Florida is no stranger to dealing with disasters situations and with hurricane season starting on June 1, being prepared can be a matter of life or death. As counties, cities, and the state prepare their communities in anticipation of an active hurricane season, FAC would like to provide you with some useful resources as well as phone numbers that you may need.
In the event that a hurricane does make landfall in Florida, FAC is in direct contact with various state agencies as well as FAC Corporate Partners to help provide the most up to date information on response and services available to Florida’s communities. Regular emails will be sent out to commissioners and county staff as well as an additional resource webpage will be created specific to that hurricane.
Hurricane Dorian
Resources & Updates
Tropical Storm Dorian strengthened to a hurricane on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 28 as it threatened the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Promptly after, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 19-189, initially declaring a state of emergency for the 26 counties in the path of the storm. Governor DeSantis later updated that list to include all 67 counties on Thursday, August 29 with Executive Order 19-190. Following Governor DeSantis’ request, President Donald J. Trump declared on Friday, August 30 that an emergency exists in Florida, therefore, ordering Federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Dorian. Dorian is expected to strengthen in the days following, with the latest track forecasting Dorian as a Category 4 major hurricane with winds at 130 mph off the east coast of Florida on Sunday and into Monday morning.
Emergency Needs Request
Of specific request from FDEM, please put your request into WebEOC NOW for anything you may currently need or will need in the future as the storm approaches Florida. This could include generators, pumps, water, or any other additional equipment. By doing so, you are not only preparing your county ahead of time, you are providing FDEM with the much needed extra time to meet your request. Please do not wait until the storm makes landfall to put in these request.
Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program
Due to Hurricane Dorian, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is extending the deadline for local governments to submit applications for the $85 million Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program. The original deadline of Friday, August 30, 2019, has been extended to Thursday, October 31, 2019. Additionally, local governments that have already submitted applications will be allowed to amend and resubmit their applications for funding.
Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of the FEMA-coordinated federal response, is closely monitoring the projected path of Hurricane Dorian. EPA Region 4 is assessing the vulnerability status of National Priority List sites within the state of Florida, and, in coordination with our state and federal partners, is conducting the necessary response planning for potential post-landfall actions. In addition, EPA is currently evaluating a fuel waiver request from the state of Florida to help ensure that an adequate supply of gasoline is available in the affected areas until normal supply to the region can be restored. If you have questions regarding specific issues under EPA’s emergency response authority before, during, and after Hurricane Dorian makes landfall, below are relevant resources as well as EPA points of contact.
EPA REGION 4:
Brandi Jenkins, EPA Region 4 Public Affairs Director
404-562-9124 (w)
678-575-2148 (c)
EPA REGION 4:
Allison Wise, Chief, Public and Government Affairs
404-562-8346 (w)
404-536-2805 (c)
EPA HQ Intergovernmental:
Britt Carter, Director
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
202.564.6312
General Information From FDEM & FEMA
Contacting & Procurement Information
Prior to landfall, please ensure your pre-disaster contracts are compliant with 2 CFR 200 and the FEMA PAPPG. The Division and FEMA have made several references available concerning contracting, procurements, and pricing to help you make sure your contracts are in accordance with federal law. Failure to do so may jeopardize your reimbursement.
Debris Removal Information
FDEM has provided several references produced by either the Division or FEMA concerning debris removal. The information includes guidelines regarding general debris removal eligibility requirements, private property debris removal, and impacts to environmental and historic preservation assets. Failure to follow guidelines may jeopardize your reimbursement.
Disaster Programming and Fraud Precautions
Below is FEMA guidance and information regarding individual disaster programming and fraud precautions.
FHWA Emergency Relief (ER) Program
There is often a lot of confusion about the roles of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in providing recovery assistance. FEMA assistance falls under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) does not receive, review, or process FEMA disaster reimbursement requests for local roads. An example of items that would route through FEMA are debris removal for presidentially declared disasters or repair and reconstruction of highways, roads, and trails that are not on the Federal Aid Highway system (i.e. local roads, rural minor collectors.) FHWA Emergency Relief (ER) Program, established by 23 USC 125. FDOT helps administer the FHWA ER Program, which funds eligible emergency and permanent repairs to damaged Federal Aid Highways. Please see below for additional information regarding FHWA Emergency Relief (ER) Program.
Contact Information
Florida Division of Emergency Management
County Contact Information: Click here
Phone (Tallahassee): 850-815-4000
Updates (Twitter): @FLSERT
FEMA Region IV
Main Number: 770-220-5200
Fax Number: 770-220-5230
Updates: Twitter – @femaregion4 / Blog – https://www.fema.gov/blog