Deltona building and code staff outline pre-storm tasks: trim trees, secure generators and verify contractors

David Meyer, Deltona's new building official, and Danny Ron, manager of Code Compliance, reviewed practical steps residents should take ahead of storms: trim limbs well before a forecast, bundle debris early for pickup, and locate shelters and kit items in advance. "A great place to store these items is in a box or a bag that you put in the dishwasher. Your dishwasher is waterproof," Meyer said as a simple example for safeguarding documents.

Meyer and Ron warned that last-minute plywood and supply shortages are common and advised residents to prepare opening protectives and fasteners in advance. They urged homeowners to plan generator use carefully, calculate wattage needs for essential equipment (wells, septic lift stations, refrigerators) and, when possible, have a licensed electrician install a transfer system rather than relying on extension cords.

On post-storm cleanup and repairs, staff strongly advised verifying contractor credentials, permits and insurance. Meyer and Ron recommended using state and county tools to check contractors' registration: myfloridalicense.com for state licenses and sunbiz.org to verify company records. They said the city can provide information on local programs for residents who cannot afford private removal or repairs and that some nonprofits and churches coordinate volunteer assistance after storms.

The city will publish sandbag locations and debris-pickup procedures when needed and encouraged residents to consult city and county housing programs if they need help with cleanup or repairs.