NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Due to the interaction of a stalled cold front and an upper-level low-pressure system, abundant moisture has prevailed over Volusia County since Sunday, said Shelley Szafraniec, spokeswoman for Volusia County, with New Smyrna Beach leading the way with 16.35 inches as of 7 a.m. today.
Over the past four days, cumulative rainfall amounts exceeding 16 inches have been reported in Volusia County. So far, the greatest amount of rain has fallen in central and northern Volusia County.
Yesterday, high tides and strong east-northeast winds backed up the outflow along the intracoastal waterway, which amplified the flooding in some communities along the river. Besides New Smyrna Beach, some of the cities receiving the greatest rainfall totals are:
● Daytona Beach Airport - 16.21 inches
● Edgewater - 15.82 inches
● Ormond Beach - 14.9 inches
● DeLeon Springs - 13.92 inches
● Ponce Inlet - 13.05 inches
● DeLand - 12.06 inches
VOLUSIA COUNTY GOVERNMENT RESPONSE AND INFORMATION
Extraction: Volusia County Fire Services and the Daytona Beach Fire Department are responding to requests to transport people out of flooded areas.
Stormwater: Volusia County’s Public Works Department has provided and continues to provide mutual aid to several locations.
Damage and disaster assessment: County Property Appraiser Morgan Gilreath and his staff began conducting preliminary damage assessment
Wednesday, and the process continues today. Preliminary damage reports total $3 million and include:
● 20 commercial properties in Daytona Beach, Holly Hill and Ormond
Beach
● Two public buildings in Daytona Beach, one in Holly Hill and one
in Ormond Beach
● 59 single family homes
The American Red Cross damage assessment process also is under way.
Volusia County Public Works: Sand and empty sandbags are available for county residents from 7 a.m. - dusk. Residents should bring shovels and be prepared to fill and transport the bags. There will be a 25 bag limit per household. Garbage bags can be used to replace sandbags if suppliesbhave been exhausted. Materials are available at the following locations:
o Volusia County Fire Station 23 (Turnbull), 1850 Pioneer Trail, New Smyrna Beach
o Volusia County Road and Bridge, 530 N. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach
o Volusia County Fire Station 22 (Oak Hill), 213 N. Hwy. U.S. 1, Oak Hill
o Volusia County Fire Station 11, 1580 Derbyshire Road, Holly Hill
o Volusia County Fire Station 13, 15 Southland Road, Ormond Beach
Daytona Beach International Airport: No major interruptions in operations have been reported.
Emergency Operations Center: Volusia County’s Emergency Management Division remains in close contact with the municipal Emergency Operations Centers and supports their efforts. As of this morning the cities of Daytona Beach, Holly Hill and Ormond Beach activated their Emergency Operations Centers Wednesday.
Votran: Buses serving Votran's fixed routes on Thursday, May 21, are detoured due to flooded roadways, with unexpected changes caused by weather. Due to heavy traffic caused by street closures the bus system is experiencing delays. Votran riders are encouraged to call Votran for route information before making a trip. Detours exist on Routes 3, 3A,
3B, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 17B, 40 and 60. For information about Votran's fixed route service, please call: (386) 761-7700 (Daytona Beach), (386) 424-6800 (Southeast Volusia), (386) 943-7033 (West Volusia).
Mosquitoes: Officials anticipate a significant increase the number of mosquitoes at the end of next week. Residents should empty the water in containers around homes and businesses to control immature mosquitoes. If these containers are emptied, they will not develop into adult mosquitoes. Residents should limit dawn and dusk outdoor activities,
wear long-sleeve tops and pants for prolonged outdoor activities, and apply insect repellent. Volusia County Mosquito Control employees are controlling immature mosquitoes in the numerous rain puddles and planning for ground and aerial adult mosquito control as needed.
SANDBAGS
Sandbags are available at the following locations:
Daytona Beach: Materials for sandbags is available at the public works facility, 950 Bellevue Ave., Waste Pro, 925 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., and Fire Station #4, 1675 Mason Ave. until 6 p.m. today. Residents are asked to bring their own shovels and identification.
Ormond Beach: The city’s Public Works Department, 501 N. Orchard St., is open for city residents to pick up sand bags from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. today. Each household may receive 10 sand bags. Residents must show identification.
Port Orange: Sandbags and dirt are available while supplies last at five fire stations:
o Station 71, 4200 Ridgewood Ave.
o Station 72, 6027 Central Park Blvd.
o Station 73, 1090 City Center Blvd.
o Station 74, 6701 Airport Road
o Station 75, 1701 Town West Blvd.
The distribution center at the city warehouse, 500 Oak St., has been closed because it is in a flooded area. There is a limit of 25 bags per vehicle. Residents must bring shovels to fill their own bags. Double-lined trash bags work just as well as sandbags.
ST. JOHNS RIVER SUMMARY
As of noon Wednesday, the St. Johns River water levels were:
● Astor - 1.91 feet above normal with a flood stage of 2.8 feet.
