CDBG-DR New Century Community Shelter Project, (HS020), Phase 1 - Selective Demolition

In September 2020, Hurricane Sally was responsible for dumping between 12" and 24" of rain between September 14th through September 17th in north Escambia County. Tropical force winds lead to widespread wind damage including downed power lines, trees and debris. Many residents in and around the Town of Century were without power for several days following landfall. Historically, storms that have hit northwest Florida brought hurricane force winds, spawned tornados and caused substantial wind damage and flooding. The Town of Century also experienced widespread damage to their residential neighborhoods and housing stock when an EF-3 tornado hit the Town on February 15, 2016. A survey conducted by Escambia County following the tornado identified 81 homes within the Town limits that were damaged or destroyed. Many of these homes belonged to low-to-moderate income people who lived in substandard housing and were in immediate danger during the storm. The impacts of Hurricane Sally further demonstrated the need for an effective, comprehensive long-term recovery plan that would address and meet the remaining needs of Floridians following this catastrophic event. In the wake of this natural disaster, Florida came together to recover and rebuild, but significant unmet needs remain. Recognizing this, under FR Vol. 77 No. 23 published February 3, 2022, Congress appropriated and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated a total of $113 million in funding to support long-term recovery efforts following Hurricane Sally through the Florida Department of Commerce (Commerce) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program. Escambia County received a CDBG-DR Grant to build an emergency shelter that can be used as a multi-purpose facility as well. By building an emergency shelter, the Town of Century can provide the residents with a safe and secure facility, thereby increasing resilience to disasters and reducing, or eliminating, the long-term risk of loss of life, suffering and hardship while also enhancing the protection of its citizens. Escambia County and the Town of Century will work with local non-profit youth organizations to use this facility as a way to encourage youth participation in sports.