20221113 Florida Responds to Impacts from Tropical Storm Nicole

November 14, 2022

On Saturday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the reopening of all sections of State Route (SR) A1A, while the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) proceeded with emergency repairs following damage from Hurricane Nicol. The storm caused extensive damage to parts of the scenic highway by washing away nearby sand dunes and eroding shoulders in three counties. Dozens of dump trucks hauled thousands of yards of filler material to keep the vehicles safe. Once the damaged areas of the road were filled in and stabilized, he re-opened SR A1A to restore access to these communities.

Power was restored to all accounts less than two days after Hurricane Nicol made landfall this week. Across the state, he helped more than 22,000 linemen stage power restoration efforts.

State responses include efforts to:

Florida Emergency Management Division

• At Governor DeSantis’ request, FEMA has approved a state of emergency declaration for Tropical Storm Nicole. FEMA Public Assistance Category B (Emergency Safeguards) includes Alachua, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands and Hillsboro. , Indian River, Jefferson, Lake, Lee, Levi, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. John’s, St. Lucie County , Sumter County, Taylor County, Volusia County, Wakulla County, Florida Indian Miccosukee, and Florida Seminole.
• On November 10, FEMA approved a draft amendment to the Emergency Declaration for Tropical Storm Nicole, including Baker, Columbia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwanee, and Union. , added Washington counties to the public. Support category B.
• Floridians affected by Hurricane Nicole need help with recovery efforts such as clearing fallen trees, removing drywall and flooring, sheeting roofs, and mitigating mold. 1-800-451-1954Crisis cleanup is Friday, November 25th.
• FDEM has enabled the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) to provide an additional resource for Floridians to receive information about recovery resources for Hurricanes Nicole and Ian. Residents and visitors can call this toll-free hotline. 1-800-342-3557.
• FDEM Restoration Liaisons are coordinating with affected counties to conduct joint preliminary damage assessments upon request.
• FDEM deployed shelter support staff to meet the staffing needs of counties with public hurricane shelters.
• A team of 20 counselors supported shelter residents and law enforcement officers with emotional stress from PTSD and past and present trauma from Hurricanes Nicole and Ian.
• FDEM has deployed requested resources for county response efforts, including:
• 18 pallets of water and a truckload of MRE to Orange County
• MRE Pallets to Nassau County
• 350kw generator to Brevard County serving as backup power for wastewater treatment plant
• Four pumps to Volusia County to help with flood control

insurance

infrastructure

• Use FL511 to get real-time traffic updates, road closures and other travel information at www.FL511.com.
• An emergency repair on State Route A1A through all three counties has reopened the roadway. The crew worked his round the clock and reopened the road in just three days.
• Over 250 damage assessment teams have been deployed and road assessments are now 100% complete.
• A crew of 50 bridge inspectors has cleared more than 1,200 national bridges statewide.
• • Bridge check is 100% complete.
• 34 cut-and-toss teams have paved the way for emergency responders, utility services and supplies delivery.
• The cut and toss strategy is now 100% complete. The crew has cleared more than 10,000 miles of state highways in northeast and east-central Florida.

driveway and bridge

• All storm-related closures are now open.

transit

• All transport is now open.

Health and welfare services

• Boil Water Notices are issued in 17 localities, and seven counties publish comprehensive statewide notice lists that residents can access online.
• The State Surgeon General signed Emergency Order 22-253. This order authorizes pharmacists to dispense up to 30 days of emergency prescription replenishment of maintenance medications to persons residing in the areas or counties covered by this executive order and to emergency personnel activated by this executive order. I can do it. A state or local agency, but not located in the area or county covered by this executive order.
• The State Surgeon General has signed Emergency Order 22-007 to authorize licensed basic life support providers, licensed advanced life support providers, and licensed air ambulance services from the counties in which they operate. suspended the requirement to obtain a certificate of convenience and necessity.
• Local poison control centers are available to provide poison call center services, data collection, and reporting in response to storms. If an individual suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911 or the Florida Poison Information Center at 1-800-222-1222.
• As of Saturday morning, two medical facilities are now reporting generator power.
• The Emergency Patient Retrieval System (E-PLUS) has been activated and staff are assisting with end-user qualification and training.

