Hurricane Milton Updates

Hurricane Helene Updates

Hurricane Debby For Recovery Information

Public Notices Read Here

Emergency Information For Ian

The deadline to apply for temporary sheltering through Unite Florida is Friday, February 17. Survivors are still able to apply for temporary or permanent home repairs and additional unmet needs after February 17.

Through a partnership with the State of Florida and its agencies, Unite Florida helps connect Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian to resources needed for recovery.

If you are unable to remain in your home due to damages caused by Hurricane Ian, the State of Florida may be able to assist you with temporary sheltering and temporary or permanent repairs to your home. Unmet needs, such as transportation, senior services, or household supplies, can also be fulfilled through Unite Florida at IanRecovery.FL.gov/Unite.

The information entered on IanRecovery.FL.gov/Unite is completely confidential. For those who need more assistance filling out an application, please call 1-800-892-0948.

Unmet Needs Assistance Request

Are you a Hurricane Idalia survivor in need of assistance with food, transportation, or other services? Please call 2-1-1 to be connected with local resources.

The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Ian and who are not receiving food assistance benefits through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, D-SNAP is implemented by DCF. Registration details can be found online at MyFLFamilies.com/DSNAP.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) is requiring insurers to report preliminary catastrophe claims for Hurricane Ian. To date, insurers have reported a total of $10,271,655,453 in estimated insured losses and a total of 640,496 claims. This aggregate information is compiled from claims data filed by insurers, it has not been audited or independently verified. Additional claim data and information can be found on OIR’s Hurricane Ian information page here.

Florida Housing Finance Corporation has updated its Disaster Relief webpage to provide families with information on housing resources and assistance. This webpage will continue to be updated as more information becomes available – Disaster Relief Resources and Information.

Families in need of relocation assistance can view current listings at www.FloridaHousingSearch.org.

Each SHIP office has an adopted disaster strategy that allows for assistance in the immediate aftermath of a declared disaster. Strategies may include temporary relocation and rental assistance, debris removal and short-term repairs to prevent further damage to the structure or to allow for occupancy until further repairs are made. Please contact your local office directly for more information – Local Government Information.

American Red Cross Financial Assistance

The Red Cross is providing financial assistance, based on household size, to people whose homes were confirmed to have been destroyed or sustained major structural damage from Hurricane Ian in September 2022, or Hurricane Nicole in November 2022.  

Major damage is indicated by significant structural damage to a residence that requires extensive repairs. This may include substantial failure of the roof, walls or foundation, or a water line above 18 inches in an essential living space. A residence that is destroyed is one that is a total loss or with damage so extensive that repair is not feasible.

For more information and steps to register for an appointment, please see www.redcross.org/ian

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance

Individual Assistance is available to individuals and households in need of financial and direct services who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs. Impacted individuals with insurance and residents outside of declared counties are still encouraged to apply.

Individual Assistance is available in Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties. Individuals can apply in multiple ways:

  • Apply for disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov
  • Download the FEMA mobile app
  • Call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time
  • Visit Mobile Registration Intake Centers announced by local officials
  • Visit Disaster Recovery Centers

Florida homeowners and renters who registered for FEMA disaster assistance after Hurricane Ian should stay in touch with FEMA to ensure the disaster assistance process stays on track.

Survivors should update contact information as soon as possible because FEMA may need to reach them to perform virtual home inspections or get additional information.

FEMA encourages survivors to request direct deposits of disaster assistance to their financial institution. Survivors should let FEMA know as soon as possible of any changes to their banking information.

It’s important to note that FEMA disaster assistance checks cannot be forwarded. If you cannot access your home address, you can request the postal service to hold your mail.

Hurricane Ian- Filing a Late Request for Public Assistance

Public Assistance is available to State, Territorial, Tribal, and Local governments, and certain types of private nonprofit organizations. The Division hosts Applicant Briefings for potential applicants.  Applicant Briefings provide an overview of the following:

  •  Public Assistance process
  •  eligibility requirements
  • how to submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA)
  • administrative and procurement requirements
  • Special considerations


You only need to attend one Applicant Briefing but are welcome to attend more if you choose to. Please click here to choose a time to attend a virtual briefing.
To view a recording of the briefing or download a copy of the participants’ manual please select one of the following links:

English Local Governments and State Agencies Applicant Briefing Hurricane Ian DR-4673
Participant Manual 


English PNP Applicant Briefing Hurricane Ian DR-4673
Participant Manual 


English HOW Applicant Briefing Hurricane Ian DR-4673 RPA Deadline Jan 6
Participant Manual


Español PNP Sesión informativa para solicitantes, hurácan Ian DR-4673
Participant Manual 


Español HOW Sesión informativa para solicitantes, hurácan Ian DR-4673
Participant Manual 


American Sign Language (ASL) PNP Applicant Briefing Hurricane Ian DR-4673
Participant Manual 


American Sign Language (ASL) Local Governments and State Agencies Applicant Briefing Hurricane Ian DR-4673
Participant Manual 

American Sign Language (ASL) Houses of Worship Applicant Briefing Hurricane Ian DR-4676
Participant Manual 


Public Assistance is available for declared counties and additional designations continue to be made and may be made at a later date. Please visit FEMA.gov or WebEOC info message #00263 for an updated list of declared counties.

