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Hurricane Season Information

Helpful Contacts

CALL 911 FOR ANY LIFE-THREATENING OR MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Federal Recovery Resources

The November 29, 2023 deadline to apply for FEMA disaster assistance has passed, but help is still available for Floridians who sustained loss from Hurricane Idalia.  Applicants should stay in touch with FEMA to ensure the disaster assistance process stays on track. Missing or incorrect information could result in delays in receiving assistance. Update contact information, report additional home damage or a delay in insurance claims in the following ways:

  • Call toll-free 800-621-3362, the telephone line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages.
  • Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or;
  • Download the FEMA App for mobile devices.
  • If you use a relay service such as VRS, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. 

FEMA Application Deadline has Passed but Help Still Available for Floridians
Understanding Your FEMA Letter
Appealing FEMA’s Decision
Why Was I Referred to SBA?

FL State-Level Recovery Resources

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
FLORIDA STORMS MOBILE APP
REPORT PRICE GOUGING IN FLORIDA: 1-866-966-7226

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

  • Hurricane Webpage, Facebook, Twitter
  • Sarasota County Call Center: 311 or 941-861-5000
  • Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency: 941-316-1201
  • Sarasota County Text: SRQCOUNTY to 888777
  • City of Venice Text: VENICESTRONG to 888777
  • City of North Port Text: NPSTRONG to 888777

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

  • Hurricane Webpage, Facebook, Twitter
  • For Tropical Storm Idalia information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000
  • Charlotte County Call Center: 941-743-1320
  • Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency: 941-833-4161
  • Text: CHARCOCARES to 888-777 for Hurricane Ian recovery updates

LEE COUNTY

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.