State releases Hurricane Milton & Helene recovery update

09/17/2025

Highlights:

  • As of Sept. 15, more than 500 FEMA staff are on the ground in Florida to help survivors recover from Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
  • FEMA continues to process applications, receive and manage appeals, conduct inspections and assist applicants and local officials with questions and information about recovery programs.
  • FEMA may call Floridians who applied for disaster assistance from unknown phone numbers. It is important to answer these calls. Survivors should return any missed phone calls.
  • Survivors who applied for FEMA assistance should continue to stay in touch with the agency to update their application. Missing or outdated information could result in delays. Homeowners and renters can update their contact information online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by using the FEMA App or by phone at 800-621-3362. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages.

Appeals

Survivors who applied for FEMA assistance will receive a decision letter in the mail or via email. If survivors disagree with the decision about their eligibility, they can appeal within 60 days from the date on that letter.  If survivors have questions about their letter or how to appeal, they can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Fraud

We encourage survivors to be aware of fraud and scams and report any suspicious activity to local authorities. For more information, visit: Be Alert to Fraud After Florida Hurricanes | FEMA.gov.

Individual Assistance

As of Sept. 15, FEMA has approved a total of more than $1.6 billion to help Floridians with losses from Milton and Helene, including:

  • $847.1 million approved for Hurricane Milton
  • $828.9 million approved for Hurricane Helene

FEMA may provide financial assistance to help displaced survivors rent temporary housing.

FEMA Rental Assistance is intended to cover the monthly rent amount, which may include a security deposit, at a place other than a damaged home. The rental can be near the survivor’s job, home, school and place of worship. The assistance may include essential utilities such as gas, oil, trash, sewer, electricity, and water, but not cable or internet.

Public Assistance

FEMA has obligated over $1.7 billion in Public Assistance funds to aid Florida’s recovery from hurricanes Milton and Helene.

In just over two months from the date Hurricane Milton was presidentially declared, Public Assistance was able to obligate more than $1 billion to the state of Florida – something that has never been done before in Florida.

This rapid response highlights the partnership with the State of Florida to aid local governments’ efforts to help communities recover.

  • Milton: Category A (Debris) total obligated: $400,501,974
  • Milton: Category B (Emergency Protective Measures) total obligated: $691,475,459
  • Helene: Category A (Debris) total obligated: $188,557,312
  • Helene: Category B (Emergency Protective Measures) total obligated: $385,293,160

National Flood Insurance Program

As of Sept. 15, NFIP has paid $7.41 billion in claims to 74,010 claimants from Milton and Helene. NFIP Information is available online at https://www.floodsmart.gov/.

Additional Resources