Governor declares state of emergency for Volusia, 8 other counties; flood damage $52M countywide

NSBNEWS.net photo by Sera Frederick. Sandbags aren't enough to keep excess rainwater out of this house off Atlantic Avenue.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Gov. Charlie Crist this afternoon declared a State of Emergency for the counties of Volusia, Flagler, Brevard, Seminole, Orange, Putnam, St. Johns, Clay and Duval.

Volusia has been hardest hit among the nine Central and North Florida Counties, with $52 million in property damage estimated by Volusia Property Appraiser Morgan Gilreath. Nearly 1,000 homes across from Volusia have been damaged by the flooding and portions of Daytona International Speedway are submerged in water. In New Smyrna Beach, 52 homes are damaged by flooding and the city is running 18 pumps around the clock to try and alleviate massive water build-up.

Crist signed executive order 09-126, making the affected counties hammered by five days of rain and resulting flooding, eligible for disaster aid. Crist also dispatched Division of Emergency Management Interim Director Ruben Almaguer to Volusia County where he was working with local emergency-management crews late this afternoon to review damages to homes, property and public facilities.

Crist has also spoken with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate regarding the flooding, according to his press office in Tallahassee.