John Blount PE’s Post

UPDATE-Business Recovery Assistance Resources and More Information (Please Repost) Greenville City Economic Development Corp (GCEDC) has launched a webpage to help inform business owners of available resources to assist in recovery from Hurricane Helene. The link to this site is: https://lnkd.in/eP_p9tyy 32% of Greenville County remains without power as of 6:30PM Thursday, per the latest briefing from Greenville County Emergency Management. 7 intersections in the city remain blocked due to high voltage power lines. They will require several Duke Energy teams to resolve. If you are not already receiving text updates from Duke Energy for an estimate of when power will be restored to your property Text “Out” to 57801. At this time, the City is not able to give updates more current than what this text notification service is providing from Duke Energy. A preliminary damage assessment around the county shows that 1,297 structures have minor repairable damage, 642 have significant damage that requires extensive repairs, and 53 structures or homes that are deemed a total loss. The City is working deliberately to help property owners get back on their feet. In addition to waiving building permit fees for storm damage repairs, our Planning Department will not require certificates of appropriateness for building permits related to hurricane damage. The City's section of the Swamp Rabbit Trail is clear and open for public use. Greenlink resumed trolley operations today. Greenlink is limiting its service to daylight hours for the safety of our bus drivers and passengers.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Central Florida’s resilience shines through once again. As homeowners and business owners begin the journey of recovery, it’s important to take proactive steps to protect our properties and prepare for the future. For those affected, the first priority is safety. Ensure your home or business is secure before assessing any damage. Remember to document everything for insurance purposes—those photos will be key for claims. If you’re navigating the claims process, don’t hesitate to reach out to your provider as soon as possible, and keep an eye on additional resources like FEMA and SBA disaster relief options. Remember the new required flood disclosures. Now is also a great time to think about long-term protection. Hurricane shutters, impact-resistant windows, and even simple roof improvements can make a huge difference in future storms. Business owners can benefit from updating disaster recovery plans and protecting essential equipment. Let’s remember that rebuilding is always possible, and Central Florida is stronger together. If you’ve learned something useful through this experience or have tips to share, drop a comment below! Your insight could help someone else on their road to recovery. #HurricaneRecovery #CentralFloridaStrong #BusinessResilience #PropertyProtection #CommunityFirst #LeadershipInAction

AquaFence Proves Effective Against Hurricane Milton Innovative Flood Protection Technology Safeguards Tampa General Hospital In a remarkable demonstration of its effectiveness, AquaFence's temporary bulwarks successfully protected Tampa General Hospital from Hurricane Milton's floodwaters, just two weeks after shielding it from Hurricane Helene. Located in the high-risk flood zone of Davis Islands, Tampa General Hospital, the only Level 1 trauma center in the region, remained operational throughout the storm, thanks to AquaFence's watertight fences. What is AquaFence? AquaFence's cutting-edge technology features: ‣ 1-inch-thick panels securing to the ground ‣ Withstanding high winds and flooding ‣ Installation in just 30 minutes (100 feet) ‣ Reusable up to 60 times Expanding Protection to Homes AquaFence is developing a residential model, poised to revolutionize flood protection for households. This game-changing innovation is expected to cost around $20,000 per household, making flood security more accessible. The Bigger Picture As climate change intensifies natural disasters, AquaFence's technology shines as a beacon of hope. With over $30 billion worth of real estate protected across 24 US states, this innovative solution is mitigating climate risks. #AquaFence #HurricaneMilton #FloodProtection #ClimateResilience #Innovation #DisasterRelief #Sustainability

As Hurricane Milton rapidly intensifies into a Category 5 storm, Florida faces yet another major threat. With life-threatening storm surges, damaging winds, and widespread flooding expected, emergency responders are working around the clock to protect communities. Our latest blog breaks down the storm’s path, its potential impact, and how Juvare’s tools like #CrisisTrack and #WebEOC will support recovery efforts. Full Blog 👇 https://lnkd.in/gEHvf-k7 #HurricaneMilton #Juvare

As Hurricane Milton rapidly intensifies into a Category 5 storm, Florida faces yet another major threat. With life-threatening storm surges, damaging winds, and widespread flooding expected, emergency responders are working around the clock to protect communities. Our latest blog breaks down the storm’s path, its potential impact, and how Juvare’s tools like #CrisisTrack and #WebEOC will support recovery efforts. Full Blog 👇 https://lnkd.in/gC3SR-rm #HurricaneMilton #Juvare

Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force has entered Hurricane Condition II (HURCON 2) in preparation for Hurricane Milton. HURCON 2 indicates surface winds in excess of 50 knots (58 mph) could arrive in the area within 24 hours. Forecasts show that Hurricane Milton is expected to be a Category 1 hurricane when it arrives in our area. Therefore, there is no mandatory evacuation. Evacuation of non-essential personnel and families is voluntary, and those travel expenses will not be reimbursed. While the anticipated impacts of this storm are not driving a mandatory evacuation, we do expect downed trees, power outages, possible cell service outages, and localized flooding. During the storm there are public shelters around Brevard County available for those looking to shelter-in-place outside of their residence. More information on these public shelters, including a list of shelters for anyone with pets, can be found at online and are being broadcast on local radio stations and TV news stations. https://lnkd.in/eV8HhE5M • If sheltering during high winds, go to a FEMA safe room, ICC 500 storm shelter, or a small, interior, windowless room or hallway on the lowest floor that is not subject to flooding. • If trapped in a building by flooding, go to the highest level of the building. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising flood water. • Listen for current emergency information and instructions. • Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery OUTDOORS ONLY and away from windows. • Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away. • Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Please continue to monitor weather stations and ensure that your home and belongings are secure. For more information on base closures and other updates, visit our website. https://lnkd.in/e8pNHxTd

**Pack Mules Used for Deliveries as Hurricane Helene Renders Roads Impassable** Hurricane Helene has caused catastrophic damage across the southeastern U.S., leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, particularly in western North Carolina. Flooding and high winds have made many roads impassable, with over 400 closures reported in the region. As a result, some areas have been forced to rely on pack mules to deliver essential supplies, a nod to more traditional methods of transportation as modern infrastructure remains unusable. While coastal areas of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina experienced significant damage, it was western North Carolina that bore the brunt of the storm’s flooding. Torrential rains, particularly in the mountainous regions, have isolated cities like Asheville, with many routes still blocked. Additionally, around 700,000 customers in North Carolina, including most gas stations, are without power, further complicating recovery efforts. As clean-up operations continue, pack mules have become a lifeline for residents in areas that cannot be reached by helicopters or emergency vehicles. The situation underscores the long road to recovery ahead, with years potentially needed to restore the damaged infrastructure.

As a Florida resident gearing up for Hurricane Milton's imminent arrival, the community here is rallying together amidst rapid intensification forecasts, state of emergency declarations, and critical evacuations throughout 35 counties. - Hurricane Milton Intensification and Forecast: Hurricane Milton, now a Category 4 storm, is forecast to make landfall in Florida late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning as a Category 3 hurricane. It has strengthened rapidly, becoming one of the fastest-intensifying hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin, with winds of up to 180 mph and a predicted storm surge of 8-12 feet in the Tampa Bay area. - State of Emergency and Evacuations: Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 35 Florida counties ahead of the storm. Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued in several counties, including Charlotte, Citrus, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, and Pasco. Residents are advised to move inland to avoid storm surge and flooding. - Preparations and Response: Governments, businesses, and residents are preparing for the storm by stocking up on supplies, filling sandbags, and lowering water levels in lakes and reservoirs. FEMA is on the ground supporting recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene and preparing for Hurricane Milton. The Florida Attorney General’s Office has extended the Price Gouging Hotline due to the state of emergency. - Impact on Infrastructure and Travel: Tampa International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport are set to close due to the storm, with Tampa International stopping flights at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Traffic is heavy on evacuation routes, and crews are working to clear debris from Hurricane Helene. - Political and Federal Response: President Biden spoke with Governor DeSantis ahead of the storm, while DeSantis refused a call from Vice President Kamala Harris, citing it as politically motivated. Federal officials are working closely with state emergency managers to prepare for the storm. #HurricanePreparedness #FloridaStrong #StormReady #CommunitySupport #EmergencyResponse #SafetyFirst #WeatherAlert #HurricaneMilton #StaySafeFlorida #DisasterRelief

Hurricane Helene moved quickly past Florida,; for those returning to your communities, here are some things to lookout for. Always follow all special instructions from your local officials. This includes whether it is safe to return home if you were evacuated. *Never wade in standing floodwater and avoid downed power lines. *Avoid Downed Power Lines Downed power lines are dangerous. *Always assume that downed power lines are live. *Never touch or drive over downed power lines. *Call 911 immediately to report downed power lines. Assess for Damage.. If you have been sheltering in place or are returning home after an evacuation, you should survey your property for damage and assess if it is safe to remain or return to. You should carefully evaluate the following: Structural stability. Evidence of flooding or the presence of standing water. Presence of pests, animals, and chemicals. Damage done to plumbing, gas lines, or fuel tanks. Damage done to your heating and cooling system. Do not enter a building with structural damage until local authorities have inspected it and deemed it safe. As always, I’m only a phone call away! ☎️407-403-3477 https://lnkd.in/euv28FqM.