- February 7, 2025
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Hurricane Irma may be over but the work to repair the damage and clean up the debris has only begun.
In Port Orange, city officials have been busy making rounds to residents, businesses and local organizations to assess the damage and determine what needs to be worked on next.
Councilman Chase Tramont
Port Orange Councilman Chase Tramont wrote in an email that he visited the Emergency Operating Center on Saturday, Sept. 9, where the department heads were working with staff to ensure the city was prepared for what the storm would bring. According to Tramont, call center employees were busy answering phones, logging concerns and addressing issues brought to them.
The councilman noted he has been staying connected with city management and took several trips around town to make house calls to residents with flooded roads. He wrote that the council has mostly been focusing on disseminating information to the public regarding safety concerns and pertinent information.
"Sometimes the scariest thing during these types of events is not being in-the-know," Tramont wrote. "It is important that the public sees their officials and staff at work. It not only keeps them informed but also provides peace of mind knowing that the people relaying the information are taking action and doing their jobs."
Tramont had also assisted other residents in boarding up their homes before the storm as well as clearing out the drainage systems in some neighborhoods.
Councilman Drew Bastian
For Port Orange Councilman Drew Bastian, storm prep included helping to board up houses before Irma hit the region. According to Bastian, he spent three days boarding up houses with a neighbor. They were able to board up seven houses.
Bastian noted that in addition to prepping his own home, he worked to keep people updated by sharing information on what was happening through social media.
"After the storm passed my family helped clear several neighbors' yards of storm debris," Bastian wrote in an email. "We checked on several friends and neighbors."
According to Bastian, he also spent three hours driving throughout his district to check for damage.
Mayor Don Burnette
Mayor Don Burnette has spent much of much of his time relaying information to residents in order for them to be prepared for the hurricane and be safe afterward.
"I've spent a lot of time on Facebook, Facebook messenger, Twitter and texting information out as it comes in and answering questions," Burnette wrote in an email.
Burnette noted that he wanted citizens to know how dangerous the hurricane could be and that they should also be cautious when it has passed. According to Burnette, residents should be aware of dangerous situations in the area, particularly hazards such as downed power lines.
