March Tornado Recovery

On Monday, March 10, an EF2 tornado impacted Seminole County in the Longwood area. Peak winds reached 120 mph, with the tornado tracking four miles in damage.

Debris Cleanup

Residents and their contractors in the area impacted most by the storm should follow the below debris cleanup guidelines. 

Construction and Demolition Debris(Man-Made Objects, Housing Materials, Fences, etc.)

Place into dumpsters provided by Seminole County on Misty Morn Place in the Whispering Winds neighborhood. Do NOT overfill the dumpsters. If they are overfilled past the top of the container, they cannot be transported safely, which may slow down collection. Containers will be picked up on a daily basis at a minimum.

Construction and demolition debris bulk pickup can be placed on the roadway without a call ahead. It needs to be three (3) trash cans in size. Otherwise, it should be hauled away.  

Vegetative Debris(Trees, Landscape, etc.)

Pile on the curbside on grass or natural surfaces, not sidewalks or driveways. Seminole County will pick up from the right-of-way.

Pile away from any structures such as mailboxes, water meters, fences, stormwater inlets, etc.

If you are paying a contractor to haul away vegetative debris, make sure they are hauling it out and not just placing on the curbside.

Unmet Needs

Seniors or anyone with special needs or medical conditions who need assistance around their home with land clearing and repairs, please contact the Seminole County Office of Emergency Management. More than 12 faith-based and non-profit organizations have pledged assistance to support seniors and those with special needs during this crisis.

To obtain assistance, or if your organization would like to help, call the Office of Emergency Management at 407-665-5102.

Emergency Permitting and Repairs

During post-storm cleanup, unsuspecting consumers can be easy prey for unlicensed contractors with lower bids.

Hire a Licensed, Local Contractor

• Unlicensed contractors may not have insurance or may not adhere to building codes. Some may even be criminals looking to take your money without doing the work.
• Local, licensed contractors know the area and the local permitting procedures.
• Check to see if a company/contractor is properly licensed and insured at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/.

Obtain a Permit when Necessary

• Roof repairs (over 100 sq. ft.), electrical repairs, window replacements, and many other types of work require a permit from the Building Department.
• Licensed contractors should ensure necessary permits are obtained to repair storm-damaged structures.

Call the Building Department with Questions

• The Seminole County Building Department is here to answer your questions about licensed contractors or permits.
• Visit www.seminolecountyfl.gov/emergencyrepair or call 407-665-7050.

Legal Aid

Legal aid is available through Community Legal Sevices. 

"Community Legal Services is a full service civil legal aid law firm that promotes equal access to justice, which is a core American value. Nearly one million people in Central Florida qualify for services. Attorneys and advocates provide legal assistance, helping nearly 10,000 people in Central Florida each year. Community Legal Services provides professional legal services to help vulnerable populations protect their livelihoods, their health, and their families. Community Legal Services makes it easier for the most vulnerable and disenfranchised Central Floridians to access legal information, gain legal assistance and representation, and to understand their rights."

For more information, visit LegalAccessForAll.org or call 1-800-405-1417.