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

On Tuesday, October 4, Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $50 million available — at least $10 million of which must go to small businesses that are agricultural producers impacted by Hurricane Ian — in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. Small businesses in the most impacted counties — Charlotte, Collier, Lee, and Sarasota — will be escalated and prioritized as they are received.

The program, administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Ian. Interested applicants can apply now through December 2, 2022, or until all available funds are expended. Ways to apply:

  • Visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, view the lending guidelines and required documentation, and complete an application
  • Call 833-832-4494, Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Time for more information on the program.

 

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The declaration is available to impacted individuals and businesses in Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, St. Johns, Sarasota, Seminole, and Volusia counties for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

The contiguous counties of Alachua, Bradford, Broward, Clay, Duval, Hernando, Indian River, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, St. Lucie, and Sumter counties are eligible for only Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 28, 2022. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 29, 2023. Ways to apply include:


Visit Business Recovery Centers (BRC):

  • Chloe Coney Urban Enterprise Center
    1907 E. Hillsborough Ave.
    Tampa, FL 33610
    Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Daily
  • The Naples Players
    701 5th Ave. South
    Naples, FL 34102
    Open Monday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.,
    Open Tuesday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • The Hub at SWFL, Inc.
    25071 Chamber of Commerce Dr.
    Bonita Springs, FL 34135
    Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Daily
  • Sanford Welcome Center
    230 E. 1st Street
    Sanford, FL 32771
    Open 9a.m. -6p.m., Daily
  • Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral
    360 Santa Barbara Blvd.
    Cape Coral, FL 33991
    Open Monday -Thursday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Promenades Mall
    3280 Tamiami Trail
    Port Charlotte, FL 33952
    Open Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Venice Community Center
    326 Nokomis Ave. South – Room E
    Venice, FL 34285
    Open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Daily
  • Loan applications can also be downloaded from SBA.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to:

S. Small Business Administration
Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road
Fort Worth, TX 76155

FDEM is accepting applications for the Hurricane Ian Debris Cleanup Program to assist with the removal of debris, including displaced and abandoned vehicles, vessels and other title property, from qualifying private and commercial properties and waterways. Homeowners and business owners can apply for debris removal assistance by visiting

IanDebrisCleanup.com

or calling

(850) 961-2002

FEMA will never ask you for money to provide disaster assistance. Recognize fraud:  

  • FEMA employees will always have an official ID  
  • Don’t trust anyone who offers financial help & asks for money or personal info.  
  • Always talk with someone you trust.

Ways to Report Fraud to FEMA

For more information visit fema.gov/disaster-fraud

Report Price Gouging in Florida

  • Call: 1-866-966-7226

As recovery from Hurricane Ian continues, the Postal Service wants to ensure customers receive mail, correspondence, packages, prescriptions, and other items. This information applies to any resident who may have been affected, but is particularly important for people residing in these areas:

  • Bokeelia (33922)
  • Captiva (33924)
  • Fort Myers Beach (33931 & 33932)
  • Pineland (33945)
  • Saint James City (33956)
  • Sanibel (33957)

The most critical step residents must take immediately is to file a Change of Address (COA) with the Postal Service, to ensure they can receive uninterrupted and accurate mail delivery service.

Here are options for residents:

Residents who will not be able to occupy their home within 30 days should submit a temporary Change of Address (COA) request with the Postal Service. Be sure to mark “Temporary” on the card/online form. A temporary change of address is designed for residents who plan on returning to their residence within six months.

Residents who are not planning to return to their current address should submit a permanent COA request. 

How to file a COA?

In person: Visit the nearest available Post Office to obtain a COA form or ask your letter carrier for one.

Online: Go to: moversguide.usps.com to file online.

Other contact information:

USPS Customer Care Center: 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777)

Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 8 AM – 8:30 PM ET and Saturday 8 AM – 6 PM ET

DISPLACED RESIDENTS WHO FILE A CHANGE OF ADDRESS SHOULD KEEP THEIR DAMAGED DWELLING ADDRESS ON FEMA ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS. CHANGING THE ADDRESS ON A FEMA ASSISTANCE APPLICATION TO A NON-DAMAGED DWELLING MAY CAUSE THE APPLICANT TO BECOME INELIGIBLE.

