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Hurricane Season Information

Helpful Contacts

CALL 911 FOR ANY LIFE-THREATENING OR MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Displaced by Hurricanes Milton or Helene? Sign up to receive housing assistance here.

Federal Resources

FEMA: Residents impacted by Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and/or Debby can apply for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App.

  • MILTON: After urging from Congressman Steube and the Florida delegation, the White House approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Florida following Hurricane Milton. Residents of Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee Counties who were impacted by Milton are eligible to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance. The deadline to apply is December 11, 2024.
  • HELENE: Residents of Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee counties who were impacted by Helene are eligible to Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance. The deadline to apply is November 27, 2024.
  • DEBBY: Residents of Sarasota and Manatee counties who were impacted by Hurricane Debby are eligible to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance.  The deadline for Floridians to apply for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Debby is now closed.
  • I Applied for Assistance. What’s Next?
  • Understanding Your FEMA Letter  
  • Appealing FEMA’s Decision
  • Why Was I Referred to SBA?
  • PLEASE NOTE: If applicants have been affected by multiple hurricanes this season, it’s crucial that you apply for assistance under each incident separately. Each hurricane will qualify you for different funding, and you could receive additional support due to having damages from multiple storms. Applicants must clearly list the dates associated with each storm when submitting their claims.
  • FEMA DRC’S: Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) for one-on-one help from FEMA representatives.
    • 1) Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.  (We apologize for any inconvenience, this DRC will be Temporarily Closed
      from 11/12/2024 at 12:00 PM until 11/13/2024 at 1:00 PM.)
    • 2) Tringali Park Community Center, 3460 N. Access Road in Englewood. Hours are 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. (Opening 10/31)
    • 3) AG Extension, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221, Manatee County. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. 
  • DEBRIS CLEANUP FOR PRIVATELY-OWNED COMMUNITIES: Commercial properties are generally ineligible for debris removal under the FEMA Public Assistance program. Commercial properties may be able to work through their insurance company or SBA to file a claim for storm debris removal. My bill, the Clean Up DEBRIS Act, would fix this problem by making our condos, HOA’s, mobile home parks, and other private communities eligible after major hurricanes for the same FEMA debris assistance as other homeowners.

SBA: The Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses and homeowners affected by Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and/or Debby. Apply online at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance or by calling 1-800-659-2955. If you are approved for a loan, you are not obligated to accept it. Funds you get from SBA must be repaid over time.

  • MILTON: The deadline for Physical Property Damage applications is December 10, 2024.The deadline for Economic Injury Applications is July 11, 2025. Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Manatee county residents impacted by Milton are eligible for both.
  • HELENE: The deadline for Physical Property Damage applications is November 27, 2024. The deadline for Economic Injury Applications is June 30, 2025. Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Manatee county residents impacted by Helene are eligible for both.
  • DEBBY: The deadline for Physical Property Damage applications is now closed. Manatee and Sarasota residents impacted by Debby are eligible for Physical Property Damage. The deadline for Economic Injury Applications is May 12, 2025. Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte residents impacted by Debby are eligible for Economic Injury.
  • How to Apply for an SBA Disaster Loan
  • Customer Service Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
  • SBA BRC’s: Visit a Business Recovery Center (BRC) for one-on-one help from SBA representatives: BRC representatives are available at the FEMA DRC locations:
    • 1) Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.  (We apologize for any inconvenience, this location will be Temporarily Closed
      from 11/12/2024 at 12:00 PM until 11/13/2024 at 1:00 PM.)
    • 2) AG Extension, 1303 17th St W, PALMETTO, FL 34221, Manatee County. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. 
    • 3) Tringali Park Community Center, 3460 N. Access Road in Englewood. Hours are 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. (Opening 10/31)
    • 4) Rocky Bluff Branch Library, 6750 US-301, Ellenton, FL 34222, Manatee County. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday (Closed Sunday).

