Tallahassee, FL – Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) started the Business Damage Assessment Survey to find out how Hurricane Nicole affected businesses in Florida. Responses to the survey will help the state speed up recovery efforts by giving information about what affected businesses need.
The whole state of Florida was put in a state of emergency on November 10, 2022, when Governor Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order 22-256. All businesses that will be affected are encouraged to fill out the survey.
Governor DeSantis has shown over and over again how to respond quickly and effectively to disasters, and DEO Secretary Dane Eagle said, “DEO is committed to quickly putting together resources to help.” “The Business Damage Assessment Survey helps DEO and its federal, state, and local partners understand the physical and economic effects of the disaster so that they can make better decisions. Businesses that were hurt by Hurricane Nicole should fill out the survey at www.FloridaDisaster.biz.”
The results of the Business Damage Assessment Survey will be shared with federal, state, and local agencies so that the right relief can be put in place. Businesses can fill out the survey online or go to www.FloridaDisaster.biz and use the drop-down menu to choose “Hurricane Nicole.” If you need help with your business outside of these hours, please call 850-815-4925 or send an email to [email protected].
The Following Watches and Warnings Are in Effect:
Tropical Storm Warning: Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla, Taylor, Madison, Lafayette, Hamilton, Suwanee, Columbia, Union, Baker, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Alachua, Bradford, Clay, Putnam, Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Flagler, Marion, Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Lake, Sumter, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Polk,
Storm surge warning for the following counties: Brevard, Citrus, Clay, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Hernando, Indian River, Jefferson, Levy, Martin, Nassau, Pasco, Putnam, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Taylor, Volusia, and Wakulla.
Flood Watch: Nassau, Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Flagler, Putnam, Marion, Sumter, Volusia, Brevard, Orange, Seminole, Lake, Osceola, Indian River, Polk Hardee, DeSoto, Highlands, Okeechobee, St. Lucie, and Martin counties.
READ MORE: Virginia’s Highest Tax Bracket Starts at $17k: Which Is Really Shocking!
Before Tropical Storm Nicole hits, the state stays in touch with the National Hurricane Center, the National Weather Service, and emergency management officials from all 67 counties. State efforts to be ready and respond include:
The Business Damage Assessment Survey is now activated to assess the needs of Florida businesses impacted by 🌀 Hurricane Ian. Complete the survey >> https://t.co/suqPB5RJSR pic.twitter.com/lffkeEIxIm
— Florida DEO (@FLDEO) September 29, 2022
Search and Rescue
Nearly 600 members of the National Guard have been called up and are ready to help with search and rescue once the weather clears.
Seven Urban Search and Rescue teams in Florida are ready to help with Tropical Storm Nicole. One team is still in Lee County helping with Hurricane Ian.
Power
As of 12:00 PM, nearly 355,000 accounts were still without power.
Click here for a full list of outages right now.
More than 17,000 linemen from utilities all over the state are waiting to start restoring power as soon as it is safe to do so.
Florida Division of Emergency Management
- At the request of Governor DeSantis, FEMA has given Tropical Storm Nicole the status of an emergency. Alachua, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Jefferson, Lake, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco
- As part of the response to Tropical Storm Nicole, FDEM is in charge of the State Emergency Response Team (SERT).
- FDEM has turned on the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) to give Floridians another way to get up-to-date information about how to recover from Tropical Storm Nicole and Hurricane Ian. Calling this toll-free number, 1-800-342-3557, is free for both residents and visitors.
- At the request of the counties, FDEM Liaisons are being sent to Brevard, Indian River, Lake, Martin, Orange, Seminole, St. Lucie, and Volusia to help with on-site response and damage assessments after the storm.
FDEM is sending shelter support staff to counties that have opened public hurricane shelters to help with staffing needs. - FDEM has sent 18 pallets of water to Orange County and is storing more food and water so that it will be ready if other counties ask for it.
- Seven Urban Search and Rescue teams are ready to go to areas that need help. One USAR team is already helping Southwest Florida clean up after Hurricane Ian.
READ MORE: In Anticipation of Hurricane Nicole’s Possible Turn Toward the State, Florida Has Taken Precautions!
Infrastructure
In response to Tropical Storm Nicole, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) sent out a memo saying that emergency vehicles could go around weigh stations. They also worked with Georgia and Tennessee to let utility convoys going to Florida go around their weigh stations.
Roadways and Bridges
- 258 crews are ready to go into the affected areas as soon as the winds die down. They will check for damage, flooding, and power outages at traffic signals, inspect bridges, and use cut-and-throw operations to clear the roads.
- Marine traffic is not allowed to go through state drawbridges in Brevard, Broward, Martin, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, and Volusia counties. Bridges will stay open to cars for as long as the weather makes it safe to do so.
All active construction sites in the predicted areas of damage have been locked down and made ready for bad weather. - Drainage structures in the areas where the storm is expected to hit have been cleaned and cleared of debris.
Roadway and Bridge Closures
- At Sheridan St., BROWARD N. Ocean Dr. was closed in both directions.
- Both directions of N. Ocean Dr. are closed at Michigan St. SR-A1A Southbound from Viramar St. to Auramar St. All lanes are full.
- At the Intracoastal Waterway on E. Oakland Park Blvd. All lanes are full.
- FLAGLER S. Oceanshore Blvd./S.R. A1A is closed from S. 7th St. to S. 16th St. in both directions.
MANATEE COUNTY
Bridge to the Sunshine Skyway - ORANGE Eastbound I-4 ramp to MM 71 (Central Florida Pkwy)
- Exit 272 from the northbound side of Florida’s Turnpike (SR-50)
- From Exit 267B, you can get on Florida’s Turnpike North (SR-50)
- From Exit 267A, you can go north on Florida’s Turnpike (SR-429)
- SR-429 From Exit 24 (SR-438/Plant St.), take the north ramp.
- PALM BEACH E Ocean Ave Both Ways at S Ocean Blvd and Intracoastal Waterway I-275 South, before mile
- marker 13, northbound at Ibis Way PINELLAS Bridge. All lanes closed
Sunshine The Skyway Bridge - ST.JOHNS Bridge of Lions on both directions of Coastal Hwy at Carcaba Rd. Both Ways from Poplar Avenue to Surfside Avenue. Both Ways from S. Ponce de Leon Boulevard to Sebastian Harbor Drive. May Street at
- Douglas Avenue.
- Bridge over Vilano Beach At Magnolia Ave., both ways.
- SR-A1A Old A1A at Barataria Dr., going south When going north on Ocean Shore Blvd.
VOLUSIA - The North Causeway Bridge
- The South Causeway Bridge
- Memorial Bridge for Veterans
- The Dunlawton Bridge
- Seabreeze Bridge is on S. Oceanshore Blvd. Seaports at both ends of Clubhouse Dr.
- All ports have enough fuel on hand right now, and they are taking the right steps to be ready after the storm to get back to work quickly and keep fuel moving.
The ports listed below are CLOSED:
DEO activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Tropical Storm Fred. Survey responses allow the state to gather data in order to ensure appropriate resources are available. Affected businesses are encouraged to complete the survey at https://t.co/xfPlXCVils. pic.twitter.com/flA8tPXR5a
— Florida DEO (@FLDEO) August 24, 2021
- Port Canaveral
- Port Fernandina
- Fort Pierce Port
- JAXPORT
- Miami Port
- Port St. Pete
Environmental Protection Department of Florida
In response to the Governor’s Executive Order, DEP has issued an Emergency Final Order to speed up the necessary repair, replacement, and restoration of structures, equipment, surface water management systems, works, and other systems damaged by Subtropical Storm Nicole.
READ MORE: D-snap Help for People and Families in Florida Who Were Hurt by Hurricane Ian Receives Approval!
- The order also sets out streamlined requirements for the management of storm debris.
- DEP issued an Amended Emergency Final Order to include more counties that were added to the Amended Executive Order by the Governor.
- All major hazardous waste facilities in the counties that will be affected have been contacted to make sure that all preparations are being made before the storm hits.
- Beach assessment teams are ready to move quickly to look at storm damage as soon as the weather lets them.
- For Hurricane Nicole, nine disaster debris management sites (DDMSs) have been given the green light.
- DDMSs are an important part of cleaning up quickly, protecting the environment and public health, and meeting federal requirements for reimbursement.
- Find out about what Florida state parks are closed here.
- Visitors who have camping or cabin reservations at parks that will be affected will be told how their reservations are doing.
- At https://floridadep.gov/rcp/aquatic-preserve, you can find out about National Estuarine Research Reserve and Aquatic Preserve closures.