Boil Water Notices have been issued for areas over 3 counties following the impacts from Hurricane Ian. Department of Health continues to monitor and maintain a comprehensive statewide list of notices for residents to access online.

In coordination with private sector partners, the Division has opened free, public wi-fi access locations throughout areas impacted by Hurricane Ian.

Lumen Sites – Locations available 24 hours a day

  • Beach Baptist Church
    130 Connecticut St.
    Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
  • Captiva Fire Department Station 181
    14981 Captiva Drive
    Captiva, FL 33924
  • CenturyLink Branded Building
    4001 Palm Tree Blvd.
    Cape Coral, FL 33904
  • CenturyLink Branded Building
    10546 Tipton Dr.
    Bokeelia, FL 33922
  • CenturyLink Branded Building
    3445 Sanibel Captiva Rd.
    Sanibel, FL 33957
  • CenturyLink Branded Building
    906 Country Club Blvd.
    Cape Coral, FL 33990
  • CenturyLink Branded Building
    15361 Stringfellow Rd.
    Bokeelia, FL 33922

STARLINK Units 

  • Beach Baptist Church
    130 Connecticut St.
    Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
  • Fish Old School, LLC
    11401 Andy Rosse Lane
    Captiva, FL 33924
  • Jerry’s Foods
    1700 Periwinkle Way
    Sanibel, FL 33957
  • Lazy Flamingo 3
    16501-B Stringfellow Rd
    Bokeelia, FL 33922
  • Premier Sotheby's International Realty
    2341 Palm Ridge Road
    Sanibel, FL 33957
  • Safe Harbor Pineland
    13921 Waterfront Drive
    Bokeelia, FL 33922
  • U.S. Postal Service
    4480 Stringfellow Rd
    St. James City, FL 33956
  • Santini Marina Plaza
    7205 Estero Blvd
    Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
  • Times Square
    1035 Estero Blvd.
    Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
  • The Waterfront Restaurant & Marina
    2131 Oleander Street
    St. James City, FL 33956

The state is partnering with faith-based institutions and non-profits in impacted counties in Florida to collect toy donations, and donated toys will be delivered to the state’s Disaster Recovery Centers for distribution. Toy donations can be mailed or dropped off in-person to below locations. All donations must be new and unwrapped.  

Charlotte County

    Murdock Baptist Church 
    18375 Cochran Blvd
    Port Charlotte, FL 33948
    In person donation hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm Monday through Friday; 9:00am - 12:00pm Saturday

Lee County

   Next Level Church 
   12400 Plantation Rd
   Fort Myers, FL 33966
   In person donation hours: 9:00am - 4:00pm Monday through Friday

 

Please go to Summary Shelter Information for currently open general and special needs shelters within the State of Florida. 

For information from your county Emergency Management program regarding shelter preparedness and lists of potential shelters that may be opened, please visit Shelter Information Index and choose your county.

View Open Shelters on a map.

Special Needs Assistance

If you know or care for an individual with a disability or a special need, such as a medical condition that requires assistance but not hospitalization, it is important that you pre-register with the Florida Special Needs Shelter Registry.

For more Special Needs Sheltering detailed Information here

Check with https://floridastateparks.org/StormUpdates for closings to state parks in the event of a disaster.

Get a Family or Business Plan by visiting Get A Plan!. This tool allows you to build a downloaded plan for your family and/or business with a preparedness checklist, emergency management contacts.

All Florida coastal counties and counties are susceptible to storm surge and most have designated evacuation zones. Use the mapping tool above to search by address and determine if you are in a designated evacuation zone. 

Evacuation Zones - to determine if you are in a designated evacuation zone

Evacuation Orders -  View Florida county evacuation orders

Read More About Evacuation Zones - learn more about designated evacuation zones, which counties have them and which don't, how flood zones are factored into evacuations, and evacuation orders

Florida Storms - Florida Public Radio Emergency Network Google Play  iTunes

Florida 511 - Get up-to-the-minute, real-time traffic conditions and incident information for the State of Florida with Florida 511.

FEMA - mobile app

Red Cross - mobile apps

Everbridge - mobile apps

Gas Buddy - Gas stations availability

Florida 511 - Get up-to-the-minute, real-time traffic conditions and incident information for the State of Florida with Florida 511.

Florida Highway Patrol - Florida Highway Patrol Live Traffic Crash and Road Condition Report. Reports are updated every five minutes. Incidents located within city limits also may not show on the map since it is not common practice for FHP to work incidents inside city limits.

Florida Traffic - Traffic incidents and conditions from Florida 511 and Florida Highway Patrol brought to you by Florida State Emergency Response Team Geographic Information Systems.

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