Helpful RESOURCES for post-Hurricane HELENE RECOVERY and before storms, as well
Information courtesy of U.S. Senator Rick Scott, Florida
https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/hurricane-season-resources
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on September 24, 2024 that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Florida to supplement response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Helene beginning September 23, 2024 and continuing.
For FEMA disaster recovery updates following Hurricane Helene, check HERE: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/3615
Federal Emergency Declaration
Public Assistance: State, local, tribal and territorial governments and certain private-non-profit organizations in these designated counties are eligible for assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Learn more about the Public Assistance program
HERE: https://www.fema.gov/assistance/public
FEMA is authorized to provide Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support at 75 percent federal funding for the counties of Bay, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla.
FEMA is also authorized to provide Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance for the counties of Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Escambia, Hamilton, Holmes, Marion, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Sumter, Union, Walton, and Washington.
To check on the status of disaster assistance available to individuals and families, click
HERE: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/3615/designated-areas
Disaster Recovery Centers
Disaster Recovery Centers provide disaster survivors with information from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Disaster survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates on applications.
As Disaster Recovery Centers open post-landfall, you can find the location closest to you
HERE: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/3615#block-views-block-disaster-recovery-centers-block-3
Internal Revenue Service
Find information on the most recent tax relief provisions for taxpayers affected by disaster situations in Florida HERE: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/around-the-nation-florida
See FAQs for disaster victims for information about the definition of an affected taxpayer
HERE: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/faqs-for-disaster-victims
To learn more about Internal Revenue Services (IRS) updates following Hurricane Helene, visit
HERE.: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/around-the-nation-florida
Florida Division of Emergency Management
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) has outlined all available resources for Floridians and will continue to update as resources become available. For more information, visit
HERE: https://www.floridadisaster.org/disaster-updates/storm-updates/
Volunteer Resources
Disaster Legal Hotline is open to assist and refer callers. The number is 833-514-2940
Samaritan's Purse hotline: 1-833-747-1234. Free Assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster. Volunteers may be able to assist with removal of personal property and furniture, flood cleanup, sanitizing with shockwave treatment, chainsaw work & Debris Clean-up, temporary roof tarping.
2-1-1 is open and ready to receive calls; dial 2-1-1. Individuals can call for up-to-the-minute information including school closures and sandbag distributions. Local Social Services Referral.
Red Cross Hotline is open to assist survivors: 1-800-Red Cross
Florida Baptists Disaster Relief Public Assistance: 904-253-0502 or text Helene to 27123. Free Assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster. Volunteers may be able to assist with Storm Debris Cleanup, Temporary Roof Tarping, Chainsaw work and Muck outs
Crisis Cleanup number: 844-965-1386
Activate Hope Disaster Assistance Form at https://hopeflorida.com/get-help/hurricanehelene.html. Serving as the emergency response arm for the Hope Florida initiative, Activate Hope pulls together the private sector, nonprofits, and government resources to help Floridians get back on their feet following a natural disaster. Activate Hope helps connect Floridians with outside resources to provide food, household goods, home repairs, and more.
Need Assistance?
Call the Florida State Assistance Information Line for additional resources and updated information: 1-800-342-3557. In case of an emergency, please dial 911. There are English, Spanish and Creole speakers available to answer questions.
Floridians in need of assistance with federal resources following the impacts of Hurricane Helene can contact Senator Scott’s office at: www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/casework
If you are suspicious of fraud, please report it immediately at: FraudFreeFlorida.com
Attorney General's Price Gouging Hotline: 1-866-966-7226 or visit: MyFloridaLegal.com
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services: 1-800-435-7352
Report Insurance Fraud: https://first.fldfs.com/
After a Storm
• If you were advised to evacuate, do not return home until local emergency managers say it is safe to do so.
• Be mindful of debris and down power lines.
• Do not drive or walk around outside if you do not have to.
• Use extreme caution when operating heavy machinery, generators, or while removing debris. Never use generators indoors and keep them away from windows, doors and vents.
• Stay off roads so that emergency workers are able to get through.
• Do not drive or walk through flood waters. Be aware of downed power lines, standing water and other hidden hazards.
Hurricane Preparedness Resources Websites
FloridaDisaster.org
For resources and information on creating a personalized emergency plan for your family, visit
FloridaDisaster.org
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Visit FEMA for up-to-date information, support, services and to apply for disaster assistance following a storm https://www.fema.gov/
FEMA Build a Kit: https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit
FEMA Make A Plan: https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan
FEMA Plan for Locations: https://www.ready.gov/plan-for-locations
FEMA Plan for Pets and Animals: https://www.ready.gov/pets
FEMA Evacuation: https://www.ready.gov/evacuating-yourself-and-your-family
FEMA Emergency Alerts: https://www.ready.gov/alerts
FEMA Flood Loss Avoidance Info:
https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-05/Loss_Avoidance_Fact_Sheet_Consumers_508.pdf
FEMA Hurricane Seasonal Preparedness Digital toolkit: https://www.ready.gov/hurricane-toolkit
FEMA Hurricane Information Sheet:
https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/hurricane_information-sheet.pdf
FEMA Emergency Management Agencies: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-management-agencies
FEMA Flood Mapping Portal: https://hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/wps/portal
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program: https://www.floodsmart.gov
FEMA How to prepare for a Hurricane:
https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/fema_how-to-prepare-for-hurricane.pdf
FEMA Recovering from Disaster: https://www.ready.gov/recovering-disaster
National Hurricane Center (NHC)
Visit NHC for the latest updates on tropical weather threats: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov
National Hurricane Center Marine Safety: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/marine.php
National Weather Service (NWS)
National Weather Service Hurricane Safety Tips and Resources: https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD Hurricane Assistance and Recovery: https://www.hud.gov/hurricane
HUD Disaster Resources: https://www.hud.gov/info/disasterresources
HUD Mortgage Insurance for Disaster Victims: ,https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/ins/203h-dft
HUD Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/203k
HUD Home Improvements info: https://www.hud.gov/topics/home_improvements
HUD Disaster Relief Options for FHA Homeowners:
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/nsc/qaho0121
HUD Disaster Recovery Toolkit:
https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/housing-counseling/housing-counseling-disaster-recovery-toolkit/
HUD Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program:
https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/cdbg-dr
HUD Policy Development and Research Disaster Recovery Toolkit:
https://www.huduser.gov/portal/disaster-recovery.html
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Visit SBA to learn about low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from a major disaster: https://www.sba.gov
SBA Office of Disaster Assistance: https://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/oda
SBA Disaster Loan Assistance: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
SBA Prepare for emergencies:
https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/manage-your-business/prepare-emergencies
SBA Hurricane Preparedness Checklist:
https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/SBA%20hazard%20checklist_Hurricane_V20_508as.pdf
Department of Labor (DOL)
Disaster Unemployment Assistance: https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/disaster.asp
Flood Recovery: https://www.dol.gov/general/disasterrecovery
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Disaster & Emergency Relief for Individuals and Businesses:
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/disaster-assistance-and-emergency-relief-for-individuals-and-businesses
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
FDA Food & Water Safety:
https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/food-and-water-safety-during-power-outages-and-floods
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA Natural Disasters Preparedness: https://www.epa.gov/natural-disasters/hurricanes
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO)
DEO Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program: https://deosera.force.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund/s/
DEO Catastrophic Emergency Bridge Loan Application: https://deosera.force.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund/s/
DEO Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Supplemental Documentation:
https://deosera.force.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund/s/
DEO Florida Small Business Development Centers: https://floridasbdc.org/find
Disaster Contractors Network: http://dcnonline.org
Social Media Resources
Florida State Emergency Team (FL SERT): https://x.com/FLSERT
National Hurricane Center (NHC): https://x.com/NHC_Atlantic
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) X - formerly Twitter: https://twitter.com/fema/lists
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FEMA
Ready Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/readygov (Plan ahead for emergencies.)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fema/?hl=en
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/fema
Local Emergency Management X Accounts: https://twitter.com/fema/lists/local-em
State Emergency Management X Accounts: https://twitter.com/i/lists/19611141
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Mobile Resources
FEMA mobile app: https://www.fema.gov/mobile-app
FEMA text messages: https://www.fema.gov/text-messages
FEMA mobile multimedia: https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products