Volusia County provides a post-Nicole update for residents.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

Volusia County Government has been tirelessly working to properly assess damages that occurred during Hurricane Nicole last week and has updates on building assessments and other services and resources available to Volusia County residents.

According to a release, the Volusia County Property Appraiser’s Office has assessed $522,811,108 in damages resulting from Hurricane Nicole. The damage assessment is ongoing, and this is not the final assessment and includes 496 structures across the county.

County and municipal building inspectors have declared the following buildings to be unsafe, and residents should not return until further notice:

• Hawaiian Inn, 2301 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores
• Holiday Inn Express, 3301 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores
• South Shore Motel, 3225 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores
• White Surf Condo, 3555 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores
• Grande Coquina Condo, 3333 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores Flamingo Inn, 2011 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores Lexington Hotel, 2323 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores Marabella Condo, 3343 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores
• Ocean Court, 2315 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores
• Pirate’s Cove, 3501 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores
• Sanibel Condo, 3799 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores
• Sand and Surf, 2535 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores Sherwin Condo, 2555 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores
• Kitts Condominium, 2855 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores
• Tropic Shores Resort, 3111 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores
• Las Brisas Condominiums, 3001 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach (the two easterly oceanfront buildings)
• Sea Coast Gardens II Condominiums, 4151 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach
• Sea Dunes Sand Dollar, 4305 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach
• Sea Dunes Nautilus, 4365 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach
• Pieces of Eight, 4375 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach
• Ponce Inlet Villas, Building B, 4421 S. Atlantic Ave., Ponce Inlet
• Racing’s North Turn, 4511 S. Atlantic Ave., Ponce Inlet

Coastal private residencies have also been declared unsafe in Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, and Wilbur-by-the-Sea. Assessments of the structures are ongoing, and this is not the final assessment.

There has been one property in the Bethune Beach area that has been deemed unsafe. However, there are potentially more properties in this area that are unsafe, but due to sand obstruction over the roads, officials have yet to inspect such properties.

As assessments continue, additional buildings and properties may be deemed unsafe. Residents and visitors may contact the local building official’s office to determine if a structure is safe.

Residents and visitors are still strongly discouraged from visiting the beach due to unfavorable conditions. Waves, rip currents, and debris, still pose a significant threat, and coastal structures, such as piers and walkways, still need to be fully assessed for integrity. Just because there are no visual signs of damage does not mean it is safe.

FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) reopened Monday, November 14, 2022. The DRC will operate Mondays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Florida Department of Health-Volusia, 1845 Holsonback Drive, Daytona Beach. The DRC will not be open on Sundays.

Only persons who sustained damage from Hurricane Ian may apply for FEMA assistance as the federal government has not declared Volusia County a disaster zone resulting from Hurricane Nicole. Persons who sustained damage only from Hurricane Nicole should call Volusia County Emergency Management at 386-254-1500 to learn about available resources.

Instead of visiting the DRC, persons may apply for FEMA assistance at disasterassistance.gov, the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 800-621-3362.