● DeLand - 1.85 feet above normal with a flood stage of 4.2 feet
● Sanford - 1.85 feet above normal with a flood stage of 6 feet
● Lake Harney - 2.38 feet above normal with a flood stage of 8.3
feet
Astor is the only area of concern at this time. As of Thursday afternoon the National Weather Service anticipates that Astor will reach 2.5 feet by Thursday afternoon. Volusia County’s Emergency Management Division is coordinating no-wake zones and boat ramp closures in anticipation of the long weekend.
EDGEWATER
The City of Edgewater has two flooded areas of concern: West Park Avenue in the 100 and 200 blocks, and Cheetah Avenue at Canal Street.
TRAINS
Some interruption in the transit of trains has been reported due to high water along and at times over the tracks in Holly Hill.
POWER OUTAGES
There were approximately 3,000 residents without power Wednesday morning. Ninety percent were restored by noon. Most of the power loss was due to fallen trees and limbs.
VOLUSIA COUNTY SCHOOLS
* Campbell Middle School, Turie T. Small Elementary School and Chiles
* Academy in Daytona Beach are closed due primarily due to access issues.
DAYTONA STATE COLLEGE
Due to continuing rain and increased flooding, all campuses of Daytona State College will close for classes at 2 p.m. today, Thursday, May 21. Classes will resume Tuesday, May 26.
Employees are asked to report to work as usual or contact their supervisor if they are impacted by the weather.
EMERGENCY SHELTERS
Florida's Coast to Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross has opened a shelter at the Westside Baptist Church, 1085 Mason Ave., Daytona Beach. For those in need of sheltering elsewhere in Volusia and Flagler counties, please contact the American Red Cross at (386) 226-1400. Residents seeking shelter are reminded to bring food, special dietary items, bedding, medication, toiletry items and games/toys.
DAYTONA BEACH
Because Daytona Beach is experiencing a tremendous amount of rainfall causing localized flooding, city officials urge motorists to stay off flooded roads and out of low-lying areas.
The city’s sewer plants are operating at near capacity. The plant normally processes about 11 million gallons of sewage per day. Right now, they are processing 25 million gallons with increases expected. Residents are asked to reduce further stress to the system by not flushing toilets or washing clothes. If residents notice sewage backups, they are asked to call the city's Emergency Operation Center at (386) 671-5555 and crews will be dispatched upon notification. At this time, the drinking water is not affected.
Daytona Beach citizens who have questions related to the rainfall can
call (386) 671-5555.
HOLLY HILL
The City of Holly Hill has opened its Citizen Information Center for citizens with questions related to the significant rain. The number is (386) 248-9410.
Citizens can get up-to-date traffic and law enforcement information at www.twitter.com/hollyhillpolice.
The Holly Hill Fire Department is conducting evacuations when requested. Citizens requesting evacuation to high ground should call 248-9410.
Potable water supply is protected and of excellent quality. Drinking water has not been compromised.
Motorists are asked to limit travel on surface streets to local traffic only. Vehicle wakes in flooded areas continue to cause additional damage to homes/businesses.
LPGA Boulevard is open for east/west travel. Ridgewood Avenue and Nova Road are open for north/south traffic.
Residents are urged to avoid contact with standing water and prohibit children from playing in flood water. The water is unsafe and
unsanitary and can cause illness or injury.
HOLLY HILL
Flood water is unsafe and unsanitary and can cause illness or injury.
PORT ORANGE
The worst flooding is concentrated at Dunlawton Avenue and Spruce Creek Road and many of the subdivisions along Spruce Creek Road.
VOLUSIA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
In areas where septic systems are used for sewage disposal, residents may not be able to flush toilets, do laundry, shower, etc., for some time. Until floodwaters recede, residents with septic systems who are experiencing flushing problems are advised to minimize their use of water. Residents should consider washing their laundry at a commercial Laundromat and using a portable toilet, which can be rented locally.
Children should be restricted from playing in flooded areas, especially where there are submerged septic systems. Besides bacteria and virus contamination, there may be chemicals from storm water runoff, snakes, or other unseen hazards in the floodwater.
Residents are advised to not use the water from flooded or nearly flooded wells, especially if there is a nearby flooded septic tank. If the well pumps discolored water or water with unusual taste, the water should not be used for drinking purposes.
Water from wells, in which the casings have been submerged, should not be used until after the floodwater has receded and the well has been bacteriologically tested and found to be safe for drinking water purposes. When well water is questionable, residents should use bottled water or boiled water for consumptive purposes. To properly boil water, so that it is free from any disease-causing bacteria, boil the water vigorously for three minutes and then cool prior to usage.
Bacteriological testing can be done by a private certified laboratory or the County’s Environmental Health laboratory at a cost of $20 per sample.
For information on availability of bacteriological testing, call the Volusia County Health Department laboratory at (386) 248-1781 or your nearest Environmental Health office in: Daytona (386) 274-0692; DeLand (386) 822-6250; New Smyrna Beach (386) 424-2061