FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Flagler County is putting together a list of opening businesses in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
“It’s one of the first steps of the recovery process here in Flagler County,” said Flagler County Administrator Craig Coffey. “We encourage our business owners to reach out to us so we can let everyone know Flagler County is open for business.”
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The county is specifically monitoring grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and home improvement stores. Please call 386-313-4098 and provide the store name, location, and opening date and time.
The county announced Monday that the daily countywide curfew from 7 p.m. ot 7 a.m. would remain in effect until further notice, but the following business are opening at 7 a.m. Tuesday:
- Publix, 800 Belle Terre Parkway
- Publix, 4950 Belle Terre Parkway
- Winn Dixie, 1260 Palm Coast Parkway
- Winn Dixie, Flagler Plaza
- Walmart, 174 Cypress Point Parkway
- Racetrac, State Road 100, NO GAS
- Dunkin Donuts, State Road 100
- Dennys
- Bob Evans
- CVS, Palm Coast Parkway
- McDonalds, Palm Coast Parkway
- McDonalds, Belle Terre Parkway
- Focaccia, 85 Cypress Point Parkway
- Gospel Gardens, taking names for yard work, 386-586-6947
- A1A Burrito Works, Palm Coast Parkway
- Tractor Supply Company
- ABC Liquor, Palm Coast Parkway
- Power restored to Town Center Landings
As more stores are added, the list can be found on the Flagler County website and social media accounts:
Curfew hours eased, bridge access limited
Flagler County officials have eased beachside curfew hours, but access over the bridges is still limited to residents, contractors, business owners and employees.
Beachside curfew will go into effect at 10 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday. The curfew for mainland Flagler County has been lifted.
“We want to ensure the property owners and businesses are able to do what they need to do to get back to normal,” Coffey said. “The barrier island is still without power and there are still flood waters and other hazards.”
Law enforcement officers will continue checkpoints limiting access the coastal areas of Flagler County.
“If your intent is to come in here and capitalize on Hurricane Irma, you are going to lose,” said Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney.
Flagler County Assistance Center opens
Flagler County is opening an Assistance Center Wednesday to help residents obtain information in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
The Center is being opened ahead of a potential FEMA Disaster Center. It will be housed at the Palm Coast Branch Library, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway NW, and it will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.
Multiple agencies will be represented at the Assistance Center to include United Way, Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral Healthcare, American Red Cross, Flagler County Health Department, Flagler County Human Services, Flagler County Senior Services, Flagler Volunteer Services, Flagler County Homebuilder’s Association, Department of Children and Families, and FEMA (once they arrive).
Residents will be pre-screened for necessary services, and provided counseling. Assistance will be predominantly for families with flooded or damaged houses.
Homes with just a loss of power and potential loss of food are not planned to be accommodated at the Flagler County Assistance Center. Food vouchers/cards will NOT be provided. Most grocery stores are now open. Flagler County will issue information about open food pantries as it becomes available.
“We are doing everything we can to help our residents,” Flagler County Administrator Craig Coffey said. “People are already stressed out, and it can be a daunting task to figure out the next step. We are here to offer whatever support we can.”
Those without transportation who need a ride should call Flagler County Transportation Department at 386-313-4100.
County offices, schools remain closed
Flagler County public schools have been canceled through Friday.
City offices for Flagler Beach and Bunnell are assessing their abilities to re-open this week.
The City of Palm Coast has announced power to City Hall and the utility offices is out. Once it is restored, the city will reopen those facilities.
The Florida Department of Health-Flagler offices were supposed to reopen Thursday.
County permitting fees waived
Flagler County will waive some building permit fees in order to fast-track the permitting process for those who have property damage following Hurricane Irma.
The county fees will be waived for permits related to hurricane damage until Nov. 13.
“We want people to get started on their repairs as quickly as possible,” says Building Official Mark Boice. “We’re able to make exceptions for certain types of permits or inspection. The work has to be for storm-related damage. We will be open Tuesday morning to issue permits.”
Special exceptions will be made for the next 60 days in the following areas:
- Roofing (one) 1 square of shingles – 10 feet by 10 feet or less – no permit or plan review required
- Soffit and gutters – no permit required
- Fence repair or replacement – no permit required if the previous one was issued between 2006 and 2017
- Electrical repairs – permit required, but a plan review is not required
- A/C change-out – permit required
- Aluminum – permits are required
Contractors must be registered with Contract Licensing to work in Flagler County. Proof of License and Liability Insurance is required.
Residents with questions about either permits or inspections are urged to call the Flagler County Building Department at 386-313-4002.
Alcohol sales reinstated
Flagler County has rescinded the emergency order suspending the sale of alcohol. The ban on the sale of alcohol included bars and restaurants in addition to liquor stores and grocery stores. Sales may resume at 7 a.m. Tuesday.
“We appreciate our business owners for abiding with the emergency order,” Coffey said.
The county-wide curfew is still in effect from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. until further notice.
Palm Coast post-hurricane announcements
There are still a lot of downed trees and power lines and debris in roadways, so use extra caution, Palm Coast city officials said.
