Flagler County opens hurricane assistance center

Flagler County is opening an Assistance Center Wednesday to help residents get information and some resources for their needs in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.  The Center is ahead of a potential FEMA Disaster Center.

The center will be housed at the Palm Coast Branch Library, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway NW, and it will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning Wednesday.

Multiple agencies will be located at the Assistance Center including the following: United Way, Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral Healthcare, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Flagler County Health Department, Flagler County Human Services, Flagler County Homebuilder's Association, Department of Children and Families, FEMA (once they arrive) and Verizon with two charging stations.

"There are already people at the library charging their phones," said Flagler County IT Director Jarrod Shupe. "It is really great that they provided us with these charging stations. 

Small satellite facilities will be set up at the Adult Education Center, 5633 N. State Road A1A, Hammock, and at the Hidden Trails Community Center, 6108 Mahogany Blvd., Daytona North. Residents will be pre-screened for necessary services and provide counseling.

"We are doing everything we can to help our residents get the assistance they need," Flagler County Administrator Craig Coffey said. "People are already stressed out, and it can be a daunting task to figure out what you need to next. We are here to offer whatever support we can."