2010s8-volusiahurr

2 VOLUSIA CountyHOMETOWN NEWS Friday, May 28, 2010HURRICANE GUIDE - 2010

Save a life. Make a difference.Empower someone to changethe lives of their friends and

neighbors by giving them valuable CPRand first-aid skills. Volunteer to help.Learn to swim. Teach babysitting. Helpour youth become tomorrow’s leaders.Each of these life changing experiencesis possible through the American RedCross.

Being prepared and making adifference is what this special tabloidproduced by Hometown News is allabout. Through the expert articles andinformation in this publication, wehave the ability to change a life andissue a call to action to accomplish allof the items above.

As you read the information in theOfficial Red Cross Hometown NewsHurricane Guide, pay close attention toyour evacuation routes and Red Crossshelters you may need this hurricaneseason.

Many of the articles about Red Crossvolunteers and our response to disas-ters other than hurricanes will give youvaluable insight into the work of theAmerican Red Cross. We are here to

provide disaster services,health and safetytraining, and communi-cations with our service-men and womenthroughout the year,365- days, 24-hours-a-day.

But, we would not beable to do our jobwithout your valuabledonation of time anddollars. Frankly, manypeople are still not awarethat the American RedCross receives no federal,state or local tax dollars.

That is why it is critical-ly important that each ofyou reading this publica-tion ask yourself, “Whathave I done to help the Red Cross helpmy community, my friends, and myneighbors?”

Helping the Red Cross can be assimple as becoming a volunteer or asvaluable as becoming a donor. Howyou help is your preference. We onlyask that in these very trying economic

times that you help insome way.

We also urge you to helpyourself and your familybe better prepared forhurricane season or anyemergency by followingsome very simple steps tobe Red Cross ready:

Make a kit. The Ameri-can Red Cross recom-mends everyone purchaseor make an emergency-preparedness kit, with atleast three days’ worth of

essential items needed byeach household member.Essential items includewater (1 gallon per person,per day), nonperishablefood, a flashlight, a battery-

or crank-operated radio, extra batter-ies, a manual can opener, cash andimportant medications. Store items insturdy, sealable, easy-to-carry contain-ers. Remember to check your kit everysix months and replace expired items.

Make a plan. As part of making aplan, the American Red Cross recom-

mends creating and practicing anevacuation and communications plan.Each person in your household shouldknow how to reach other members andwhere to meet if you can’t go home.

As part of your communicationsplan, choose an out-of-area relative orfriend as an emergency contact andmake sure all your household mem-bers know how to contact this person.

As part of your evacuation plan,choose two meeting places: one rightoutside of your home in case you needto escape in a hurry, such as in theevent of a home fire, and one outsideyour neighborhood, in case a disasterprevents you from returning home.

Be informed. Being informed meansfinding out what types of disasters arelikely to occur where you live, work andplay, and how you would receiveinformation from local officials in theevent of a disaster.

Part of being informed is learningfirst aid, CPR and how to use an AED,so you have the skills to respond to anemergency when help is delayed.

Your local Red Cross is prepared.Are you?

Dan RollExecutive Director

American Red CrossCoast to Coast Chapter

See PREPARED, 9

3VOLUSIA CountyHOMETOWN NEWS

Friday, May 28, 2010 HURRICANE GUIDE - 2010

Volusia county sheltersEast Volusia shelters

• Pine Trail Elementary, 300 Airport Road, Ormond Beach • Pathways Elementary, 2100 Airport Road, Ormond Beach • Hinson Middle, 1860 N. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach • Palm Terrace Elementary (SNS and PF) 1825 Dunn Ave, Daytona Beach • Campbell Middle 625 South Keech Street Daytona Beach • Mainland High School, 1255 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach • Atlantic High School (SNS and PF), 1250 Reed Canal Road, Port Orange • Horizon Elementary, 4751 Hidden Lakes Drive, Port Orange • Sweetwater Elementary, 5800 Victoria Gardens Blvd., Port Orange • Creekside Middle (SNS and PF), 6801 Airport Road, Port Orange •Cypress Creek, 6100 S. Williamson, Port Orange• New Smyrna Beach High School, 1015 10th St., New Smyrna Beach

