Flagler County opens assistance center with the City of Flagler Beach Thursday through Saturday
September 27, 2017 – A Flagler County Assistance Center will be open Thursday through Saturday at the Wickline Center, and transportation will be available to those who need it. Residents who need assistance with their Hurricane Irma damages are encouraged to attend.
“We want to maximize our community’s participation in any non-profit, local, state and federal assistance that is available,” County Administrator Craig Coffey said. “There is no better way to do that than to bring the assistance closer to them. Last Saturday we went to Hidden Trails and now we are enthusiastic to be in the city of Flagler Beach.”
The Wickline Center – 800 S. Daytona Avenue, Flagler Beach – will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. all three days as an assistance center. Everyone in the county who is seeking assistance from Hurricane Irma is welcome to participate.
Those who need a ride should schedule it through Flagler County Transportation at 386-313-4100. Buses are being dedicated for this purpose.
“We are waiving the pre-registration or advance scheduling, because of the need to get these folks the help and assistance they need,” said General Services Director Heidi Petito.
Residents who have not yet registered with FEMA, or who have been denied by FEMA, will be able to speak directly with FEMA representatives.
Those residents who need help with vegetative debris, or a flooded home, or who have some other need that has arisen as a direct result of Hurricane Irma may also find the center helpful. Lastly, those with housing, food, and other unmet needs from the hurricane may also find available resources.
City and County staff and elected officials will be at the center to assist residents over the three days.
Other agencies at the three-day Flagler County Assistance Center in Flagler Beach include the following:
- Flagler County Volunteer Services
- Department of Children and Families for SNAP (formerly The Food Stamp Program) food assistance for Hurricane Irma victims
- The American Red Cross
- SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders)
- Flagler County Social Services
- Flagler County Senior Services
- CareerSource
- Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Materials will be available from the Flagler County Home Builders Association to provide information about contractor licensing/fraud
- Stewart Marchman Act
Residents may have to park a distance away from the Wickline Center, as parking is limited to slightly more than 60 spots in the direct vicinity. A golf cart will run regularly all three days to shuttle those to and from the center.
The nearest FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is located at the UF Wind Mitigation “Hurricane House,” 3111 Agricultural Center Drive, St. Augustine. It is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.
Residents may also register online with FEMA at https://www.disasterassistance.gov and for a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. Even residential properties are required to apply for an SBA loan to receive assistance.