Volusia residents trying to protect homes from future floods find FEMA grants daunting
Lisa Chiarizzi says every time it rains, water comes right up to her pool deck. She and her husband, Bruce, bought their house close to the Tomoka River 9 years ago hoping it would be their forever home. Since then, she says it’s flooded three times.
Most Disaster Recovery Centers in Florida will close for Christmas, New Year’s, FEMA says
Disaster Recovery Centers across Florida that remain open to assist people impacted by recent hurricanes Ian and Nicole have posted holiday closures for Christmas and New Year’s, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian offered low-interest SBA loans
Florida homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit groups impacted by Hurricane Ian’s late September fury have received more than $1 billion in super low interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Assistance, according to a SBA spokesperson.
Applying for FEMA disaster assistance? You should apply for an SBA loan too, FEMA says
Thousands of people across Florida are eligible for disaster assistance from FEMA following Hurricane Ian. But if you are applying for help, FEMA wants you to apply for a disaster loan from the Small Business Administration too.
Many Floridians now eligible for Transitional Sheltering Assistance after Ian, FEMA says
The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Friday announced Floridians living in counties deemed eligible for FEMA individual assistance after Hurricane Ian qualify for the now-activated Transitional Sheltering Program.
Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties now eligible for FEMA assistance in Ian’s wake
Individuals and households in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties were deemed eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance amid Hurricane Ian’s continued damage to livelihoods and property statewide.
‘It’s concerning:’ Up to 40,000 Orange County residents have skipped second COVID-19 vaccine dose
Orange County residents who are overdue on their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to complete the series as quickly as possible, especially as the two largest sites in the region wind down operations.
Orange County Convention Center won’t be used to house unaccompanied migrant children
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Orange County Convention Center was considered as a potential location to provide shelter for unaccompanied migrant children but because the site is so busy, that won’t be happening. The Orange County Convention Center closed for several months last year due to the coronavirus pandemic but started hosting major events again in July 2020. Since then, dozens of shows have relocated to Central Florida and the convention center has a busy schedule through the summer. In August 2019, the Office of Refugee Resettlement was considering a vacant property on Landstreet Road in Orlando, near the Florida Mall, to be used to shelter unaccompanied migrant children. In that same letter, the ORR said that there were 5,400 unaccompanied migrant children in its care spread out across 120 facilities in 23 states.
100,000 vaccinations completed at federally-supported sites in Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. – Margie Johnson, 70, received the 100,000th dose of the vaccine at the FEMA supported vaccine site at Valencia College West Campus. Johnson said she took the bus from downtown Orlando to get her second dose at the site when she was surprised by workers inside. She got her second vaccine at the site at Valencia College West Campus. Mirna Gomez went to Valencia College on Tuesday morning to avoid any possible rush next week. Organizers at the FEMA site said they will be able to hand out 3,000 first doses of the Pfizer vaccine every day.
40-plus now eligible for COVID vaccine in Florida
ORLANDO, Fla. – Starting Monday, individuals 40 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida. John Papa, 40, was among the group getting his first shot of the Pfizer vaccine. The Florida Department of Health clarified on Friday that Floridians who are 16 or older will be eligible for the Pfizer vaccine on April 5 as well. According to the department, the Pfizer vaccine is the exception because it is the only vaccine currently authorized for individuals under the age of 18. AdThe news comes as Florida is scheduled to receive more than 700,000 vaccine doses this week.
Florida’s FEMA COVID-19 vaccination sites get extension to continue operations
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Those wishing to get the COVID-19 vaccine at one of the FEMA sites across the state will now have longer to do so. Starting Monday, all four sites will offer 3,000 first doses per day at each of the four locations thanks to Gov. Ron DeSantis asking the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Florida Department of Health to reallocate state vaccine supply to those sites. News 6 has contacted the Florida Department of Health for additional information on when first doses will no longer be offered. So far, 300,000 individuals have gotten inoculated at the FEMA sites.
Florida FEMA-supported vaccine sites to offer first doses until early April
ORLANDO, Fla. – The federally-supported vaccine sites in Florida, including in Orlando, will continue to offer first dose coronavirus vaccines until April 7, the Florida Division of Emergency Management announced Monday. The FEMA-supported sites in Orlando at Valencia College as well as in Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami were set to begin administering only second doses of the vaccine but will continue to offer 500 first doses of the Pfizer vaccine per day from March 24 to April 7, according to a news release. Beginning April 7, these sites will only offer the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine through April 14. Satellite sites associated with each federally-supported hub site will continue only administering second dose shots between March 24 – April 14. The federally-supported sites were only supposed to be open for eight weeks.
