Hurricanes Milton and Helene 2024 Recovery

What to do After a Hurricane

  • Listen to local officials for updates and instructions.
  • Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media.
  • Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
  • Watch out for debris and downed power lines.
  • Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and fast-moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
  • Avoid flood water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines and may hide dangerous debris or places where the ground is washed out.
  • Do what you can to prevent further damage to your property (e.g., putting a tarp on a damaged roof), as insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storms.
  • Download the FEMA app to receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service.
  • Sign up for community alerts in your area and be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) - which requires no-sign up.
  • Visit Ready.gov/hurricanes or Ready.gov/es/huracanes (en Español) for more readiness tips.

State Recovery Resources

  • Disaster Legal Hotline is open to assist and refer callers. The number is 833-514-2940
  • Samaritan's Purse hotline: 1-833-747-1234
    • Free Assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster.
    • Volunteers may be able to assist with removal of personal property and furniture, flood cleanup, sanitizing with shockwave treatment, chainsaw work & Debris Clean-up, temporary roof tarping.
  • 2-1-1 is open and ready to receive calls
    • Individuals can call for up-to-the-minute information including school closures and sandbag distributions.
    • Local Social Services Referral.
  • Red Cross Hotline is open to assist survivors: 1-800-Red Cros (733-2767)
    • This includes financial, sheltering, reunification, and transitional support.
  • Florida Baptists Disaster Relief Public Assistance: 904-253-0502 or text Helene to 27123
    • Free Assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster.
    • Volunteers may be able to assist with Storm Debris Cleanup, Temporary Roof Tarping, Chainsaw work and Muck outs
  • For help with cleanup: Call 833-GET-HOPE
  • Crisis Cleanup number: 844-965-1386
    • Assistance is always free and may include:
      • Debris removal
      • Tree removal
      • Muck & Gut flooded home
      • Mold remediation
      • & more cleanup assistance

Reunification Portal

  • The American Red Cross has launched an online Reunification Portal for individuals looking for loved ones.

Flood Safety

Before the flood reaches your area:

  • Know if floodwaters might affect your home and property. Know your elevation above flood stage.
  • Develop a flood emergency action plan.
  • Evacuate immediately, if advised to do so. Bring important documents with you.
  • Move to a safe area before access is cut off.
  • Keep abreast of road conditions through the news media.

During the flood:

  • Avoid areas subject to flooding. Do not attempt to cross flowing water.
  • Never drive through flooded roadways. Nearly half of all people killed in floods are those who try driving through flooded areas.
  • Do not drive around barricades, they are there for your protection.
  • If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately.
  • Never try to walk through or allow children to play around flood water.

After the flood:

  • Do not visit disaster areas, your presence may hamper emergency operations.
  • Throw out food that has come into contact with the floodwater and boil drinking water before using it.
  • Stay out of buildings that remain in flood waters.
  • Do not handle live electrical equipment in wet areas.
  • If the power is out, use flashlights to examine buildings. Flammables may be inside.
  • Report broken utilities to the correct authorities.

Flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance. Do not make assumptions. Check your policy.

Report Power Outages and Weather-Related Damages

Collier
  • Report power outages by calling 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243) for FPL customers.
  • Report power outages by calling 239-656-2300 or 800-599-2356 for LCEC customers.
  • Report weather-related damages by clicking here.
Miami-Dade 
  • Report storm damage and flooding through the by clicking here.
  • Report power outages by calling 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243) for FPL customers.

Report Fraud or Price Gouging

 

FEMA will never ask you for money to provide disaster assistance. Recognize fraud:

  • FEMA employees will always have an official ID  

  • Don’t trust anyone who offers financial help & asks for money or personal info.  

  • Always talk with someone you trust.

Ways to Report Fraud to FEMA

Report Price Gouging in Florida

Anyone who suspects price gouging can report it to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by visiting MyFloridaLegal.com or calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM.

  • Office of the Attorney General Call: 1-866-966-7226

Mobile Apps

Traffic

  • Florida 511 - Get up-to-the-minute, real-time traffic conditions and incident information for the State of Florida with Florida 511.

  • Florida Highway Patrol - Florida Highway Patrol Live Traffic Crash and Road Condition Report. Reports are updated every five minutes. Incidents located within city limits also may not show on the map since it is not common practice for FHP to work incidents inside city limits.

  • Florida Traffic - Traffic incidents and conditions from Florida 511 and Florida Highway Patrol brought to you by Florida State Emergency Response Team Geographic Information Systems.

Stay Informed

Mental Health Resources

Florida residents have experienced three hurricanes in a short period. While coping with the stress, here are some resources that may help.

