Pace yourself. Recovering from a disaster is a gradual and stressful process. Take breaks, and ask for help from neighbors, friends, or relief organizations. Following a disaster, others may be experiencing the same feelings you are - you are not alone! Seek emotional support. If you or your family struggle with feelings of despair, seek professional help, such as counseling.
Emergency Preparedness
After a disaster, you can apply for federal disaster assistance from FEMA on the Disaster Assistance website, by using the FEMA mobile app, or by calling (800) 621-3362. This is only applicable if the President issues a major disaster declaration, which activates FEMA.
The Federal Small Business Administration is able to offer low-interest loans to business owners and private individuals to help them recover from a disaster. Call (800) 659-2955 for information.
For state assistance, contact the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) at (800) 342-3557.
- Indian River County Emergency Management: Provides local guidance and assistance.
- Florida Department of Health in Indian River: Coordinates health and medical response.
- The Agency for Persons with Disabilities: Provides services and support for individuals with disabilities.
- American Red Cross Palm Beach and Treasure Coast: Offers disaster relief and resources.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Provides various forms of federal aid.
- Small Business Administration: Provides low-interest loans to impacted businesses and private individuals.
- Town of Orchid’s Building Department: Assists with damage assessments and issues building permits.
Disaster debris is the responsibility of homeowners and the Orchid Island Golf & Beach Community Association. Property owners are encouraged to work with private landscapers to remove vegetative debris. Debris that is akin to regular trash and that fits into a trash cart will be collected by the Town trash hauler when regular trash collection is able to resume.
Oversize debris, including household goods (which may include hazardous waste) and construction materials, is to be coordinated through the Orchid Island Golf & Beach Community Association. When bringing debris to the roadside or to the Disaster Debris Management Site (only if activated!), please first separate types of debris.
Long before alerts may be sent out regarding a natural disaster, it's important to check that your insurance policies include exactly the coverage you need. Hurricanes, for example, bring a variety of hazards, such as high winds, tornadoes, flooding, storm surge, etc. However, specific "hurricane coverage" does not exist. A standard property insurance policy often doesn't include coverage for damage from wind-driven waters, storm surge, or flooding. A combination of different policies, such as homeowners, flood, and windstorm insurance, may be necessary to achieve sufficient coverage for your barrier island property in Orchid. Your insurance agent will be able to assist you in double-checking your current coverage.
For flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, it is important to be aware that there is a 30-day waiting period. By the time an area is at risk of imminent flooding, it is likely too late to gain timely coverage through the program. Your insurance agent will be able to assist you with this federal program.
It's prudent to double-check that your auto insurance policy includes coverage for damage that may be incurred during a storm or natural disaster too, such as due to flooding, tree fall, or flying debris.
Keep all insurance paperwork with other important documents in a location where it is easily taken with you in case of evacuation. You should also create and take with you documentation of your possessions, such as an inventory with receipts and photographs. Taking video of every room prior to evacuation is helpful in making a post-storm insurance claim.
Contact your insurance company promptly to start the claims process. Be diligent. If the disaster's impacts were widespread, it's likely your insurance company is fielding many calls and processing many claims at the same time. Keep documentation of pre-storm conditions, post-storm conditions, and any work undertaken to secure the property.
Pursuant to Section 553.792, Florida Statutes, the Town of Orchid’s Building Department will expedite the processing of building permits, including plan review, of any applications required by law to be expedited.
If a state of emergency for an area including the Town is declared by the Governor due to a natural disaster that impacts the Town's structures, building permit applications submitted to the Building Department following that natural disaster shall be expedited if such applications regard projects necessitated by impacts of that natural disaster and do not require technical review, including roof repairs, reroofing, electrical repairs, service changes, or the replacement of 1 window or 1 door. Applicants must notify the Building Clerk when a permit application regards a project necessitated by an eligible natural disaster and qualifies for expedited processing at the time of application. Such applications shall be given priority over other building permit applications in regard to plan review, permit issuance, and inspection.
Furthermore, the valid period remaining under an issued building permit may be extended for the duration of the emergency declaration and an additional 24 months, if the holder of the permit, within 90 days of the termination of the emergency declaration, notifies the Building Department in writing of the intent to exercise the aforementioned extension of permit validity, unless the permit has already expired, or he/she is in significant and documented, noncompliance with the conditions of the permit. The extended period to exercise the rights under a building permit may not exceed 48 months in total in the event of multiple natural emergencies for which the Governor declares a state of emergency.
Contact the Town of Orchid’s Building Department for information on the permitting process. Phone (772) 581-2770 or email the Building Clerk.
A post-disaster permitting guide will be available to help you with the necessary steps for repairs and rebuilding, ensuring compliance with all building codes.
Take photos or videos of all damage to your home and belongings. Make a detailed list of all damaged or lost items, including make, model, and serial numbers. Contact your insurance company immediately to file a claim.
If your home has suffered structural damage, seek to stay elsewhere! Contact the Building Department if damage to your home is severe by calling (772) 581-2770 or emailing the Building Clerk. An inspector on behalf of the Town may need to assess the damage to the property.
You can also report damage to your home (not to the landscaping or other structures on your property) to Indian River County to assist in the overall evaluation of community damage. This information is invaluable to the County as it assesses disaster impacts and communicates with State and Federal officials in an effort to obtain assistance. Be detailed in your description, and remember that the County is only interested in damage to your home that potentially impacts its livability.
Look out for hazards! Carefully consider whether entering your home is safe. If it is safe to enter your home, assess and document the damage to your property. Do not walk in standing water in or outside of your home. Floodwaters can play host to numerous unseen dangers. Remove all water. Clean and disinfect. Ventilate and dry. Dispose of unsafe items.