New FEMA mobile vaccine site opens in Orange County
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – FEMA opened a new mobile COVID-19 vaccination site in Orange County one day before the state expands eligibility requirements. Cars weaved through the cones as the line moved quickly at the new FEMA mobile vaccine site at the South Orange Youth Sports Complex. The site is offering 500 doses of the Pfizer vaccine Sunday through Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This marks the last couple of days FEMA is administering first doses at the main vaccination site at the west campus of Valencia College and its mobile sites. “Now we’ll go back to those same places three weeks later to give the second doses,” Prudhom said.
FEMA Orlando site to issue second COVID-19 vaccine doses only starting Wednesday
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The COVID-19 vaccination site at the west campus at Valencia College in Orlando will only issue second doses of the coronavirus vaccine starting Wednesday, according to the Florida Emergency Management. FEMA officials said the site was designed to remain in the community for eight weeks. The move to second doses only was made to make sure everyone who has already received the first dose at the FEMA site will get their second dose, according to officials. [TRENDING: Woman arrested in hit-run involving sheriff | Gov: Fla. won’t require ‘vaccine passports’ | Girl missing for weeks]AdFlorida is planning to offer the one dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine from April 14-28 at the Orlando site, according to FEMA. FEMA said state officials will work with the federal government if these sites should remain open after April 28.
WATCH LIVE: Gov. DeSantis, Jared Moskowitz hold news conference
Ron DeSantis said Wednesday, however, that contact tracing efforts are not working. “I think we have to admit that contact tracing has just not worked, OK,” DeSantis said. Contact tracing is a method of controlling COVID-19 by identifying the origin of infection, mapping it and asking people to quarantine. If you have not received your payment yet, the IRS urges you to file your 2020 taxes to get the money. VaccinationsThe Florida Department of Health began releasing a daily report in December on COVID-19 vaccines administered throughout the state.
FEMA administers COVID-19 vaccine at Orlando Northwest Neighborhood Center
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – In efforts to bring vaccine shots to those who otherwise wouldn’t have access, FEMA on Thursday opened a vaccine satellite site at the Northwest Neighborhood Center in Orlando. Ed Kirk, 65, said he drove from Melbourne to get his vaccine at the Northwest Community Center. Click here to see if you qualify for the vaccine under Orange County guidelines. Individuals can also head to Central Florida’s main FEMA site at Valencia College’s west campus in Orlando. AdFor more information about vaccination sites in Orange County, visit ocfl.net/vaccine.
As Florida gets ready to expand vaccine eligibility, state sees 3,699 new COVID-19 cases
The health care group includes first responders, such as firefighters and paramedics as well as Department of Health staff. New FEMA vaccine site is now open in Orange CountyFEMA opened a new mobile COVID-19 vaccination site on Sunday to serve people in east Orange County. Leaders said community canvassers will go door-to-door in neighborhoods to help more people get the COVID-19 vaccine. [READ YESTERDAY’S REPORT: Vaccine events focus on school employees as Florida reports 5,244 new COVID-19 cases]Find the state-run COVID-19 dashboard below:Below is a breakdown of Florida COVID-19 data reported by the state on March 14. CasesThe Florida Department of Health reported 3,699 new cases on Sunday, bringing the state’s overall total to 1,976,808 cases since the virus was first detected on March 1, 2020.
New FEMA mobile vaccine site opens in east Orange County
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – FEMA opened a new mobile COVID-19 vaccination site on Sunday to serve people in east Orange County. The site is at South Econ Park located at 3850 South Econlockhatchee Trail in Orlando. It’s open through Wednesday, March 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Alejandro Cuevas and Sonia Fuentes said they spent months trying to get the COVID-19 vaccine. [TRENDING: SpaceX launches 60 Starlink satellites | Weekend vaccine events for OCPS employees | Family speaks after deadly shooting]AdThe walk-up site is administering 500 doses of the Pfizer vaccine daily. He wants his vaccine,” Rosales said.
Orange County leaders go door-to-door to help seniors get vaccinated
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A new pilot program is launching in Orange County next week. Leaders said community canvassers will go door-to-door in neighborhoods to help more people get the COVID-19 vaccine. County officials said the concern is that some communities don’t have proper access to a vaccination site or may not have enough information. The goal of the program is to have trusted members of the community help get eligible individuals vaccinated inside their homes. AdOrange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe said that the county is actively seeking ways to increase the outreach to neighborhoods where vaccination numbers are low.