education

• All school districts and state colleges open on Mondays.

law enforcement

• FWC officers in affected areas of the state remain on high alert and are available to respond to requests for assistance from local and state emergency management agencies.
• FWC personnel have a variety of specialized equipment to assist in recovery efforts, including shallow water draft boats, ATVs, airboats, and four-wheel drive vehicles.
• FHP will continue to monitor roads and bridges and will be in contact with law enforcement, transportation and emergency management partners to identify and assist response efforts.
• FHP has deployed mobile command centers in the affected areas to provide enhanced communications capabilities and additional resources.
• FHP’s unmanned aerial vehicle team is ready to assist with damage assessment work.
• The FWC has made publicly available information at myfwc.com/notices/ regarding the closure of wildlife management areas, fish management areas, shooting ranges and FWC offices due to the impact of anticipated Tropical Storm Nicole.
• FHP maintains high visibility on the interstate system, bridges and rest areas. Drivers can report impaired vehicles or unsafe driving conditions to *FHP (*347).
• FLHSMV has issued emergency order 111022.
• Exempts certain requirements for commercial vehicles providing emergency relief.When
• Waives driver license and identification, vehicle registration and ownership, vessel registration and ownership, and temporary parking permit reissue fees for affected individuals.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

• Following the issuance of the Governor’s executive order, DEP will expedite the necessary repairs, replacements, and restoration of structures, equipment, surface water management systems, works, and other systems necessitated by Tropical Storm Nicole. has issued an urgent final order. Streamlined requirements for storm debris management.
• DEP has issued a modified emergency final order incorporating additional counties included in the governor’s modified executive order.
• Following the Governor’s Second Amendment Executive Order, the DEP issued the Second Amendment Emergency Final Order, consolidating all 67 counties.
• All critical hazardous waste facilities in the affected counties have been contacted and there have been no reports of storm damage or discharges or discharges of hazardous waste.
• At the direction of Gov. DeSantis, the DEP will use existing $20 million funding in emergency sand deployments to help local governments address significant dune and coastal erosion caused by Hurricanes Nicole and Ian. offers.
• A beach assessment team was deployed in southeastern Florida to begin investigating windshields. The Beach engineering team will be deployed to assess the impact of the storm in northeast Florida (Volusia, Flagler, St. John’s counties). These assessments help inform the need for additional short-term and long-term recovery and the development of a Hurricane Recovery Plan that will be submitted to Congress for funding consideration.
• Nine Disaster Debris Management Sites (DDMS) were identified for damage from Hurricane Nicol. DDMS is a key factor in expediting cleanup, reducing environmental and public health impacts, and meeting federal reimbursement requirements.
• Find out more about Florida State Park closures here.
• National Estuary Research Reserve and Aquatic Reserve closures can be found at floridadep.gov/rcp/aquatic-preserve.

business support

• The Florida Department of Economic Opportunities (DEO) has activated a private sector hotline at 850-815-4925 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Inquiries can also be emailed to ESF18@em.myflorida.com.
• DEO is Business damage survey To assess the impact of Hurricane Nicole on Florida businesses, visit FloridaDisaster.Biz.
• The DEO updates FloridaDisaster.biz with real-time information to help business owners prepare their businesses, families, and employees for Tropical Storm Nicole.

license

• DBPR EMERGENCY ORDER 2022-07 ensures registered electrical and alarm contractors are not subject to geographic scope restrictions or requirements when providing contract services to counties listed in the emergency order Remove the restriction for

selection

• Secretary of State Cod Byrd Issues Emergency Order Suspending Important Deadline for People in Affected Counties to Ensure All Ballots Are Accurately Counted While State Responds to Tropical Storm Nicole Did. Learn more about this order here.