Gov DeSantis, Hurricane Helene resources as of Oct. 2
Office of Governor Ron DeSantis
October 2, 2024 - To read in full, visit: https://www.floridadisaster.org/news-media/news/202410022/
Power Outages
As of this morning, October 2, 2024, approximately, 20,112 Floridians are without power. The State of Florida has restored 2,382,773 accounts.
Donate to the Florida Disaster Fund
The Florida Disaster Fund is the state’s private fund overseen by Volunteer Florida established to provide financial assistance to our communities as they respond to and recover from times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with public, private, and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities.
To contribute to the Florida Disaster Fund, the state’s private fund overseen by Volunteer Florida, established to provide financial assistance to communities as they respond to and recover from times of emergency or disaster, visit FloridaDisasterFund.org.
State of Emergency Declaration
Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-209 on September 24, declaring a state of emergency for 61 counties. Learn more at FloridaDisaster.org/Guide.
For updates on county resources available in Florida, county by county, visit FloridaDisaster.org/Counties for a list of all 67 county emergency management contacts.
Federal Disaster Relief
Governor DeSantis announced that Florida secured approval of a major disaster declaration for Hurricane Helene from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The declaration includes Individual Assistance and Public Assistance (Categories A and B).
Individual Assistance,
assistance to residents and households,
is available for Charlotte, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties.
Public Assistance,
available for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities,
is available for Charlotte, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance.
State-Owned Roads Closures (As of 7:00 a.m., 10/02/24)
State Road closures listed below. For real-time updates, Check FL511.com.
Jackson County
Flooding on Caverns Rd Both Directions at Russell Rd. All lanes closed.
Pinellas, Sarasota, and Mantatee Counties
May have restricted access to some barrier islands for local traffic only. Please check with local agencies and law enforcement for specific details.
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA)
State Veterans' Service Officers are deployed to Disaster Recovery Centers in multiple counties to connect Veterans and their families with interrupted benefits, services and support. To contact a State Veterans' Service Officer, call (727) 319-7440 or send them an email at FDVA.VSO@FDVA.FL.GOV
Hope Navigators and volunteers from FDVA are deployed in multiple counties to lend support to relief efforts in the impacted areas. Call the HOPE FLORIDA line at (833) GET-HOPE for assistance.
Volunteer Florida partner resources:
Disaster Legal Hotline is open to assist and refer callers: 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 and Debris Clean-up, temporary roof tarping.
Red Cross Hotline is open to assist: 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 muckouts.
Crisis Cleanup number: 844-965-1386
Special Needs Shelters
Florida Department of Health’s (DOH) has three Special Needs Shelters, one shelter available in each of Columbia, Pasco, and Pinellas counties, impacted by Hurricane Helene. To find a shelter near you, please click on your county on the county emergency management page at www.floridadisaster.org/Counties.
Boil Water Notices
There are 49 active Boil Water Notices in the following counties:
Alachua (1), Charlotte (2), Citrus (3), Clay (1), Columbia (4), Dixie (1), Duval (1), Hillsborough (12), Lake (2), Lee (1), Leon (2), Levy (4), Madison (1), Manatee (1), Marion (3), Nassau (1), Pasco (1), Pinellas (1), Putnam (3), Sumter (2), and Taylor (2) counties. Areas under boil water advisories can be found here: www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/drinking-water/boil-water-notices/index.html.
HOPE LINE Assistance
The HOPE LINE is available to assist those in need of resources or other assistance after the storm. It is now available 24/7 for the next two-plus weeks at 833-GET-HOPE.
Apply for Hope Assistance
Floridians impacted by the storm who need help and resources like food, supplies, home repairs, and more can request help through Activate Hope by completing the form here: hopeflorida.com/get-help/helene.html.
School Closures
All school districts and state colleges are open as of Wednesday, October 2, 2024. For more information on school closures, visit fldoe.org/storminfo.
Florida State Parks
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) published a storm updates webpage to keep state park visitors updated of closures at FloridaStateParks.org/StormUpdates. Visitors with existing camping and cabin reservations at closed parks have been notified of their reservation status.
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
DBPR issued Emergency Order 2024-08 to streamline Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and remove barriers for impacted businesses.
FloridaCommerce Hotline
The private sector hotline, (850) 815-4925, is open daily 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Inquiries may also be emailed to ESF18@em.myflorida.com
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
This program was activated, making $15 million available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. Florida small business owners in need of assistance, including sole proprietors, are encouraged to visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL to apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. The program provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Helene. Interested applicants can apply now through November 25, 2024, or until all available funds are expended.
