INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — An ongoing county assessment found that 51 homes destroyed in the tornado outbreak preceding Hurricane Milton make up the majority of the $59.06 million in total damages as of Thursday. County officials said the initial estimate – $55 million – was expected to grow.
The residential properties – mostly on the barrier island and in the Highlands – sustained $43.67 million in damages, county officials said. Commercial properties and businesses had $15.38 million in damages.
County Administrator John Titkanich said overall 91 homes had major structural damage, 195 had minor structural damage and 457 had minor damage to properties. For commercial properties and businesses – including stores, coffee shops and restaurants – three were destroyed, 26 had major damage, 49 had minor damage and 38 were affected.
County officials inspected infrastructures, roadways, households and businesses. The catastrophic damage came as three confirmed tornadoes swooped through the barrier island and downtown Vero Beach on Oct. 9 hours before Hurricane Milton made landfall.
United Way of Indian River County started a Disaster Relief Fund to raise money for hurricane relief. The Indian River Community Foundation on Wednesday pledged $1 million to jump start the fundraising initiative.
Coffee House 1420, located in downtown Vero Beach, donated 100 percent of funds on Thursday to the Disaster Relief Fund.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency – or FEMA – provided funding to 34 counties, including Indian River County, after President Biden approved a major disaster declaration last Friday for Florida. The funds assist individuals and households, along with emergency work and repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities.
Gov. DeSantis issued a state of emergency for Indian River County on Oct. 6 ahead of Hurricane Milton, allowing the county to receive state funds for hurricane relief. Titkanich declared a local state of emergency on Oct. 7.
Those who wish to donate can visit the United Way of Indian River County website or call 772-567-8900.