City crews worked hard Monday to clean up streets and pump down the wastewater sewage system. The stormwater drainage system is draining and was much lower by Monday afternoon. Readings at each of the city’s three water treatment plants show Palm Coast received 10-12 inches of rain during the storm.
Power outages continue to be widespread in Palm Coast, though service is being gradually restored. To check the status of your address, go to www.FPL.com and click on “Outages” and then follow with the phone number on your account and zip code.
Charging stations open
The City of Palm Coast has set up a charging station for citizens who need to charge their cell phones at Central Park in Town Center, 975 Central Ave, Palm Coast. The park also has free wifi for people looking for access to wifi to conduct business or check in with family, employers and friends.
Holland Park is open, with power, so bathrooms are functional! Please take your family there and enjoy some outdoor time. (There is no wifi at Holland Park.)
Additional information
Wastewater Issues – With thousands of residences in Flagler County still without power, wastewater system issues are our No. 1 problem. About 40 percent of our PEP tank homes still have no power.
The wastewater sewer system can't work properly without power – and it's been inundated with stormwater flooding. So we have 12 tanker trucks pumping out the pump stations to help keep the pipes flowing toward the wastewater plant. We have employee teams taking generators to PEP tank homes to pump down individual PEP tanks. Technicians will get to residents as quickly as possible, but we have a high volume of work orders and so we ask residents to be patient.
IF sewage backs up in your toilet or shower, uou must immediately stop putting water down the drain. So no flushing, no using water in the sink or shower, no laundry. Call Customer Service at 386-986-2360, and they will put in a work order.
For everyone – whether you have power or not – please limit your water use while our entire wastewater system is taxed. This applies to all residents, whether you’re on the gravity sewer system or a PEP tank.
If you get power restored and your PEP alarm sounds (because, of course, it can't while there's no power), call Customer Service at 386-986-2360. But also do the happy dance because your pump is going to start working!
Closures – City Hall is still closed; there is no power. Utility Office is closed. Call Customer Service at 386-986-2360 if you need to reach us. We will reopen as soon as we get power. (City employees ARE working at offices with generators, but our work is mainly focused on storm response right now.)
Frieda Zamba Swimming Pool, Palm Harbor Golf Club and the Palm Coast Tennis Center are still closed. We hope to reopen the tennis center Thursday -- and also to kick off Senior Games with pickleball singles at 9 a.m. Thursday at Holland Park.
Road Closures – Due to unsafe conditions because of flooding, downed power lines or fallen trees, a number of roadways in Palm Coast are temporarily closed. Do not go around a barricade. Never drive on a flooded roadway. Even with minor flooding on neighborhood roads, vehicles can create a wake that could flood adjacent homes or garages.
Traffic Signals – Many traffic signals in Palm Coast are being temporarily powered by generators. If you approach an intersection in which the traffic signal in not operational, state law requires you to treat the intersection as a four-way stop for all vehicles approaching the intersection.
Garbage and Recycling – Regular garbage and recycling service by Waste Pro will resume Tuesday. Please be patient as road conditions may hinder Waste Pro’s efforts to complete routes.
Debris Removal – With the amount of vegetative yard trash and construction debris generated by Hurricane Irma, it may take several passes through Palm Coast to pick up all the debris. This process is expected to take several weeks. (NOTE: Don’t pile vegetative debris on your water meter box or your sewer cleanout cap or your PEP tank lid. All are near the front property corner.)
Property Damage – City staff began formal damage assessments Monday. Houses and properties across Palm Coast have downed trees, torn screen enclosures, missing roof shingles, siding damage and fallen fences/sheds.
The biggest loss was a home at 60 Fountain Gate Lane. A tree fell in front of the home during the height of the storm Sunday night about 11:30 p.m., pulling down a power line that ignited. Palm Coast Fire Department spent an hour knocking down the fire before being pulled off to return to the station for the crews’ safety during the hurricane. Unfortunately, the fire continued to burn and the house was a total loss. The residents were immediately evacuated to a neighbor’s home on Sunday night.
If you have property damage, hire a licensed contractor – All contractors other than for debris removal and landscaping/tree removal are required to have a license. Ask to see the license. Also, get a written estimate and contract before the work starts. Ask to see a copy of a license of any company you consider hiring to perform repairs or check the state website at https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp. To check locally licensed contractors, you may check the Flagler County website at http://flaglercounty.org/index.aspx?NID=633. Once City Hall reopens, the City of Palm Coast Building Division would be pleased to assist you in looking up information and providing advice on how to choose the right contractor. The number is 386-986-3780.
More information is available on the City’s website at www.palmcoastgov.com. The City is also providing information throughout the event on these social media accounts:
Flagler County Emergency Management is posting storm information at: www.flaglercounty.org/irma. Also tune into the county’s partner radio station WNZF at 1550AM and 106.3FM and the Flagler Radio App worldwide. The Flagler County Emergency Operations Center call-in center number is 386-586-5111.
Any questions about City of Palm Coast services – water and sewer, streets, drainage – should be directed to Customer Service at 386-986-2360.