Business Damage Assessment Survey
This survey was activated by FloridaCommerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) in response to Hurricane Helene. Business owners can self-report physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Helene recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of impacted businesses. Businesses can complete the survey online by visiting FloridaDisaster.biz and selecting “Hurricane Helene” from the dropdown menu.
FloridaDisaster.biz
FloridaCommerce is hosting daily private sector recovery coordination calls. Briefings will be provided by Emergency Support Functions and private sector partners. For call information email esf18@em.myflorida.com.
CareerSource Florida Career Center openings are being updated on FloridaDisaster.biz.
Local Career Centers
FloridaCommerce and CareerSource Florida continues to host calls with the 21 Local Workforce Development Boards and 38 Community Action Agencies across the state to assess damage and deploy resources to help the hardest-hit areas. To find your local career center, visit careersourceflorida.com.
Free Internet Access
Spectrum announced it will help residents stay connected after Hurricane Helene by offering free, unlimited access to Spectrum WiFi access points in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. For locations, visit https://lnkd.in/ghjN6wAD.
Comcast has opened more than 52,000 public Xfinity WiFi hotspots in Florida. The free and public hotspots are open for all, including non-Xfinity customers. For more information, visit florida.comcast.com/2024/09/25/comcast-opens-52000-free-xfinity-wifi-hotspots-as-helene-approaches/.
Housing
Airbnb.org is providing free, temporary housing for people who have been displaced by Hurricane Helene in several US states. The organization has partnered with local nonprofits and 211 contact centers in Florida and North Carolina to connect people with a free place to stay. For more information , visit https://news.airbnb.com/airbnb-org-offers-temporary-housing-to-people-impacted-by-hurricane-helene/.
One-Stop Business Resources
FloridaCommerce in partnership with CareerSource Florida and the Florida Small Business Development Center Network is hosting several One-Stop Business Resource Sites across the state. Business owners and employees can get in-person assistance with recovery resources.
Friday, October 4 – Sunday, October 6, 2024, from 10am – 3pm.
Lafayette County – CareerSource North Florida, 114 NW Community Circle, Mayo
Madison County – CareerSource North Florida, 705 E. Base Street, Madison
Taylor County – CareerSource North Florida + BBTC, 3233 S Byron Butler Pkwy, Perry
Saturday, October 5 – Sunday, October 6, 2024, from 10am – 3pm
Hillsborough County, USF Connect, 3802 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa
Hernando County, Weeki Wachee Area Club, 7442 Shoal Line Blvd, Spring Hill
Pinellas County, CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas, 2312 Gulf to Bay Blvd, Clearwater
Monday, October 7 – Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 10am – 3pm.
Citrus County – Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, 915 N Suncoast Blvd, Crystal River
Dixie County – CareerSource North Central Florida, 25811 SE Hwy 19, Old Town
Levy County – CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, 109 NW 3rd Ave, Chiefland
Monday, October 7 – Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 10am – 3pm.
Manatee County – CareerSource Suncoast, 3660 N Washington Blvd, Sarasota
Pasco County – CareerSource Pasco Hernando, 4440 Grand Blvd, New Port Richey
Lyft Free and Discounted Rides
Lyft is providing access to free and discounted rides to help those affected by Hurricane Helene travel to and from designated shelters with critical resources. Rides can be accessed in the areas listed below using the code HELENERELIEF24, valid for 2 rides up to $25 each for 1,500 riders until 10/4/2024 at 11:59 p.m.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)
For fuel issues, Floridians are encouraged to visit complaints.fdacs.gov or call 1-800-HELP-FLA to report water-contaminated fuel issues to the department.
For animals in critical need, please access the QR code at https://floridafarmbureau.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Hotline-for-Livestock-and-Animal-Critical-Need.pdf to access a form, then email it to DAIOPSAssessment@FDACS.gov, or call (863) 993-5460 between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; after-hours call (386) 397-2732.
UF/IFAS is studying the agricultural losses and damages resulting from Hurricane Helene. Producers can share information about impacts experienced at your farm, ranch, or aquaculture operation at
https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5sSppcYIu6jyKnY.
Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program for Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by Hurricane Helene: Obtain an application at impahttps://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5sSppcYIu6jyKnYcted to apply for low-interest and interest-free loans. Loans can be used by eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property – including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings – or to remove vegetative debris.