Flooding that previously left 66 Martin County homes reported damaged, including 25 destroyed, has now affected 77 homes, according to an updated county report, with recovery help available Wednesday at Hoke Library in Jensen Beach. The county is also accepting applications for state disaster housing assistance from households that meet income requirements, while Florida has requested federal disaster assistance.
Martin County Emergency Management Director Sally Waite reported the 77 affected homes at Tuesday’s commission meeting and said assessment teams planned to visit each home to document damage. The updated affected-home total does not specify how many homes fall into the earlier damaged or destroyed categories. Jensen Beach residents told commissioners that flooding had forced them from their homes and questioned county leaders about drainage and how they were warned.
The Multi-Agency Resource Center at Hoke Library, 1150 NW Jack Williams Way, is open Wednesday despite the closure of regular library services for Veterans Day. State agencies and local nonprofits are connecting residents with recovery resources. The county says more agencies and services will be added throughout the week. The center operates Wednesday through Saturday until further notice and is closed Sundays.
Residents can call 772-320-3169 for information about state disaster housing assistance and its income requirements. They can also report flood damage and complete a needs survey on the county’s flood recovery page.
Florida announced Monday that it had requested a presidential major disaster declaration for the flooding. FEMA Individual Assistance, if authorized for Martin County, could help eligible households pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs and other eligible expenses.