When all was said and done, nearly 6,000 cubic yards of debris were removed from the commercial and residential areas of Hernando County after Hurricane Idalia swept through the county in August. Meanwhile, county residents who still need disaster recovery help may continue to apply for assistance at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) through the end of October.
According to Hernando County Public Information Officer (PIO) Dominique Holmes, a total of 5946 cubic yards of construction and demolition debris was removed from the area between CR 550 (Cortez Blvd) and Osowaw Boulevard west of US 19, including private roads. Another 387 cubic yards of storm-related vegetative debris were removed from the same area.
The statistics were posted by the Hernando County Department of Public Works on Oct. 6, after debris removal was completed.
Though the debris clean-up was finished, the Hernando County Executive Policy Group extended the Local State of Emergency declaration for seven days or until further notice. The extension gives the county government the authority to make emergency purchases, rent equipment, hire workers or assign volunteers until the hurricane-related recovery work is completed.
Meanwhile, individuals who are residents of Hernando County have until Oct. 30 to apply for disaster assistance from FEMA. Businesses may seek assistance until May 2024.
Hernando County’s Emergency Management Director, David DeCarlo, told the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday during their regular meeting that as of Oct. 10, there have been 1,535 application registrations for FEMA, 984 inspections issued, and an additional 189 individuals were deemed eligible for FEMA assistance at the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) located at the Spring Hill Library Branch.
Those seeking assistance, needing help understanding letters that they have received from the agency, or curious about the status of their application for FEMA-related help or their Small Business Administration (SBA) loan may visit the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the Spring Hill Library, 9220 Spring Hill Dr. in Spring Hill, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday through Saturday.
The DRC is closed on Sunday.
Anyone who placed debris at the curb in time for the final removal pass and believes that their address was bypassed should email the Hernando County Department of Public Works at [email protected] or call 352-754-4060.