West Volusia shelters

• T.D. Taylor Middle/High 100 E. Washington Ave., Pierson• DeLand High School, 800 N. Hill Ave., DeLand • DeLand Middle, 1400 Aquarius Ave., DeLand • Freedom Elementary (SNS and PF), 1395 S. Blue Lake, DeLand • Volusia Pines Elementary, 500 E. Kicklighter Road, Lake Helen • Friendship Elementary, 2746 Fulford St., Deltona • Deltona High School (SIP), 100 Wolf Pack Run, Deltona • Galaxy Middle (SNS and PF), 2400 Eustace Ave., Deltona

• Timbercrest Elementary, 2401 Eustace Ave., Deltona • Deltona Lakes Elementary, 2022 Adelia Blvd., Deltona • Spirit Elementary, 1500 Meadowlark Drive, Deltona • Discovery Elementary, 975 Abigail Drive, Deltona • Forest Lake Elementary, 1600 Doyle Road, Deltona • Sunrise Elementary 3155 Phonetia Drive, Deltona • Heritage Middle (SNS and PF), 1001 Parnell Court, Deltona • Pine Ridge High School (SIP), 925 Howland Blvd., Deltona • Pride Elementary, 1100 Learning Lane, Deltona• DeBary Elementary, 88 W. Highbanks Road, DeBary • Manatee Cove Elementary School 734 W. Ohio Ave., Orange City• River Springs Middle, 734 W. Ohio Ave., Orange City• Osteen Elementary, 500 Doyle Road, Osteen • Volusia County Fairgrounds (PPS), 3150 E. State Road 44, DeLand (1/4 mile east of Interstate-4 on State Road 44)

SIP: Shelter Information Point (central location to direct evacuees to shelters in Deltona)SNS: Special Needs Shelter – Assists evacuees who are elderly, physically, mentally or sensory disabled, visually or hearing impaired, or require oxygen. It is also a Pet Friendly shelter for PSNs (People with Special Needs).PF: Pet Friendly – people and pets are housed in separate locations at the shelterPPS: People & Pet Shelter (people and pets are housed in the same location – Fairgrounds only)

Special needsshelters


The following shelters willprovide assistance for those withspecial needs:

•Palm Terrace Elementary, 1825Dunn Ave., Daytona Beach

•Atlantic High School, 1250Reed Canal Road, Port Orange

•Creekside Middle, 6801 AirportRoad, Port Orange

• Freedom Elementary, 1395 S.Blue Lake, DeLand

• Galaxy Middle, 2400 EustaceAvenue, Deltona

• Heritage Middle, 1001 ParnellCourt, Deltona

Those with special needs mayrequest an application by calling(866) 600-9416.

Serious flooding leads to better safeguards

DAYTONA BEACH — When the floodsof May, 2009, finally drained away, they leftbehind one good thing — an increasedeffort to solve the flooding problems thathave long plagued the area. And withstorm season approaching, the work takeson renewed importance.

Daytona Beach City CommissionerRichard Shiver said the May floods were awake-up call.

“There’s more being done right now forflood mitigation than I can remember,” hesaid.

The culprit in most of the flooding lastMay was the Nova Canal, and that was thereason for the formation of the East Volu-sia Regional Water Authority, made up ofthe cities affected by the canal.

Mr. Shiver, who is on the oversightboard for the authority, said one idea thathas been discussed by the authority is toinstall dams, or “weirs,” to prevent theHalifax River from backing up into canalsduring storms.

All of the authority’s plans for flood miti-gation are still in the “modeling” phase.

The individual cities in East Volusia havebeen busy cleaning out culverts, repairing

pipes and planning major projects.Shannon Ponitz, project coordinator for

Daytona Beach Public Works Department,said improvements that will have a bigeffect require a lot of time.

“It takes a while to get the design,” shesaid. “And then you have the approvalsand the construction.”

Daytona Beach has designated the NovaCanal Basin, generally bounded by MasonAvenue, Nova Road, Beville Road andRidgewood Avenue, as a priority area.

A project at South Street was recentlystarted and is expected to take about eightmonths. The pipes under the street arebeing replaced because they failed duringthe May floods causing road damage. Thepipes provide outflow from the Butts Parkarea.

The next project to get started in Day-tona Beach is likely to be retention pondsat North Avenue and Mark Street. It is now

out for bids.In the design phase is the Midtown

Stormwater Plan. This project will be donein three phases and will include backflowpreventers at the Nova Canal and newpump stations throughout the area.

