National Preparedness Week

Good morning, Volusia County neighbors!

As we wrap up National Hurricane Preparedness Week, I’d like to bring you some important Volusia County-specific information that you should hang onto and share with your family and neighbors.

Our resilient community has faced real challenges — Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022, then Milton in 2024 that brought 14-15 inches of rain to Deltona and Debary.

We saw 19 roads closed in Deltona alone, with neighborhoods like Regent Drive, Dorchester, Catalina, and Elkcam Boulevard underwater. Debary’s recreation areas flooded, and the drone footage of our streets turned into rivers was a powerful reminder of how quickly things can change.

But those same storms also showed the heart of our county — neighbors helping neighbors, communities pulling together.

That’s why community awareness and preparation matter so much right now, with Hurricane Season starting June 1st. And it’s the perfect moment to talk about real flood prevention strategies we can all embrace together:

• Right at home: Keep storm drains and ditches clear of debris, maintain your gutters and downspouts, and never dump yard waste into the stormwater system.

• Property-level protection: Elevate critical equipment, install flood barriers, and consider home elevation or buyout programs in high-risk zones.

• Community-wide solutions: Restore wetlands, maintain and upgrade our canals, ponds, and pipes, complete the Theresa Basin, McGarity, Providence and other studies — then turn those plans into actual fixes like new retention areas, road elevations, and improved drainage.

Here are the key Volusia County contacts and resources to keep handy:

• FloridaDisaster.org/Guide

• Volusia County Hurricane Preparedness Hub: http://www.volusia.org/hurricane/

• Emergency Hotline (activated during storms): 866-345-0345

• Emergency Management Office (preparedness questions & presentations): 386-254-1500

• Main County Information Line: 386-736-2700

• Download the free Volusia County Emergency Management App for real-time alerts, shelters, and sandbag locations.

• Sign up for AlertVolusia at http://www.volusia.org/alertvolusia

Take time this weekend to review your family emergency plan, restock your disaster supply kit, and check on elderly neighbors and special-needs families. Small steps today keep our entire county stronger.

I’m running for County Council as a because I believe in fiscal responsibility, smart growth that protects our neighborhoods, and real infrastructure solutions

— not more studies and excuses. I’m doing this the grassroots way: collecting petitions instead of wasting $2,500 on qualifying fees.

We still need your help to reach 1,000 signed petitions by the deadline.

Text me, 321-299-4797 email me, or drop them off — I’ll come meet you wherever you are in Deltona, Debary, or across the district.

If you’re able to support our people-powered campaign financially, every single gift makes a real difference.

Whether it’s $5, $25, $50, $100, or even $1,000 — your contribution helps us reach more families, print more materials, and keep fighting for the solutions our communities deserve.

No amount is too small, and every dollar stays focused on protecting Volusia County.

Visit my website today and give what you can:

https://davidsosa4volusiacounty.com/

Learn more, sign the petition, donate securely, and join our team.

Let’s turn this awareness into action — preparing our homes, protecting our neighborhoods, and building a safer, more accountable Volusia County together.

Thank you for your support and your dedication to our community. Have a blessed, safe, and productive Friday!

I’m here and ready to hear from you.

J. David Sosa

Posted on 08 May 2026, 16:11 - Category: SB 180 and HB 1730.