YULEE, Fla. – An initial estimate of damage to Nassau County residential, business and public structures resulting from Hurricane Irma have topped $9 million, Director of Emergency Management Billy Estep said Monday afternoon.
Estep says these estimates do not include damage to flooded structures. One week after Irma passed by, some of the flooded are areas of the county are not yet accessible, so damage estimates will likely be significantly higher.
While these numbers are preliminary, Estep said 132 structures are included in the damage assessments.
Estep said the Red Cross will conduct a canvass of homes in the coming days that will eventually be verified by FEMA. Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams will also canvass door-to-door and verify Nassau County preliminary estimates and help survivors sign up for individual assistance and other federal programs.
FEMA teams are in route to Nassau County to verify the county's numbers. Disaster Recovery Centers will be set-up in the coming days, and will announce soon when and where those centers will be established.
Other Nassau County updates
There are two roads that remained closed in Nassau County: Crawford Road (the dirt portion between Thomas Creek and U.S. 301) and Stokes Road, where a bridge is awaiting inspection.
One shelter remains open; Hilliard First Baptist Church with 8 occupants
Florida Public Utility has restored power to 100 percent of its customers on Amelia Island, FPL reported at 2 p.m., 94 percent of its customers have had service restored, leaving 1,920 customers without power. Okefenokee Rural Electric said it has restored power to all of its customers on the west side of the count
Residents who suffered damages can apply for Individual Assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Anyone without access to the internet can register by calling 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA). Disaster Recovery Centers will be established to assist residents but you do not have to wait until then to apply.
Debris removal began Monday morning in the county and will continue until all debris has been picked up. Residents can find the schedule and locations online.
Aid distribution
Volunteers were unloading and distributing groceries, cleaning supplies, toiletries and water that arrived at a Callahan church Monday in two tractor-trailers.
Convoy of Hope, the disaster-relief arm of the Assemblies of God, sent the two trucks full of supplies to the Crossroads Family Worship Center in Callahan. At least 42 pallets of goods will be distributed to those in need through 6 p.m. Monday and will be handed out again from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, or as long as supplies last. The distribution is happening at the center's youth building, which is located at 542309 U.S. 1, between Schwend Insurance and the old Huddle House.
"It's been an amazing effort: the number of volunteers coming together to serve," Chaplin Pat Archuleta of Evangel Temple said. "It's absolutely amazing to see the number of volunteers who have come together in this community to help those who have been affected by this hurricane and are hurting right now."
The group is still asking for volunteers to help with distribution. Those interested can contact Pastor Rick from Crossroads pastorrickconnection@gmail.com or Paulschwend@aol.com.