Ormond Beach officials also identifiedtheir flood problem areas, thanks to theMay flood. The area between Nova Roadand U.S. Highway 1 for the entire length ofthe city is now targeted by the city as wellas several area streets.

Ted McCleod, assistant city manager,said the city is seeking FEMA funding tostart a project to connect the lakes in Cen-tral Park with Laurel Creek and installpumps. This would enable the city to drawthe water down when storms threaten.

Projects to mitigate flooding on HandAvenue and John Anderson Drive are part

See FLOODING, 19

By Wayne [email protected]

“There’s more being done right now for flood mitigation than Ican ever remember.”

Richard ShiverDaytona Beach City Commissioner



Hometown News file photoJeff Heckler (right) of New Smyrna Beach serves a hot meal to Henry Robinsonof Daytona Beach at the STAR Family Center in Daytona Beach last year.

Homeless not forgottenduring hurricane season

VOLUSIA COUNTY – When a hurri-cane or other natural disaster threatensthe area, advance notices are given soresidents have time to prepare to evacu-ate or hunker down to wait out thestorm.

For the homeless, who may be withoutaccess to newspapers, TV and radio, it’s adifferent story because they may notknow of the impending danger andemergency personnel have a difficulttime locating them.

But local organizations like the Volu-sia/Flagler Coalition for the Homelessare here to help the homeless find safeshelter during natural disasters. In part-nership with Halifax Urban Ministriesand with grants from the State of Flori-da’s Department of Children and Fami-lies and Volusia County, the coalition

opened the area’s first homeless assis-tance facility on North Street in DaytonaBeach in 2003.

The Star Center is open seven days aweek and provides hot meals, outreach,counseling and referrals, wellnessassessments, clothes, showers, laundry,and employment assistance.

Tony Schefstad, executive director ofthe coalition, says there has been a rise inthe number of homeless in this area dueto the poor economy. And while count-ing the homeless is difficult, it is criticalto have an estimate of their numbersduring an emergency, he said.

“They (homeless) are mobile andattempt to be invisible,” he said.

Federal law requires the homelesscoalition to compile surveys and tallythem every two years to keep track of thenumber of those living on the streets. Butthe homeless coalition does this every

By Dale [email protected]

See HOMELESS, 18


In the event of an emergency,all residents are urged to call911.

But when the situation affords,there are several public serviceavailable for citizens in times ofstress.

Below is a list of emergency contactnumbers in east Volusia County.

• Florida’s Coast-to-Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross, 341 White St., Daytona Beach, is (386) 226-1400.

• Ormond Beach Police Department,(386) 677-0731 and Fire/Rescue, (386) 676-3255 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday

• Holly Hill Police Department(386) 248-9475 and Fire/Rescue, (386) 248-9473

• Daytona Beach Police Department,(386) 323-3569 and Fire/Rescue, (386) 671-4000

• Port Orange Police Department, (386) 506-5800 and Fire/Rescue, (386) 506-5900

• South Daytona Police Department,(386) 322-3030 and Fire/Rescue, (386) 322-3033

• Daytona Beach Shores Departmentof Public Safety, (386) 763-5321

• Ponce Inlet Police Department,(386) 236-2160 and Fire/Rescue, (386) 322-6720

• New Smyrna Beach Police Department, (386) 424-2000 and Fire/Rescue, (386) 424-2163, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday

• Edgewater Police Department, (386) 424-2000 and Fire/Rescue, (386) 424-2445

• Oak Hill Police Department, (386) 423-3888 and Fire/Rescue, (386) 345-5515

• Volusia County Sheriff’s Office in East Volusia County, (386) 248-1777, enter No. 1, in West Volusia County, (386) 736-5999. enter No. 1.

• Coast Guard National Response Center, (800) 424-8802; Florida state watch office, (800) 320-0519; Ponce Inlet station, (386) 428-9085

• Volusia County Emergency Management Services: (386) 736-5980 (West Volusia)(386) 258-4088 (Daytona Beach)(386) 423-3395 (New Smyrna Beach)

NUMBERS TO CALL IN TIMES OF NEEDNUMBERS TO CALL IN TIMES OF NEED

Hometown News file photoSica Hall in Holly Hill became a disas-ter relief agency for the Red Cross dur-ing the May 2009 flooding that putmuch of Holly Hill underwater.

