BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Officials in Brevard County are working to submit a disaster declaration request to the state after historic rain damaged more than 2000 homes.
The county said they are working now to complete damage assessments needed to make that request. They are asking every resident and business to report their damage using the county’s online form.
It comes as the city of Palm Bay hosted an information session Friday to provide residents with hot food and connect them with resources for their recovery.
Dale Johnson said he lost everything after 12 inches of floodwater swept through his Palm Bay home.
When floodwater started to rise he was able to get his 83-year-old mother Joan and his pup Dixie out of the home safely, but he said family heirlooms, photos, and his father’s belongings were ruined.
Johnson said his father passed away less than a year ago, and those memories are irreplaceable.
“These are treasured memories that are going to have to be thrown away that were given to us or attached to him. And that’s the hardest part,” said Johnson.
Johnson said he and his mother live on fixed incomes. The unexpected rain is now stretching their budget.
They’re paying for a room in an extended stay and are having to front costs to replace belongings which they hope will be reimbursed via their insurance.
“For people on a fixed income, paying out of pocket and getting reimbursed is hard,” said Johnson, “Where’s the federal resources? Where are the state resources? We, I mean, I hate to say it so bluntly, but we need money.”
The County said they are pursuing federal help, but several steps are required.
First, they must finish initial damage assessments. Next, come joint damage assessments with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the Florida Division of Emergency management.
Ultimately, they will compile the data into a disaster declaration request.
The governor then needs to submit a major disaster declaration to FEMA requesting federal support. Lastly, FEMA and the president will make the final decision about approval.
“They can come and help and get some more citizens back on their feet with money and resources that we don’t have in the city of Palm Bay,” said Morgan Combs , the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the city.
According to Combs, one important threshold is proving Brevard county has had at least $3 million in damage from the rain event. There also needs to be at least $42 million in damage across the state.
It’s why Combs is urging residents to document their damage via this Brevard County’s damage reporting page.
Combs said if FEMA does step in the city and county will post updates on social media.
In the meantime, residents in need of volunteer assistance are being asked to submit a request through this portal to be connected with a volunteer team.
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