Hurricanes Milton and Helene 2024 Recovery (2024)

What to do After a Hurricane

  • Listen to local officials for updates and instructions.
  • Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media.
  • Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
  • Watch out for debris and downed power lines.
  • Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and fast-moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
  • Avoid flood water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines and may hide dangerous debris or places where the ground is washed out.
  • Do what you can to prevent further damage to your property (e.g., putting a tarp on a damaged roof), as insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storms.
  • Download the FEMA appto receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service.
  • Sign up for community alertsin your area and be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) - which requires no-sign up.
  • VisitReady.gov/hurricanesorReady.gov/es/huracanes(en Español) for more readiness tips.

State Recovery 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
    • 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 Cros (733-2767)
    • This includes financial, sheltering, reunification, and transitional support.
  • 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
    • Assistance is always free and may include:
      • Debris removal
      • Tree removal
      • Muck & Gut flooded home
      • Mold remediation
      • & more cleanup assistance

Reunification Portal

  • The American Red Cross has launched an online Reunification Portal for individuals looking for loved ones.

Flood Safety

Before the flood reaches your area:

  • Know if floodwaters might affect your home and property. Know your elevation above flood stage.
  • Develop a flood emergency action plan.
  • Evacuate immediately, if advised to do so. Bring important documents with you.
  • Move to a safe area before access is cut off.
  • Keep abreast of road conditions through the news media.

During the flood:

  • Avoid areas subject to flooding. Do not attempt to cross flowing water.
  • Never drive through flooded roadways. Nearly half of all people killed in floods are those who try driving through flooded areas.
  • Do not drive around barricades, they are there for your protection.
  • If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately.
  • Never try to walk through or allow children to play around flood water.

After the flood:

  • Do not visit disaster areas, your presence may hamper emergency operations.
  • Throw out food that has come into contact with the floodwater and boil drinking water before using it.
  • Stay out of buildings that remain in flood waters.
  • Do not handle live electrical equipment in wet areas.
  • If the power is out, use flashlights to examine buildings. Flammables may be inside.
  • Report broken utilities to the correct authorities.

Flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance. Do not make assumptions. Check your policy.

Report Power Outages and Weather-Related Damages

Collier

  • Report power outages by calling 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243) for FPL customers.

  • Report power outages by calling 239-656-2300 or 800-599-2356 for LCEC customers.

  • Report weather-related damages by clicking here.

Miami-Dade

  • Report storm damage and flooding through the by clicking here.

  • Report power outages by calling 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243) for FPL customers.

Report Fraud or Price Gouging

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

Ways to Report Fraud to FEMA

  • Email:StopFEMAfraud@Fema.dhs.gov

  • Call: 1-866-720-5721

Report Price Gouging in Florida

Anyone who suspects price gouging can report it to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by visitingMyFloridaLegal.comor calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM.

  • Office of the Attorney General Call: 1-866-966-7226

Mobile Apps

Traffic

  • 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.

Stay Informed

State Recovery Resources

Federal Recovery Resources

What is the difference between FEMA and the SBA?

FEMAcoordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters.

SBA, on the other hand, is the federal government's primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses, and non-profit organizations repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory, and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)disaster assistance following Hurricane Helene (Incident Period: Sept 23, 2024 and continuing; Declaration Date: Sept 28, 2024).

    • The fastest way to apply is through DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply through the FEMA mobile app or by calling the FEMA Help.

  • Small Business Administration(SBA)
    • Who can apply for an SBA disaster loan? You must be in a declared disaster area and meet other eligibility criteria depending on the type of loan.
      • Businesses of all sizes
      • Homeowners
      • Renters
      • Private nonprofit organizations
    • Counties eligible to apply for SBA's low-interest disaster loan program following Hurricane Helene: The Florida Disaster Declaration covers Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Franklin, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Putnam, Sarasota, Suwannee, Taylor, Union and Wakulla counties which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.
      • Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizationsin the following adjacent counties areeligibletoapplyonlyforSBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) following Hurricane Helene: Bay, Broward, Calhoun, Clay, DeSoto, Flagler, Gadsden, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Liberty, Marion, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Polk, St. Johns, Sumter, Volusia in Florida; Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Echols, Grady, Lowndes, Thomas, and Ware in Georgia.
    • Application Filing Deadlines:
      • Physical Damage: November 27, 2024
      • Economic Injury: June 30, 2025
    • What types of disaster loans are available?
    • How to apply?
      • Applications for disaster loans may be submitted online using the MySBA Loan Portal at https://lending.sba.gov
      • Please contact SBA's Customer Service Center by email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or by phone at 1-800-659-2955

Important Contacts

  • For an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1
  • For non-emergency assistance, call 2-1-1

Federal and State

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): 1-800-621-3362

  • Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM): 1-800-342-3557. This call center runs 24/7 and can answer any Hurricane Milton or Helene-related questions in English, Spanish, and Creole.

  • Florida Emergency Information Hotline: 1-800-342-3557

  • Emergency Housing Programs: 1-800-855-2232

  • Florida Power and Light: 1-800-468-8243

  • Lee County Electric: 1-800-599-2356

  • Attorney General's Price Gouging Hotline: 1-800-966-7226

  • Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance Center: 1-800-659-2955

Local County Emergency Offices

  • Miami-Dade County Emergency Management: 305-468-5400

  • Collier County Emergency Management: 239-252-3600

How to help

Volunteer and Donate

  • State - Serving as the emergency response arm for the Hope Florida initiative,Activate Hopepulls 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. Fill out the form below to request help today! https://hopeflorida.com/get-help/hurricanerecovery.html
  • Collier County - To make sure that your donations and services are most effectively used by trusted and verified organizations, visit Disaster Ready Collier County at disasterreadycollier.org
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