Help is here



Mention the word ERV toanyone who has survived ahurricane and they will

immediately know the meaning ofthe three-letter word that sounds likeyour uncle Irv. The word refers to theAmerican Red Cross EmergencyResponse Vehicle (ERV).

When a hurricane or tropical stormthreatens Florida, the AmericanNational Red Cross begins to mobi-lize in advance of the system makinglandfall. ERV’s are strategicallyplaced where they outside the strikearea, yet close enough to beginarriving in the impacted zone as soonas conditions are safe. Each ERV willbring much needed food and waterto residents and rescue workers.

“Red Cross Volunteers are trainedto operate the ERVs. It is one of themost rewarding experiences avolunteer can have when they seethe smiles and happiness from adisaster victim who has just

received a hot meal and water aftera disaster,” said Rob Shelt, Director,Disaster Services, American RedCross Martin County Chapter.

ERV operators may make severaltrips each day from supply head-quarters or kitchens where food andwater are stockpiled or cooked.

“When we are not able to supply ahot meal, we bring snacks, HeaterMeals™, and other food items to thevictims and rescue workers. Whenthere is a really bad storm andconditions do not allow us to reachsome victims for days, this may bethe first food and water they haveseen in quite some time,” addedShelt.

A typical distribution run by an ERVcrew involves an early morningarrival to a supply center. A logisticsmeeting the night before has deter-mined specific routes for each ERVcrew. Once at the supply center,available food and beverage is loaded

into back of the ERV and the crewdeparts to a designated neighbor-hood to begin distribution.

When the ERV arrives at itsassigned neighborhood, a volunteermakes announcements on a loud-speaker fixed to the top of the vehicleletting everyone who needs food andwater to come forward.

“Literally, we have seen peoplecome running to get food and water.We are glad to be there when help isneeded,” said Shelt.

Depending on the extent of thedamage left by a hurricane or tropicalstorm, an ERV crew may makeseveral runs distributing food andwater each day.

“Our goal is to get food and waterto people as soon as possible andcontinue to provide them with helpuntil power is restored or fixedfeeding areas with food and waterare established,” added Shelt.

Client assistance cards continue to provide help

As disaster victims move from theimmediate aftermath of a hurricane,the American Red Cross continues toprovide support. Red Cross ServiceCenters are established when mobilefeeding operations cease. Red CrossService Centers provide trained RedCross Volunteers who evaluate eachdisaster victim’s specific recoveryneed. Based on the individual orfamily’s need, the American RedCross may provide financial assis-tance in the form of a Client Assis-tance Card (CAC).

Client Assistance Cards are funda-mentally electronic debit cards. Eachis loaded with funding essential tomeet the assessed needs of theindividual or family. Everyone whoreceives a Client Assistance Card istrusted to be good stewards of

ERVs and CACs to the rescue after a hurricane

See ERV, 9


VOLUSIA COUNTY — When a hurri-cane or tornado hits the area, the Amer-ican Red Cross is on the scene providinghelp to displaced families.

But, the non-profit organization’sassistance reaches beyond hurricanesand tornados.

They also help during other disasters,everything from plane and train crashesto wildfires and sinkholes. The recentdeluge of rain that soaked East VolusiaCounty and caused widespread flood-ing is a good example.

The American Red Cross was foundedin 1881 by Clara Barton and has growninto the nation’s largest emergencyresponse organization.

Florida’s Coast to Coast American RedCross chapter here in Central Floridaresponded to more than 300 home fireslast year, making it the number one dis-aster they responded to.

“We help people get back on theirfeet,” said Dan Roll, executive director

of the chapter. “We help provide short-term lodging, food, etc.”

In some cases, the chapter can alsoprovide temporary rent money.

In addition to home fires, the RedCross also works with various city andcounty agencies during emergencies,such as the recent wildfires throughoutVolusia County. They are ready with“standby” shelters, Mr. Roll said.

But, all of this work is done by volun-teers and funded strictly through dona-tions, Mr. Roll said.

The Disaster Action Team are volun-teers trained by the American Red Crossto respond to various emergencies.

Mr. Roll said people often want to vol-unteer after a disaster hits but they areusually placed outside the actionbecause of a lack of training.

“We are always looking for more vol-unteers,” Mr. Roll said. “We need themtrained before the disaster hits.”

Each month, the Red Cross contactsvolunteers to see who would be “oncall” during that time, Mr. Roll said.

In addition to volunteers, Mr. Rollsaid donations are always welcome.

They have been hit hard by the eco-nomic crisis, Mr. Roll said.

“We are not government-funded,” hesaid. “Donations are really important.”

The Red Cross accepts only cashdonations.“We do not accept material

donations,” Mr. Roll said. “Cash dona-tions help us streamline our resources.”

For more information on the Ameri-can Red Cross, visit http://www.flcoast-tocoastredcross.org/ or contact them at(386) 226-1400.

The American Red Cross ready for more than just hurricanesBy Jamye DurranceFor Hometown News

Hometown News file photoJohn Creamer of South Daytona unloads sandbags to use at his house in SouthDaytona during flooding last year.



To learn more and view CPR/AEDand first-aid demonstrations, contactyour local Red Cross chapter to registerfor a class.

As you can see, the American RedCross takes your health and safety veryseriously. When Americans think of adisaster of any magnitude, they uni-

formly think of the Red Cross as theagency ready to respond with help andassistance. We want to continue thattradition right here in your community.

With your help and continuedsupport, the American Red Cross willalways be there when help is neededmost.

Contact your local American RedCross Chapter today to becomeinvolved in the noblest cause ofhelping save lives and empowering ourcitizens to make a difference.

PreparedFrom page 2

donor’s dollars who make thefinancial help possible.

“Traditionally, the American RedCross had issued vouchers to thoseneeding help after a disaster,” saidShelt. “Oftentimes, that created astigma or was able to be used onlyfor a very specific item at a specific

store or location. By using the RedCross Client Assistance Card, wehave made it easier for disastervictims to return to a normal life,”Shelt added.

The road to total recovery follow-ing a major hurricane or otherdisaster is often slow and painful forthe victims of the disaster. TheAmerican Red Cross has a commit-ment to being there when help isneeded. With your continuedfinancial support, the American RedCross will always be there to help.

ERVFrom page 7

10VOLUSIA CountyHOMETOWN NEWS Friday, May 28, 2010HURRICANE GUIDE - 2010



AlexBonnieColin

DanielleEarl

FionaGaston

HermineIgorJuliaKarlLisa

MatthewNicole

OttoPaula

RichardSharyTomas

VirginieWalter

Hurricane names for 2010

— National Hurricane Center


• Aqua Terrace599 S. Atlantic Ave., Ormond Beach(386) 677-2517

• Atlantic Ocean Palm Inn3247 S. Atlantic Ave.Daytona Beach Shores(386) 761-8450

• Bermuda House2560 N. Atlantic Ave.Daytona Beach(386) 672-1440

• Conch House700 N. Atlantic Ave.Daytona Beach(386) 255-3411

•Hilton Daytona Beach OceanWalk Village100 N. Atlantic Ave.Daytona Beach(386) 254-8200

• The Islander3161 S. Atlantic Ave.

Daytona Beach(386) 761-2335

• Makai Beach Lodge707 S. Atlantic Ave.Ormond Beach(386) 677-8060

• Royal Beach Motel1601 S. Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach(386) 255-8341

• Saxony Motel35 S. Ocean Ave. Daytona Beach(386) 252-4703

• Sunny Shores Motel2037 S. Atlantic Ave.Daytona Beach(386) 252-4569

• Super 8 133 Ocean Ave., Daytona Beach(386) 253-0666

Pet friendly hotelsCall hotels to verify pet policy as many have restrictions on

number and size of animals.



HometownNewsOL.com

Published weekly by Hometown News, L.C., 1102 South U.S. 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34950Copyright © 2010, Hometown News , L.C.

Phone (772) 465-5656 • Fax (772) 465-5301Classified (800) 823-0466 • Rants & Raves (866) 465-5504

Circulation Inquiries: 1-866-913-6397 or [email protected]

Steven E. Erlanger Vernon D. Smith Tammy RaitsPublisher and C.O.O. Managing Partner Managing Editor

Voted No. 1 Community Newspaper in Americaby the Association of Free Community Papers.

