Danny Federico
reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Debby in Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette Counties led to significant increases in river levels the past couple of weeks, with several locations experiencing flooding or nearing flood stages throughout August.
Rainfall Totals
On the day Debby hit the tri-county area, Monday, Aug. 5, Suwannee County experienced substantial rainfall, with the Suwannee Farms area recording the highest total at 10.72 inches. Other notable totals in the county included 8.47 inches in Live Oak and 8.91 inches near Lake Louise, according to measurements taken at Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) by the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD).
In Hamilton County, the SRWMD reported the rainfall was slightly lower but still significant, with the Alapaha Tower area receiving 6.47 inches, Christie Tower at 6.11 inches, and the City of Jasper at 4.84 inches.
Lafayette County saw similar conditions, with the highest rainfall recorded at the Midway Tower at 9.92 inches. Cooks Hammock received 5.59 inches, while the area around Mallory Tom Gunter Road recorded 7.69 inches of rain.
River Flood Stages and Rising Water Levels
The heavy rainfall led to rising river levels, particularly in the Suwannee River, which flows through all three counties. Several locations saw the river rise above flood stage, leading to extended periods of elevated water levels.
In Suwannee County, the Suwannee River at Suwannee Springs surpassed its flood stage of 60 feet, reaching a peak of 63.50 feet on Friday, Aug. 9. The river remained above the flood stage until Friday, Aug. 23, when it measured 60.07 feet.
At Nobles Ferry Bridge, the river did not reach its flood stage of 56 feet. It peaked at 55 feet on Sunday, Aug. 11, and was recorded at 48.93 feet on Friday, Aug. 23. Similarly, the river at the State Park in Ellaville did not exceed its flood stage of 53 feet, peaking at 48.52 feet on Monday, Aug. 12 and reducing to 42.76 feet by Friday, Aug. 23. Dowling Park and Luraville also experienced a rise in river levels but remained below their respective flood stages of 47 feet and 35 feet. The highest levels recorded were 41 feet at Dowling Park on Tuesday, Aug. 13, and 34.49 feet at Luraville on the same day.
The Suwannee River at Peacock Springs rose to 33.34 feet on Tuesday, Aug. 13, before dropping to 30.53 feet by Friday, Aug. 23, while the river at Branford exceeded its flood stage of 25 feet, peaking at 25.86 feet on Wednesday, Aug. 14 and lowering to 23.89 feet by Friday, Aug. 23.
In Hamilton County, the Suwannee River at White Springs remained above its flood stage of 74 feet, reaching a maximum of 78 feet on Friday, Aug. 9. The river level did not drop below flood stage until Friday, Aug. 23, when it was recorded at 73.65 feet.
In Lafayette County, the Suwannee River at Lafayette Blue Springs Pool reached a high of 36.81 feet on Tuesday, Aug. 13, before dropping to 33.38 feet on Friday, Aug. 23. The SRWMD has not established the flood stage at this location.
FEMA Assistance Available
In response to the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Debby, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has established Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Lafayette and Suwannee Counties. These centers are designed to provide personalized assistance to Floridians affected by the storm, offering a range of services to help individuals and families begin the recovery process.
The DRCs are located at the Mayo Community Center, 150 NW Community Cir. and at Hale Park, 215 Duval St. NE, in Live Oak. Both centers operate daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
At these centers, residents of Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette Counties can meet with representatives from FEMA, the State of Florida and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to discuss their specific needs and explore the available support options. No appointment is necessary, and walk-ins are encouraged.
Additionally, FEMA offers a range of assistance programs to help both renters and homeowners who have suffered uninsured losses due to Hurricane Debby. This aid can cover several critical needs, including:
- Temporary Lodging: Financial assistance for temporary housing if the home is uninhabitable.
- Basic Home Repairs: Grants to make essential repairs to ensure the home is safe, sanitary and functional.
- Personal Property Loss: Compensation for damaged or destroyed personal property.
- Other Disaster-Related Expenses: Financial support for various disaster-related costs, including medical and dental expenses, funeral costs and transportation repairs.
Renters, including students who may have lost personal property or were displaced, are also eligible for FEMA assistance.
The fastest way to apply for FEMA assistance is online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Alternatively, individuals can use the FEMA mobile app or call the helpline, available daily, at (800) 621-3362.
In addition to FEMA grants, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations to help cover losses not fully compensated by insurance. SBA representatives are on-site at the DRCs to provide one-on-one assistance with the loan application process. Applicants can also apply for disaster loans online at www.SBA.gov/disaster or call the SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 for more information.
What to Expect After Applying
Once an application is submitted, FEMA will send an eligibility letter outlining the applicant's status and any further actions required. Applicants must review this letter carefully, as it will detail the amount of assistance, the appropriate use of funds, and any additional documentation needed to process the application.
Commonly required documents include proof of insurance coverage, identity, occupancy, ownership and confirmation that the damaged property was the applicant's primary residence at the time of the disaster.
If applicants have questions about their letter or disagree with FEMA's initial decision, they can visit a DRC or call the FEMA helpline to understand what information is needed to support their claim.
Home Inspections and Application Processing
For some applicants, a home inspection may be necessary to assess the extent of the damage and determine the amount of assistance required. FEMA inspectors will contact applicants to schedule an appointment for this inspection. It is important to note that FEMA inspectors carry official identification and will not ask for any form of payment. The inspection process typically takes about 45 minutes, and applicants are encouraged to respond promptly to calls or texts from inspectors to avoid delays in their application processing.
After the inspection, it generally takes seven to ten days for FEMA to process the application. Applicants can check the status of their applications or obtain further guidance by calling the FEMA helpline.
Beware of Scams and Fraud
FEMA is urging Floridians to be vigilant about potential scams and fraudulent activities following Hurricane Debby. Scam artists may attempt to impersonate FEMA representatives to steal personal information or money. Genuine FEMA representatives will never ask for money or personal financial information and will always carry official identification.
Residents who suspect fraud or believe they are victims of a scam should immediately report the incident to their local law enforcement or contact the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at (866) 720-5721. Additionally, any suspicions of fraud, waste or abuse can be reported to FEMA via email at StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov.