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Hurricane Season Information

Helpful Contacts

CALL 911 FOR ANY LIFE-THREATENING OR MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NEW DISASTER TAX RELIEF LAW

Federal Resources

FEMA: Residents impacted by Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and/or Debby can inquire about the status of their application by visiting a DRC, calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App.

SBA: The Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses and homeowners affected by Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and/or Debby. More information is available 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 now closed. The deadline for Economic Injury Applications is July 11, 2025. Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Manatee county residents impacted by Milton are eligible.
  • HELENE: The deadline for Physical Property Damage applications is now closed. The deadline for Economic Injury Applications is June 30, 2025. Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Manatee county residents impacted by Helene are eligible.
  • 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: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/recovery-center-locations

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.

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

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.

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.