Dozens gathered for a community resource meeting in Clay County, ten months after Hurricane Irma.
County, state, and federal representatives were on hand to help homeowners through the rebuilding process.
Clay County saw catastrophic flooding, especially in the Black Creek area.
Thirteen-hundred homes were impacted during the storm. Of those, 500 were heavily damaged or destroyed, including Cheryl and Jon Villalva’s home in Green Cove Springs.
“It was a long rebuilding process,” Mr. Villalva said.
10 months after Hurricane Irma, many in Clay County are still rebuilding. Tonight, a community meeting is being held to discuss the services available to help them recover. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/t38BsQcboI
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) July 12, 2018
After ten months of rebuilding, they finally moved back into their home this past Saturday.
“It’s been a lot, but it’s been a lot to be thankful for because we didn’t lose as much as other people to it when they lost their whole house. We were able to rebuild, “Mrs. Villalva said.
John Ward, the Director of Emergency Management in Clay County, said Irma was a shock to a lot in the community.
FEMA and the American Red Cross are some of the agencies represented at the meeting. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/u2Zq76QqLi
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) July 12, 2018
“We got a lot of residents that are still living in travel trailers and gutted out homes or vacant homes,” Ward said.
He said other resources, like the Flood Management Assistance Program and Community Development Block Grant, will be available in the coming future.
However, Ward said after the application period opens it could take 10 to 12 months until it is finalized.
If you have any questions, Ward said you can go to the ALERT Clay County web site or FEMA.
Clay County’s Emergency Management Director said Irma was “catastrophic” for the county. He said it was the highest impact they’ve ever seen. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/h2B6cHnn41
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) July 12, 2018
Cox Media Group