance replacement online at MyFLFamilies.com/Debby.
• DCF has provided necessary staffing for 12 shelters in Columbia, Duval, Hamilton, Hernando, Manatee, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee, and Taylor counties.
• The Managing Entities stand ready to deploy mental health resources, as needed. 

• The Florida Department of Education all Florida State Colleges have reopened, and all school districts will open as planned for the first week of school.
• For the latest information from the Florida Department of Education regarding early learning providers, school districts and colleges reopening, please visit fldoe.org/storminfo.
• The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by Hurricane Debby will be able to apply for low-interest and interest-free loans beginning next week through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program.
  • Loans can be used by eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property – including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings – or to remove vegetative debris.
• To request assistance for your livestock and animals in critical need, please complete this form then send it to DAIOPSAssessment@FDACS.gov, or call 863-993-5460.
• UF/IFAS is studying the agricultural losses and damages resulting from Hurricane Debby. Producers can share information about impacts experienced at your farm, ranch, or aquaculture operation here
• Fuel inspectors are responding to impacted areas to ensure retail fuel dispensers are working properly and testing the quality of fuel.
  • Floridians are encouraged to call 1-800-HELP-FLA to report water-contaminated fuel issues to the department.
  • As of August 8, inspectors had completed preliminary inspections of 2,448 retail fuel stations in impacted areas. 
• Food safety inspectors are responding to impacted areas to conduct damage assessments and ensure the safe operation of permitted food establishments. 
  • As of August 8, inspectors have completed over 8,210 assessments of food establishments in impacted regions and determined over 9,818 facilities are open for business.
• Commissioner Wilton Simpson has approved an emergency rule to aid the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas to disaster recovery operations in impacted areas.
• Commissioner Wilton Simpson has approved an emergency order temporarily suspending the intrastate movement requirements for the transportation of animals. In addition, the following states have waived their interstate import requirements for Florida pets, horses and livestock leaving the state: Alabama, Georgia (does not include livestock), and South Carolina. 
• The Florida Forest Service has announced State Forest closures. An updated list can be found here. 
• Commissioner Wilton Simpson has approved an emergency rule authorizing out-of-state licensed security guards to protect people and property in Florida. 
• The department is coordinating with Florida’s ports and fuel industry partners to ensure adequate fuel supplies are available across Florida.
• The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) ) is actively working to provide any needed assistance to drinking water, wastewater and hazardous waste facilities. Outreach to these facilities to determine operational status is ongoing.
• DEP is working with Florida’s Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (FlaWARN), the Florida Rural Water Association and other response agencies to assist drinking and wastewater facilities. 99% of the community drinking water facilities in the impacted areas are operational.
• DEP and response agencies are working 1-on-1 with partially- and non-operational drinking and wastewater facilities to get them back to operational status as quickly as possible to meet the immediate service needs of the communities they serve.
• As drinking water services are restored, boil water advisories continue to be issued until ongoing sampling confirms the water supply is safe. Areas currently under boil water advisories can be found at https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/drinking-water/boil-water-notices/index.html.
• 57 Disaster Debris Management Sites have been authorized to operate for Hurricane Debby. These sites are a critical component of expediting clean-up and reducing environmental and public health impacts post-storm and meeting federal reimbursement requirements.
• DEP is conducting post-storm beach surveys to determine impacts to shorelines and erosion, as well as inspecting damage to beach projects from Pinellas through Collier counties.
• DEP’s Coastal Engineers have completed detailed damage assessments, which will be used to help manage beach recovery and project revisions with the local governments.  
• Florida’s water management districts are actively engaging local governments and drainage operators throughout the state to support flood control efforts, including deploying temporary pumps to alleviate localized flooding. The South Florida Water Management has deployed two temporary pumps to Collier County.
• The Southwest Florida Water Management District has activated the Tampa Bypass Canal System to help protect the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa from river flooding. The Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (HFDA) is now considered activated, and the empty reservoir will begin to fill with floodwaters. This action stops all or part of the flow of the Hillsborough River before it reaches the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa and stores it in the HFDA. The stored water can then be safely moved down to McKay Bay using the Tampa Bypass Canal.
• 98 state parks have reopened following Hurricane Debby. DEP published a storm updates webpage to keep state park visitors updated of closures: FloridaStateParks.org/StormUpdates. Visitors with existing camping and cabin reservations at closed parks have been notified of their reservation status.
• Following the issuance of the Governor’s Executive Order, DEP issued an Emergency Final Order allowing for the activation of disaster debris management sites to store and process storm generated solid waste and debris.
• DEP’s Emergency Final Order also removes barriers for expediting necessary repair, replacement and restoration of structures, including coastal structures, equipment, surface water management systems, works and other systems that 

