Resources available for Floridians recovering from hurricanes

10/31/2024

Local, state, federal and voluntary agencies are helping Floridians affected by Hurricanes Milton, Helene and Debby. In many cases, one or more resources may be able to fill in gaps for disaster survivors.

  • State Assistance Information Line: This call center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can answer questions on Hurricanes Milton or Helene in English, Spanish and Creole. Call 800-342-3557.
  • Multi Agency Resource Centers (MARCs): MARCs have representation from multiple agencies providing information and support.  To find the location of MARCs, visit arcg.is/0ff050.
  • Hope Florida: Activate Hope helps connect Floridians with resources for food, household goods, home repairs and more. Visit, hopeflorida.com/get-help/hurricanemilton.html.
  • 2-1-1: Call 2-1-1 for local service referrals.
  • Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP): D-SNAP provides food assistance to low-income households with food loss or damage caused by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. For more information on D-SNAP visit, Florida Disaster Nutrition Assistance | Food and Nutrition Service or Florida Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) | Florida DCF. Survivors can also call 888-348-0408 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
  • Operation Blue Roof: This program allows residents in Brevard, Citrus, Charlotte, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Manatee, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie, Sumter and Volusia counties to receive fiber-reinforced sheeting to cover their damaged roof until arrangements can be made for permanent repairs. Residents can apply until Nov. 14 at BlueRoof.gov or call 888-766-3258.
  • Salvation Army: Salvation Army mobile feeding units and disaster workers are providing food, drinks, emergency supplies and support to survivors. For more information and locations visit, disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/MiltonServiceLocations or call 800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)
  • American Red Cross: To find an open shelter visit, redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html or call 800-Red Cros (733-2767).
  • Disaster Legal Services (DLS): DLS is offering free legal assistance to Florida residents affected by Hurricanes, Milton, Helene and Debby who are not able to afford an attorney for their disaster-related needs. Survivors can call 833-514-2940.
  • Samaritan’s Purse: Samaritan’s Purse is providing free assistance for homeowners affected by the Florida hurricanes. Volunteers may be able to assist with removal of personal property and furniture, flood cleanup, sanitizing with shockwave treatment, chainsaw work, debris cleanup and temporary roof tarping. Call 833-747-1234.
  • Florida Baptist Disaster Relief Public Assistance: Volunteers may be able to assist with storm debris cleanup and temporary roof tarping. Call 904-253-0502 or text Helene to 27123.
  • Crisis Cleanup: Assistance is free and may include debris removal, tree removal, mucking and gutting a flooded home, mold remediation and more cleanup assistance. Call 844-965-1386.
  • Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC): FHFC has disaster relief resources and information for Floridians in need of housing options and other housing related support, visit floridahousing.org/home.
  • Office of Insurance Regulation has issued and Emergency Order to protect policyholders impacted by Hurricane Milton. For more information on the Emergency Order, visit floir.com.
  • Division of Consumer Services: Floridians seeking assistance with insurance related questions can contact the Division of Consumer Services. Visit, myfloridacfo.com/division/consumers.

Homeowners and renters are encouraged to apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by using the FEMA App. You may also apply by phone at 800-621-3362. If you choose to apply by phone, please understand wait times may be longer because of increased volume for multiple recent disasters. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for Individual Assistance – YouTube.

If you applied to FEMA after Hurricanes Debby and Helene and have additional damage from Hurricane Milton, you will need to apply separately for Milton and provide the dates of your most recent damage.

For the latest information about Hurricane Milton recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4834. For Hurricane Helene recovery information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4828. For Hurricane Debby recovery information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4806. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.