\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCentral Florida counties are taking action to address repetitive flooding caused by hurricanes by purchasing and demolishing flood-prone homes using federal funds. In Lake Harney, water levels have reached up to seven feet on some homes, highlighting the severity of the issue. HURRICANE SUPPLIES | SURVIVAL GUIDE | WESH LONG-RANGE FORECAST | WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT INSURANCE | GENERATOR SETUP | TESTING CHAINSAWSSeminole County Emergency Manager Alan Harris said the county is using federal funds to buy properties in flood-prone zones. “If a home continues to repetitively flood over and over again, we want to get that individual out of hazards. It’s good for them, their stress levels, and it’s good for the insurance companies and it’s good for all of us,” Harris said. Harris explained that repairing or rebuilding some homes is not worth the cost. “It raises all of our insurance costs. We’ve seen insurance companies leave the state of Florida. It’s just a great burden, a great burden on first responders that have to respond out continuously storm after storm,” he said. For homeowners like Cassandra Geller, the decision to move is heartbreaking.”Heartbroken. I’m sorry to … we moved from Maryland to move here, and we never thought that we would have our home taken from us and have to move again,” Geller said. Earlier this year, Volusia County leaders voted to purchase her home in DeLand and tear it down. Several homes along Orange Camp Road are expected to be turned into a retention pond to help mitigate flooding. Daytona Beach’s Midtown neighborhood faces similar challenges. “I know people where I was living that, you know, where homes got flooded out. I mean lost everything. Whole house wiped out. Had to start back over,” one resident said. Two years ago, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers launched a study to find ways to reduce flooding. In May, they determined there is no simple or affordable fix. Daytona Beach would require major federal funding, but the project likely doesn\u2019t qualify because it isn\u2019t considered an “economically justified” plan. Engineers recommended the city buy out roughly 40 of the most flood-prone homes. Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry expressed his sorrow over the situation. “If I say I was anything less than absolutely heartbroken right now, would be lying,” Henry said. Despite the emotional toll, local government agencies are committed to keeping residents safe. Harris said mitigation programs open periodically, often after hurricanes, when funds become available. “Mitigation programs open up during periods of time so we wait until the next open period. Now after a hurricane there are funds that come down. Different mitigation funds. So there are a lot of different mitigation funds,” Harris said. The effort to buy and demolish flood-prone homes reflects the ongoing challenges posed by recurring flooding in Central Florida.Tracking the Tropics Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.RadarSevere Weather AlertsDownload the WESH 2 News app to get the most up-to-date weather alerts. The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Marquise Meda, Cam Tran and Victoria Wisniewski.>> 2026 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast>> Download Very Local | Stream Central Florida news and weather from WESH 2\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\tORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Central Florida counties are taking action to address repetitive flooding caused by hurricanes by purchasing and demolishing flood-prone homes using federal funds. <\/p>\n
In Lake Harney, water levels have reached up to seven feet on some homes, highlighting the severity of the issue. <\/p>\n
HURRICANE SUPPLIES<\/a> | SURVIVAL GUIDE<\/a> | WESH LONG-RANGE FORECAST<\/a> | WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT INSURANCE<\/a> | GENERATOR SETUP<\/a> | TESTING CHAINSAWS<\/a><\/p>\n Seminole County Emergency Manager Alan Harris said the county is using federal funds to buy properties in flood-prone zones. <\/p>\n “If a home continues to repetitively flood over and over again, we want to get that individual out of hazards. It’s good for them, their stress levels, and it’s good for the insurance companies and it’s good for all of us,” Harris said. <\/p>\n Harris explained that repairing or rebuilding some homes is not worth the cost. “It raises all of our insurance costs. We’ve seen insurance companies leave the state of Florida. It’s just a great burden, a great burden on first responders that have to respond out continuously storm after storm,” he said. <\/p>\n For homeowners like Cassandra Geller, the decision to move is heartbreaking.<\/p>\n “Heartbroken. I’m sorry to … we moved from Maryland to move here, and we never thought that we would have our home taken from us and have to move again,” Geller said. <\/p>\n Earlier this year, Volusia County leaders voted to purchase her home in DeLand and tear it down. Several homes along Orange Camp Road are expected to be turned into a retention pond to help mitigate flooding. <\/p>\n Daytona Beach’s Midtown neighborhood faces similar challenges. <\/p>\n “I know people where I was living that, you know, where homes got flooded out. I mean lost everything. Whole house wiped out. Had to start back over,” one resident said. <\/p>\n Two years ago, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers launched a study to find ways to reduce flooding. In May, they determined there is no simple or affordable fix. <\/p>\n Daytona Beach would require major federal funding, but the project likely doesn\u2019t qualify because it isn\u2019t considered an “economically justified” plan. Engineers recommended the city buy out roughly 40 of the most flood-prone homes. <\/p>\n Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry expressed his sorrow over the situation. <\/p>\n “If I say I was anything less than absolutely heartbroken right now, would be lying,” Henry said. <\/p>\n Despite the emotional toll, local government agencies are committed to keeping residents safe. Harris said mitigation programs open periodically, often after hurricanes, when funds become available. “Mitigation programs open up during periods of time so we wait until the next open period. Now after a hurricane there are funds that come down. Different mitigation funds. So there are a lot of different mitigation funds,” Harris said. <\/p>\n The effort to buy and demolish flood-prone homes reflects the ongoing challenges posed by recurring flooding in Central Florida.<\/p>\n Tracking the Tropics <\/p>\n Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.<\/p>\n Download the WESH 2 News app<\/a> to get the most up-to-date weather alerts. <\/p>\n The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi<\/a>, Eric Burris<\/a>, Marquise Meda<\/a>, Cam Tran<\/a> and Victoria Wisniewski<\/a>.<\/p>\n >> 2026 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast<\/a><\/p>\n