Resources for Employees, Businesses, and Consumers

• The Florida Attorney General’s Office has activated the Florida price gouging hotline to accept reports of extreme price increases on essential commodities. The hotline number is (866) 966-7226.
• The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is co-located with FloridaCommerce and other state and private-sector partners to distribute supplies and provide resources at the One-Stop Business Resource in the City of Live Oak in Suwannee County.
• DBPR’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco checked 184 licensed locations in Suwanee and Levy Counties for damages.
• DBPR’s Division of Regulation performed sweeps across impacted areas in Dixie, Taylor, Baker, Levy, Sarasota, and Lee counties to identify and combat unlicensed activity.
• DBPR’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants inspection teams have conducted 323 disaster inspections and 48 outreach calls to impacted licensees in Jefferson, Taylor, Madison, Columbia and Suwannee Counties.
• DBPR encourages Florida’s licensed contractors who provide post-storm construction-related services to register with its Florida Disaster Contractors Network at DCNOnline.org.
• DBPR has partnered with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to waive pet policies and fees for evacuees at Florida-licensed lodging establishments.
  • Through this effort, anti-price gouging information and resources have been provided to more than 49,000 lodging establishments.
• FloridaCommerce and the Florida Division of Emergency Management announced a One-Stop Business Resource Center will be open Friday, August 9, 2024, at the Suwannee County Agricultural Coliseum in Live Oak (1302 SW 11th Street) from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
• Business owners can get in-person assistance with recovery resources.
  • On site will be:
    • FloridaCommerce
    • Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
    • Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles – FLOW Mobile
    • Office of Insurance Regulation
    • Florida Small Business Development Center Network Bus
    • CareerSource Florida
    • Citizens Insurance
  • Charging stations will also be onsite.
• FloridaCommerce has activated the private sector hotline at 850-815-4925, open daily 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Inquiries may also be emailed to ESF18@em.myflorida.com.
• Updates on business open/close status and business resources are consistently being updated at FloridaDisaster.biz/CurrentDisasterUpdates.
• FloridaCommerce is working with Publix, Walmart, CVS Health, Visit Florida, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, the Florida Retail Federation and other private sector partners to consistently update business open/close status on FloridaDisaster.biz/CurrentDisasterUpdates. FloridaCommerce staff have made more than 800 calls to rural businesses to help with this effort.
• FloridaCommerce has deployed more than 45 agency employees into impacted communities to help provide support for businesses in impacted communities.
• Private sector partners Walmart and Amazon have provided Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors to impacted communities.
• T-Mobile has set up charging stations in Suwannee and Columbia Counties.
• Lowe’s has provided materials and equipment to secure damaged buildings in impacted communities.
• The Office of Financial Regulation (OFR)  issued an amended proclamation to financial institutions and securities professionals.
• For previous updates see the below:
  • 8/02/2024
  • 8/03/2024
  • 8/04/2024
  • 8/04/2024
  • 8/05/2024
  • 8/05/2024
  • 8/06/2024
  • 8/07/2024
  • 8/08/2024

Follow FDEM on X, Instagram, and Facebook for updates and visit FloridaDisaster.org/Updates for information relating to Hurricane Debby.                 

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