In visit with local officials, Gov. Rick Scott says he’ll aid coordination for hurricane repairs

Palm Coast Observer
News

Florida Gov. Rick Scott told local officials in an Oct. 31 meeting that he would do what he could to ease bureaucratic hurdles facing homeowners, businesses and local governments attempting to repair damage from Hurricane Matthew.

“Probably the biggest issues Flagler is dealing with is what happened to your beaches, some of the water intrusion, how do we get everybody from DEP to the Department of Transportation to FEMA to the Corp of Engineers all to work together,” Scott said to reporters after the meeting. “So I’m going to work hard to get everybody to work together.”

Work on a temporary repair of a closed 1.3-mile section of State Road A1A is already underway. The work is being performed by Halifax Paving of Ormond Beach, which has a contract with the Florida Department of Transportation to complete the fix within 45 days of the signing of the contract over the Oct. 22-23 weekend.

“I think we’re going to be able to be open even a little bit earlier than that,” Scott said. Flagler

County Sheriff Jim Manfre said he expected two-way traffic to be flowing on that section of A1A in early November, though the speed zone would be lowered to 25 mph. "It’s extraordinary that this is happening so quickly, and it is because of the governor’s efforts," Manfre said.

Scott on Oct. 20 had ordered FDOT to expedite the work on A1A.

His meeting Oct. 31 with local officials — including County Administrator Craig Coffey, County Commission Chairwoman Barbara Revels, Sheriff Jim Manfre, School District Superintendent Jacob Oliva, Public Safety Emergency Manager Steve Garten, Adjutant General of Florida Maj. Gen. Michael Calhoun and Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts — lasted about 30 minutes and was not open to the public.

“He understands that this is not over,” Netts said after the meeting. “Just the fact that the governor is here is sending the message that you have not been forgotten.”

Scott had said he would do what he could to speed the permitting process for work on damaged structures near the beach, Netts said. Palm Coast is also waiting on data from FEMA on how much post-hurricane work the city will be reimbursed for. Netts hoped for an initial response in 24-48 hours.

Revels said the governor had the power to improve communication and coordination between municipalities and the various state and federal agencies involved in responding to the storm.

“I’m sure he’s hearing the same thing everywhere he’s stopping,” she said. “He can being together all those agencies.”