14VOLUSIA County Friday, May 28, 2010HURRICANE GUIDE - 2010

Forecasters are predicting abusy hurricane season thisyear. They believe eight hurri-canes will form in the Atlanticbasin between June 1 and Nov.30 and four of them will devel-op into major hurricanes.According to Colorado StateUniversity’s Hurricane ForecastTeam, there is a 45 percentchance a major hurricane willmake landfall on the U.S. EastCoast. The annual average is 31percent.

“With numbers like that, arearesidents need to start prepar-ing now,” said Charlie Craig,Volusia County’s emergencymanagement director. “VolusiaCounty hasn’t experienced ahurricane since 2004, and weneed to make sure we haven’tbecome complacent.”

Craig urges residents to cre-ate a family disaster plan andstart stocking their disastersupply kits. As added protec-tion, residents should considerpurchasing flood insuranceand signing up for emergencytelephone and e-mail notifica-tions.

Create a disaster plan

After a disaster, emergencyworkers may not be able toreach everyone right away. Insome cases, it may take threeor more days for help to arrive.A disaster plan will help toprepare your family for thesedifficult times.

Discuss your plan as a groupso everyone understands whatto do in the event of adisaster. Your family may notbe together when a disasteroccurs, so choose a placewhere you could meet after adisaster. Designate an out-of-town contact family memberscan call to provide updates.

Decide now where you willstay if an evacuation order isissued. Arrange to stay withfriends or relatives who livewell inland if possible. You will

be more comfortable therethan in a shelter. For thosewho have no alternatives,Volusia County will set up hur-ricane shelters throughout thecounty.

A disaster can be especiallydifficult and scary for youngchildren. Assemble a “kid’sactivity survival kit” so theywill have things to do. Itemsmay include a few of theirfavorite books, crayons andpaper, scissors and glue, a toy,stuffed animal, board gameand a deck of cards.

If someone in your house-hold has a disability or specialneed, take additional steps toprotect them. Create an emer-gency kit that includes anextra supply of prescriptionmedicines, a list of medica-tions and their dosages; anextra set of eyeglasses andextra hearing-aid batteries; anextra walking device, wheel-chair batteries, and oxygen ifnecessary; extra copies ofmedical insurance documentsand Medicare/Medicaid cards;and a list of doctors, relatives,and friends who should benotified.

For help creating a personal-ized family disaster plan, visitwww.floridadisaster.org.

Disaster supply checklist

According to Volusia Coun-ty’s Emergency ManagementDivision, your disaster supplykit should include:

•At least one gallon of drinkingwater per person per day forfive to seven days•Nonperishable food for threemeals per day per person forfive to seven days •A five-to seven-day supply ofspecial items such as food, for-mula, diapers and wipes forinfants and those with specialneeds •At least a two-week supply ofmedications•Toiletries and extra toilet

paper•Manual can opener•Paper goods such as plates,cups, napkins and utensils •Unscented household bleachand medicine dropper•Extra bedding such as pil-lows, blankets and sleepingbags•Clothing, including rain gearand sturdy shoes•First aid kit•Hand sanitizer•Flashlight and extra batteries •Battery-operated radio•Tool kit including cord, ro•pe,hammer, wood nails, saw,hatchet or axe, crowbar, chainsaw blades, tarp, duct tape andheavy work gloves•Plastic trash bags and ties•Fire extinguisher •Matches in a waterproof con-tainer ªExtra charcoal or propane foroutdoor cooking•Mosquito repellent withDEET•Sun screen

•NOAA weather radio

Your pet disaster kit shouldinclude food, water, bowls,leashes, toys, bedding, carrier,medications, newspaper, catlitter, plastic bags for handlingwaste, and license and vacci-nation documentation.

Flood insurance

“One of the most importantthings you can do to protectyour home and family before aflood is to purchase a federalflood insurance policy,” Craigsaid. “Contrary to commonbelief, flood damages are not

covered under homeownersinsurance policies. You have tobuy a separate flood policy.”

To learn about flood insur-ance, visitwww.floodsmart.gov. The Website can help you rate yourrisk, estimate premiums, andfind an agent.Emergency notifications

Sign up to receive emer-gency telephone or e-mailnotifications from VolusiaCounty’s Emergency Manage-ment Division at www.volu-sia.org/emergency.

—Volusia County Information Services



Hometown News file photoAmerican Red Cross volunteers are always ready to take your call.

