VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – With hurricane season just two days away, Volusia County officials held a town hall meeting to prepare News Smyrna Beach residents for potential impacts, after Hurricane Ian left lasting scars on the community.
“We just did this, didn’t we? We just got out of this, so we’re back,” said Austin Beeghly with the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Corry Brown, Volusia County community services operations manager, shared information about the Volusia Helps App.
“Because this can be updated so quickly, this gives us the opportunity to put information out if there’s additional services or a change in services because of a disaster,” Brown said.
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Another presenter highlighted the Transform 386 program, designed to aid low to moderate-income residents affected by Hurricane Ian with home rehabilitation, reconstruction, and repair reimbursements.
Maia Wallace said Ian was her first hurricane. She shared one of the most important points she learned during the town hall.
“To take it seriously and to make sure that you have everything ahead of time so you’re not scrambling last minute,” she said.
County officials distributed a list of recommended items for basic emergency supply kits, urging residents to stock up as disaster preparedness supplies will be tax-free for two weeks starting Saturday.
Some of the supplies county leaders suggested are: water, non perishable foods batteries, flashlight, first aid kit, whistle, water and more.
Jerriann Zucker, a longtime resident, recounted the devastation of Hurricane Ian.
Zucker said she hopes to be better prepared this time around.
“We lost everything, family pictures that can never be replaced because some of the people passed away,” she said. “It was traumatizing for everyone.”