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Travel Trailers Providing Temporary Housing For Some Flooding Victims

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Newly approved Emergency Management Director Erin Thomas updated the Board of County Commissioners on recovery efforts that are still underway for residents in need following the effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in October 2024.

The Eastside Library hosting of a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) disaster recovery center ended on January 31st. Thomas said the County will pursue additional extensions as long as enough traffic is shown to support the need.

The focus of the January 28th discussion was on the delivery of travel trailers for temporary housing on the properties of households who were displaced after Hurricane Helene and Milton in September and October 2024.

In addition to other assistance, 15 households have been approved to receive a travel trailer for temporary housing, and 52 others are currently pending eligibility. Two hundred twenty-three more cases are under review, not necessarily requiring trailers but other housing needs. Thomas said she expects this number to increase over time but did not comment further.

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The county currently has approximately 49 travel trailers available for those requiring temporary housing, but Thomas described the vetting process for eligibility as substantially complex to determine income and residency statuses of those in need.

Hernando County has an ordinance that allows mobile homes and travel trailers on residential property for up to 180 days with temporary, ‘quick release’ attachments to utilities. However, the trailers provided to displaced households are regulated by the State of Florida, where the permitting process supersedes the rules of Hernando County.

The conditions of utility services on each property are also unknown, resulting in case-by-case consideration, especially in the cases of septic systems. Water and electric systems must also be determined to be in satisfactory condition before permits are granted.

Commissioner Steve Champion expressed concern for permit regulations impeding the trailers from being installed and ultimately delaying residents from moving forward with their recovery efforts. DePablo clarified that because the trailers are donated by other agencies, a formal permitting process takes precedence over the County’s ordinance to ensure proper setup.

Ultimately, the County Health Department determines satisfactory septic connections. Development Services Director Omar DePablo stated his department is seeking a batch approval from the Health Department for the septic hookups that would be required for these temporary housing solutions.

Champion implored DePablo and his staff to employ a speedy process, emphasizing helping rather than enforcement. Champion said of the citizens currently displaced, “They don’t know the rules, they just know their house is destroyed… the last thing they want is Code Enforcement showing up, saying, ‘Remove this or else.’”

County Administrator Jeff Rogers reported that FEMA is auditing the county weekly on adherence to Federal regulations, to which DePablo affirmed FEMA found no deficiencies.

One of the biggest obstacles facing residents is maneuvering through the substantial damage permitting process. DePablo’s department is helping citizens through training classes rather than holding up individuals with their applications. Through this process, the department is able to ‘batch’ 12-16 permits through these training courses.

Looking forward, as a new hurricane season is only four months away, Commissioner John Allocco said, “We will always want to make it faster. We’re three months into this now. I hope that we see new efficiencies at the higher levels of government because every one of these storms shouldn’t be like it’s a completely new thing.”
Commissioner Brian Hawkins added, “Every emergency response, you become reactive in some way or another. What’s interesting is that the training is implemented and in place, if this ever happens again, we’re rolling these things out.”

DePablo added that the County is already preparing for the next and subsequent storms. Standard Operating Procedures have been streamlined, and teams are already assembled to respond, with information readily available should the need arise. Items such as water, tarps, gloves and masks are at the ready for those in need in the first 24-48 hours. “We will be ready.”

Following the update and subsequent discussion, Rogers officially recognized Thomas for her work through the various storm responses, as well as navigating the computer problems that hindered communications in 2024.

Rogers said, “We would not be where we are today without Erin Thomas’ recommendations, leadership and opportunities to set us up for success today.” Rogers went on to ask the board for her confirmation as Hernando County’s Emergency Management Director, which was motioned by Commissioner Allocco and seconded by Champion.
Thomas’ unanimous approval by the Board was punctuated by Champion saying, “It’s about time.”

Lisa MacNeil
Lisa MacNeil
Lisa MacNeil is a reporter for the Hernando Sun as well as a business technology developer, specializing in website development, content management systems, and data analysis.
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