Get ready for an active hurricane season in 2010For Hometown [email protected]

“Volusia County hasn’t experienced a hurricanesince 2004, and we need to make sure we haven’tbecome complacent.”

Charlie CraigVolusia County Emergency Management Director


Get yard prepared for extreme hurricane seasonHi, everybody! Hurricane season is

just around the corner and it isexpected to be a severe season.

El Nino may give way to La Nina, whichtypically can give South Florida a muchgreater chance of a tropical systemapproaching our shores.

Early preparedness will be of theutmost importance this year, so now isthe time to start planning.

With our already wet season, atropical season could bring plenty offlooding, so plan for this when you aredoing your spring planting.

The first thing you should do as theseason peaks is trim all your trees andbushes. One note of caution: never doyour trimming when there is a namedstorm in the Atlantic. The trimmeddebris may not be picked up in time andcould be potential missiles in the eventthe storm hits our area.

Get rid of any foliage that is dead ormight be hanging over your house. Ifyou have any dead or weak trees fromprevious storms, cut them down so theydon’t have a chance to do damage thisyear.

Take a tour of your yard and make alist of items that would be dangerous toleave lying around. This list shouldinclude patio furniture, loose gardenornaments, small potted plants, yardtorches, arbors, even your gas grill.Make a list so you know ahead of timewhat you will have to move.

If you have a shed or gazebo, youmight want to add extra tie downs to besure they stay put and don’t wind up inKansas.

You can start early by limiting whatyou keep in your yard during the peakmonths of August and September.

If you own a swimming pool, you canthrow all your patio furniture into thepool to help keep it from travelingacross Florida. Make your yard as secureas possible, as this will help to reducepotential damage to your home.

There are many plants you can putin your yard that are both attractive andalso seemed to hold up fairly wellduring a hurricane.

Hibiscus, plumbago, firecracker plant,ixoria, and even my roses seemed tohold up very well during our past

hurricanes. You may also want toconsider some native plant varietiessuch as palmetto bush, passionflower,azalea bush, wax Myrtle, live oak andsouthern magnolia. Native plants areused to the high winds that can hitduring hurricane season, since theyhave been around our area for so manyyears. They also add natural beauty toyour yard.

If you live near the ocean, plantingbecomes even more of a challengebecause you need to have plants thatare resistant to salt spray.

Remember that a hurricane can carrythe ocean mist far inland with its 70 plusmph winds.

Plant varieties such as IndianHawthorne, saw palmetto, confederatejasmine, society garlic, daylily, pittispo-

rum, oleander and Mexican petunia cando very well in areas where salt spraycan be a problem. Gardenia plants alsocan fare well with less than 25 percentdamage and full recovery after onegrowing season.

If you plan on installing any newtrees this late in the hurricane season,you should plan ahead on their loca-tion. Plant the trees where they won’tpotentially cause a problem for yourstructure. Be sure to anchor your treescarefully with ties if they are newlyplanted to help prevent damage in theevent of high winds.

As you can see, with a few commonsense tips and some good planning, youcan have both an attractive and safeyard this hurricane season. Remember,the Atlantic hurricane season beginsJune 1.

For tropical updates, visithttp://hometownweather.net .

Joe Zelenak has 28 years experience ingardening and landscape. Send e-mailsto [email protected] or visithis Web site www.hometowngarden.com.

GARDEN NOOKJOE ZELENAK



Garden experts say totrim trees and bushesand get rid of anydead foliage toprepare your yard forhurricane season.

Hometown News file photo

•Plywood boards and fasten-ers, or hurricane shutters

•Water: A gallon per personper day, with a three-dayminimum supply; freezeahead of time

•Nonperishable foods and a manual can opener, enough for a two week supply

•Beverages

•Paper plates, paper cups,plastic utensils

•Emergency cooking equip-ment

•Ice chest filled with ice

•Two weeks’ supply of all prescription medications

•Toiletries

•Emergency cash supply

•AM/FM weather radio

•Battery-operated radio ortelevision

•Pillows and blankets

•Batteries

•Matches

•Cell phones

•Flashlights and battery-operated lanterns

•Fire extinguisher

•First aid kit

•Hammer (in case you need to break through debris)

•Paper towels, toilet tissue,facial tissue, baby wipes, sanitarynapkins

•Bug spray

•Resealable plastic bags

Hurricane Supplies List


year instead. “We want to stay on top of every-

thing,” Mr. Schefstad said. “We go on thestreets to make the head count.”