IRS: IRS provides Hurricane Milton relief; May 1 deadline now applies to individuals and businesses in all of Florida; many businesses qualify for deposit penalty relief. Affected taxpayers in all of Florida now have until May 1, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, including 2024 individual and business returns normally due during March and April 2025 and 2023 individual and corporate returns with valid extensions and quarterly estimated tax payments. The IRS automatically provides filing and penalty relief to any taxpayer with an IRS address of record located in the disaster area. These taxpayers do not need to contact the agency to get this relief.  The IRS Disaster Hotline is 866-562-5227.

FHA: The Section 203(h) program allows the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to insure mortgages made by qualified lenders to victims of a major disaster who have lost their homes and are in the process of rebuilding or buying another home. The program offers FHA insurance to disaster victims, allowing them to purchase or rebuild a home with 100% financing, including closing costs, through participating FHA approved lenders. Click here for more information on the program, and consult with your lender to explore this option. Click here to read about disaster assistance offered for Floridians by HUD and the FHA in the wake of Milton.

ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS: Operation Blue Roof applications are now closed.

FL County-Level Recovery Resources

For updated information on rescue services, wellness checks, volunteering, or how to donate, find fuel, debris removal & drop-offs, food & water sites, shelters, school & road closures, and other recovery services and news, please utilize your individual county’s resources below:

SARASOTA COUNTY

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

  • Hurricane Updates, Hurricane Preparedness Webpage, Facebook, Twitter
  • Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center 941-833-4000
  • Charlotte County Call Center: 941-743-1320
  • Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency: 941-833-4161
  • Text: CHARCOCARES to 888-777
    • Multi-Agency Resource Center: Port Charlotte Town Center Mall, 1441 Tamiami Trail, across the FYE store, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Charlotte County Transit Services is offering free rides to and from the MARC. To schedule a ride, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000. 

LEE COUNTY

FL State-Level Recovery Resources

HOPE FLORIDA: Floridians who need resources like temporary housing, food, supplies, home repairs, and more can request help through Hope Florida by completing the form here.

INSURANCE INFORMATION: If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance. Flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance. Do not make assumptions. Check your policy. If you are having issues with your insurance company, submit an insurance complaint to Consumer Services using this form.

The Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Consumer Services is hosting insurance villages in critical locations around the state impacted by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. The villages will serve as an opportunity for policyholders to meet with their insurance carriers in person and work together to file insurance claims. View locations and hours here.

ALERTFLORIDA – Sign Up to Receive Emergency Alerts in Your Community
STATE ASSISTANCE INFORMATION LINE: 1-800-342-3557
FLORIDADISASTER.ORG DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
SCHOOL CLOSURES
POWER OUTAGE TRACKERS: FPL,Peace River Electric,LCEC
FLORIDA511 TRAFFIC AND TRAVEL APP
FLORIDA511 TRACK ROAD CLOSURES
FLORIDA STORMS MOBILE APP
REPORT PRICE GOUGING IN FLORIDA: 1-866-966-7226
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
FLORIDA SBDC Assistance Centers
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)

How to Prepare for the Next Disaster

It is important to start preparing for the potential impacts of the storm now instead of waiting until a storm is already in our area. Below you will find resources and preparedness tips. Our office is always here to help, but please ensure you are closely monitoring local news during storms for the latest updates. 

  • Make sure you have all of the items on your disaster preparedness list.
    • This includes items like additional supplies of medications, food, and bottled water.
  • Especially for those in coastal areas, make sure you know your evacuation zones, routes, and maps should you need to leave the area.
  • Make a pet plan so you don’t have to leave your pets and animals behind.
  • Have a place to go should you need to evacuate. Make sure any vehicles are filled up with gas beforehand.
  • Flood Smart: Visit FloodSmart.gov for information on flood maps, preparing for future floods, and NFIP’s Insurance Provider Locator.

My office stands ready to assist you with any federal disaster recovery issue. If you can’t get an answer from a federal agency in a timely fashion, or if you feel you have been mistreated, our office may be able to help resolve a problem or get you the information you need. Please do not hesitate to call my office at 941-499-3214 or send me an email.