Post Hurricane Irma Advisory City of Ft Pierce

Post Hurricane Irma Advisory City of Ft Pierce

Building

In the aftermath of disasters in which large numbers of buildings are damaged, there are likely to be opportunists posing as legitimate contractors willing to assist you in making needed repairs. The best way to avoid these unscrupulous or illegal operators is to ask for proof of both a current state contractor’s license and a certificate of worker’s compensation insurance.

For a list of licensed General Contractors in Fort Pierce, visit: https://cityoffortpierce.com/DocumentCenter/View/4146

Building Procedures after a Disaster: https://cityoffortpierce.com/DocumentCenter/View/4144

Building Department Special Flood Procedures: https://cityoffortpierce.com/DocumentCenter/View/4145

Debris Collection

Debris removal will begin on Monday, September 18. Residents with yard waste and storm debris should separate material in two piles along the right of way, not in the road. Please take care not to block access to fire hydrants and utility boxes. Avoid placing debris under low hanging wires.

FPUA Update

Of the 23,774 electric customers without power after Hurricane Irma, FPUA has restored electric service to 22,221 (93.5%) of those customers affected. FPUA currently has 1,553 customers without power as of Thursday morning. We ask that our customers remain patient as FPUA electric crews and mutual aid crews from Michigan continue restoration efforts until all electric service has been restored.

FPUA Customer Solutions (CS) is located at 206 S 6th Street. They can be reached by phone at 772-466-1600, extension 3900. The CS drive up window located at is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. The CS lobby will reopen today, September 14 at 9:00 am. Online payment services are available.

FEMA Assistance

Residents should contact FEMA directly for assistance, 1-800-621-3362

St. Lucie County’s 911 Call Center has received several calls from residents seeking financial assistance and/or reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) relating to costs associated with Hurricane Irma.

Residents seeking FEMA assistance should contact the federal agency directly; as local governments are not involved in the reimbursement/claims process for individuals or businesses.  To see if you qualify for FEMA assistance for Hurricane Irma, please visit: https://www.fema.gov/hurricane-irma

Additionally, if residents plan to hire anyone to repair home damage; replace fences or make other repairs as a result of Hurricane Irma, be sure to employ a licensed and insured contractor and obtain building permits as required.

You can verify if a contractor is State Certified through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation by Searching atwww.myfloridalicense.com.  To find out if a contractor is locally licensed through the City of Fort Pierce, contact the City Clerk’s office at (772) 467-3065 or the Building Department at (772) 467-3718.

Infographics:

• Coming Home After A Flood: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/images/114335
• How To File Your Flood Insurance Claim: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/120200

Fact Sheets:

• Understanding Flood Loss Avoidance
• NFIP Policyholders Must Follow the Guildelines of Their Flood Policy When Cleaning Up https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/135937
• Mold Clean Up After Floods https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-after-floods
• What To Do After A Flood  https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/136023
• What To Do After Your Flood Adjuster Visits https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/136008
• Understanding the NFIP Claims Process https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1454965506940-fabb104bfd871fd94e3c6ce5e3d59e19/NFIP_Flood_Cl
• Flood Insurance Claims Handbook for Policyholders https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/6659
• Increased Cost of Compliance  https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/12164

Information from FEMA.gov website:

• Individual Disaster Assistance https://www.fema.gov/individual-disaster-assistance
• NFIP WYO Company Phone List https://nfip-iservice.com/Claims_TollFree/Toll-Free%20Number%20by%20WYO.pdf
• NFIP Flood Insurance Claims Handbook https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/6659
• Flood Claims Appeals https://www.fema.gov/flood-claim-appeals-and-guidance
• Tips for Clean-Up https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/135937
• How Do I File My Flood Claim https://www.fema.gov/nfip-file-your-claim

GENERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE:  www.disasterassistance.gov

Meetings/Events

• King Plant Redevelopment Pre-Qualification Meeting – Rescheduled to Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at 3:00 PM.
• Budget Hearing – 1st Reading of Ordinance has been rescheduled to Monday, 9/18/17 at 6:30 PM, a regular meeting
• Special FPRA Meeting – Budget Hearing has been rescheduled to Monday, 9/18/17 at 5:45 PM
• Budget Hearing – 2nd Reading of Ordinance has been rescheduled to Monday, 9/25/17 at 5:05 PM, a special meeting
• Planning Board Meeting – Rescheduled for September 28th at 6:00 PM
• Coffee with the Mayor – Rescheduled for Friday, September 22, 2017 at 8:00 AM
• Parent Academy Lip Sync Battle at Sunrise Theatre – Postponed, date to be determined.

Property Appraiser

Property owners that have experienced flood damage to the interior of their property or substantial wind damage due to Hurricane Irma, please contact the St. Lucie County Property Appraiser’s Office at PA_RealEstate@paslc.org or 772.460.3315.

Schools

St. Lucie Public Schools

St. Lucie Public Schools and District Offices will remain closed on Thursday, September 14 and Friday, September 15, 2017.  Afterschool and athletic activities are also suspended.

St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) remains dedicated to meeting the nutritional needs of students. Breakfast and lunch will be served to students (pre-K through age 18) on Thursday, September 14 and Friday, September 15 at the following school locations: Bayshore Elementary, C.A. Moore Elementary, Northport K–8, Samuel S. Gaines K-8 Academy, St. Lucie Elementary, Village Green Elementary, Weatherbee Elementary, and Windmill Point Elementary. Breakfast will be served from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM and lunch will be served from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM on both days.

The meals are free, and students may go to any location.  They are not required to go to their home school.  Students choosing to enjoy meals at any of the identified SLPS sites will report to the front office prior to each meal. 

IRSC

Indian River State College will remain closed on Thursday, September 14 and Friday, September 15, 2017.

St. Anastasia Catholic School and John Carroll Catholic High School

Due to internet issues, allowing enough time for evacuees to return home, the streets being deemed safe for travel, and the percentage of students and staff without power, we will reopen on Monday, September 18, 2017.

Shelter

An emergency shelter at the Percy Peek Gym, 2902 Avenue D in Fort Pierce is now open for residents effected by Hurricane Irma thanks to assistance from the American Red Cross, the City of Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County. Individuals should bring items needed for comfort, including: blankets, linens, non-perishable food for individual preference or dietary needs. Medications in prescription bottles, medical supplies, medical equipment. Personal items; important papers, glasses, hygiene articles, clothing, flashlight, quiet games i.e cards, books.

Tree Removal

Removal of downed and severely damaged trees does not require a permit, however; it is the resident’s responsibility to remove downed trees on their property. Residents should place their vegetative debris along the right-of-way. Debris pick-up will begin on Monday, September 18.