Brevard County Emergency Management Recovery

After an emergency, Emergency Management is focused on coordinating with county, state, federal, non-profit, and private agencies to rebuild communities so individuals, businesses, and governments can function on their own, return to normal life, and protect against future hazards.

Recovery is the effort to restore infrastructure and the social and economic life of a community to normal, but it should incorporate mitigation as a goal. For the short term, recovery may mean bringing necessary lifeline systems up to an acceptable standard while providing for basic human needs and ensuring that the social needs of individuals and the community are met. Once some stability is achieved, the jurisdiction can begin recovery efforts for the long term, restoring economic activity and rebuilding community facilities and family housing with attention to long-term mitigation needs.

Returning Home

Please be patient when trying to get back to your home or business. You may not be able to return until safety hazards, such as debris and downed power lines, are cleared. If you live on a barrier island, you may need to wait until the bridges are inspected.

When returning home, it is important to carry these key items:

  • Residents – Carry a valid ID with your current address
  • Businesses – Have a valid picture ID, and documents showing proof of ownership or rental, a County or City business tax receipt, and names of individuals authorized to be given access to your business on business letterhead

Avoid driving, especially through water. Turn around, don’t drown! Roads may have debris which can puncture your tires.

Once Back Home

Once you arrive back home, walk around the outside first to survey damage. Enter your home with caution, and check for damage. Open the windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home. If your home has been flooded, have a licensed electrician complete an inspection.

The following items are other things to check inside your home:

  • If you smell gas or hear a hissing or blowing sound, open a window and leave immediately.
  • If appliances are wet, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker.
  • If water or sewage pipes are damaged, turn off the main water valve.
  • Throw out all food and other supplies that you suspect may have become contaminated or come into contact with floodwater.
  • Clean up household chemical spills. Disinfect items that may have been contaminated by raw sewage, bacteria, or chemicals. Also clean any salvageable items.

Once you have made sure your home is safe, take pictures of the damages and call your insurance agent. Keep good records of all repair and cleaning costs.