The numbers are in almost a week after Hurricane Milton’s arrival. Flagler County suffered $18.8 million in damages from the storm, according to figures released by the county government. Though it’s a hefty price tag, it’s hard not to think of how much worse the damage could’ve been, and how much worse other Florida counties fared.
The Flagler County government was quick to remind residents that applications are open for disaster relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Those who sustained damage during the storm are able to apply for federal funding to reimburse repairs and recovery costs, either as an individual resident, business, or local government. Those who apply will be contacted in the physical mail or via email in the coming days prompting them to take the next steps to access the money.
“Most housing assistance will be money to reimburse lodging expenses, provide help with rent, provide help with home repair, or – in a worst-case scenario – help with home replacement,” said Flagler Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord.
Other items FEMA is able to help with include assistance to those who’ve been put out of their homes, home-cleaning, medical costs, child care, transportation, moving and storage, flood insurance matters, and urgent needs. The window to submit applications is expected to close some time around December 10th, and so those in need of assistance are encouraged to apply sooner rather than later.
The breakdown of damage to Flagler County is as follows, according to data from the county’s report:
- Damage Costs: $18.8 million
- Flagler Beach – $10.95 million
- Palm Coast – $4.69 million
- Unincorporated Flagler – $1.56 million
- Beverly Beach – $1.43 million
- Bunnell – $195,830
- Marineland – no data
- Estimated Structural Debris: 145.3k cubic yards
- Estimated Vegetative Debris: 43.4k cubic yards
- Property Damage Instances by Severity:
- Affected: 308
- Minor: 70
- Major: 17
- Destroyed: 0
- Inaccessible: 27
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