The coalition visits known areaswhere the homeless live to notify themof impending danger.

“We’ve assisted with the censusbureau to find out where people areknown to camp out,” he said. “We doour best to inform those living in campsthat they should seek shelter.”

During emergencies, coalition mem-bers also go where hot meals are servedto seek out the homeless.

“We also work with Votran (VolusiaCounty’s bus transportation system)emergency management to transportpeople to individual sites,” Mr. Schefs-tad said.

The three homeless shelters in VolusiaCounty — The Star Center, the Neigh-borhood Center in DeLand and The Sal-vation Army on Ballough Rd. in DaytonaBeach — are all hurricane-prepared.

If more room is needed, the coalitionreaches out to the community.

“We’ve worked with churches in the

past,” Mr. Schefstad said. “As long as thechurches meet federal standards andare safe, we take them to those church-es.”

Karen Baum, emergency manage-ment technician with the EmergencyManagement Office at the DaytonaBeach Fire Department, said that duringemergencies such as hurricanes, firedepartment personnel go to the home-less shelter on North Street to provideinformation to the people.

“We work with several people in thecity when emergencies crop up,” Ms.Baum said. “But we do not necessarilywork all of the time with the homeless.”

For more information, call the Volu-sia/Flagler Coalition for the Homeless at(386) 258-1855.

HomelessFrom page 5

“We want to stay on top of everything. “We go on the streets to make the

head count.”

Timothy SchefstadVolusia/Flagler

Coalition for the Homeless

Volunteers are desperately needed in a variety ofareas for hurricane season. Mobile FeedingTeam, shelter volunteers/managers, licensedmental Health professionals and nurses, driversand many other volunteers are needed. Red Cross willprovide free training for disaster services volunteers.

Volunteer today!

Yes, I want to help my friends and neighbors prepare for, survive andrecover from a hurricane.Please contact me:

Name ___________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________

Telephone ________________________________________________

My donation tro help in a disaster is enclosed. Mail to: American Red Cross,Florida’s Coast to Coast Chapter, 341 White St., Daytona Beach, FL, 32114

(386) 226-1400, ext 130 • Fax (386) 258-8848e-mail:[email protected]



of the city’s capital improvement plan andshould be completed in the next severalyears.

In South Daytona, fewer than 20 home-owners reported flood damage after the

May storm, said Jeanne Willard, cityspokeswoman. The city should be evenbetter off this year, she said, because aneight-acre retention pond near ReedCanal Road is expected to be completedby summer. Several smaller projects werealso completed.

Port Orange Public Works Director War-ren Pike said the city is looking at buildingretention areas along the Dunlawton

Avenue corridor but the idea is still in thediscussion stage.

“Dunlawton is an evacuation route so ifit closes that’s a problem,” he said. “Wehad to close it last May.”

Holly Hill City Manager Oel Wingo saida study has been done for the CarswellStreet and State Street area, the hardest hitby the flood, but has not been financed.

“It will cost several million dollars,” shesaid. “It will have to be added to the capitalplan.”

For problems on Ridgewood Avenueand in the other neighborhoods, Ms.Wingo said the city will be working withthe regional water authority.

Khalid Resheidat, public works directorfor New Smyrna Beach, said the city hadjust finished a project that had begunbefore the May flood. Perforated pipeswere installed under the downtown areato collect excess water.

In Ponce Inlet, a catch basin was addedon city property at 143 Beach Street, saidPublic Works Manager Keith Gunter.

“That’s the only place we had standingwater,” he said.

Daytona Beach Shores Assistant CityManager Jim McCroskey said his city doesnot share the flooding problem.

“We’re 14 feet above sea level,” he said.“We’re in pretty good shape.”

Randy Barber/staff photographerA couple rows down the street of their apartment complex during the aftermathof the May, 2009 floods in Daytona Beach.

FloodingFrom page 4


Friday, May 28, 2010HURRICANE GUIDE - 2010

2010s8-volusiahurr

Documents

red crossshelters

red crossvolunteers

work of theamerican

american red cross recommends

red cross helpmy community

expired items

american redcross

evacuation plan