  • SAMHSA Distress Helpline
    • ​​​​Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 crisis counseling and support to survivors experiencing emotional distress related disasters. SAMHSA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
      • Call 800-985-5990, visit samhsa.gov or text TalkWithUs for English or Hablanso for Spanish to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Mental Health Warmline
    • Call to have a conversation with someone who can provide support during difficult times. If you're in crisis or just need someone to talk to, this resource can help. Warmlines are staffed by trained peers who have been through their own mental health struggles and know what it's like to need help. Warmlines are free and confidential. The Clear Warm Line can be reached at 800-945-1355. 4-10 p.m. ET every night of the year.
  • Other Coping Resources
    • Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, text-based mental health support and crisis intervention. Visit crisistextline.org or text HOME to 741741.
    • United Ways 211 Network partners with hundreds of organizations, businesses and government agencies to provide a multitude of resources, including mental wellness care and local health and community services. Call 2-1-1, available 24/7. Or visit 211.org.
    • American Red Cross Virtual Family Assistance Center. Call 833-492-0094.
    • Florida Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline: Call 800-962-2873.
    • National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.

State Recovery Resources

Federal Recovery Resources

What is the difference between FEMA and the SBA?
 
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters. 
 
SBA, on the other hand, is the federal government's primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses, and non-profit organizations repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory, and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - if you sustained damage or loss from Hurricanes Milton and Helene, you may be eligible for financial assistance for displacement, serious needs, temporary lodging, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured disaster-related expenses.
    • The fastest way to apply is through DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply through the FEMA mobile app or by calling FEMA helpline toll-free at 800-621-3362.
      • Application deadline for Hurricane Helene: Nov. 27, 2024
      • Application deadline for Hurricane Milton: Dec. 11, 2024
    • Be alert to Fraud: FEMA personnel working in areas impacted by the hurricanes carry official photo identification. FEMA representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications. Don't believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment.
      • If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to your local police or sheriff's department or contact Florida’s Office of the Attorney General by calling 866-9-NO-SCAM (866-966-7226) or visit myfloridalegal.com. To file a fraud complaint, go online to Scam Report (myfloridalegal.com).
  • Small Business Administration(SBA)
    • Who can apply for an SBA disaster loan? You must be in a declared disaster area and meet other eligibility criteria depending on the type of loan.
      • Businesses of all sizes
      • Homeowners
      • Renters
      • Private nonprofit organizations
    • What types of disaster loans are available?
    • How to apply?
    • Counties eligible to apply for SBA's low-interest disaster loan program following Hurricane Helene: The Florida Disaster Declaration covers Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Franklin, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Putnam, Sarasota, Suwannee, Taylor, Union and Wakulla counties which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.
      • Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizationsin the following adjacent counties areeligibletoapplyonlyforSBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) following Hurricane Helene: Bay, Broward, Calhoun, Clay, DeSoto, Flagler, Gadsden, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Liberty, Marion, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Polk, St. Johns, Sumter, Volusia in Florida; Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Echols, Grady, Lowndes, Thomas, and Ware in Georgia.
      • Application Filing Deadlines:
        • Physical Damage: November 27, 2024
        • Economic Injury: June 30, 2025
    • Hurricane Milton survivors: business owners and residents in declared disaster areas can now apply for SBA assistance. Apply online here: sba.gov/hurricane-milton
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) provides food assistance to those in need in areas affected by a disaster. This federal assistance is in addition to that provided by state and local governments. For further information, click here.
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) After a natural disaster, multiple federal and local government agencies like FEMA and SBA respond. First, register and apply for FEMA and/or SBA assistance. Also, be sure to contact all your insurance providers (e.g. homeowners, renters). Then, HUD and other organizations continue to help in your recovery. Find out more by clicking here.
  • U.S. Department of Labor provides assistance in communities affected by severe storms, floods, and other disasters.
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ensures that you continue to get your VA benefits and healthcare if you're affected by a natural disaster.
    • If you or a Veteran you know needs immediate housing assistance after a natural disaster, call the 24/7 National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838.
    • You can check if your local VA facility is open by clicking here. 
  • Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Disaster & Emergency Relief for Individuals and Businesses provides assistance with special tax law provisions may help taxpayers and businesses recover financially from the impact of a disaster, especially when the federal government declares their location to be a major disaster area.

Important Contacts 

  • For an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1
  • For non-emergency assistance, call 2-1-1
Federal and State
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): 1-800-621-3362
  • Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance Center: 1-800-659-2955
  • Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM): 1-800-342-3557. This call center runs 24/7 and can answer any Hurricane Milton or Helene-related questions in English, Spanish, and Creole.
  • Florida Emergency Information Hotline: 1-800-342-3557
  • Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
  • Emergency Housing Programs: 1-800-855-2232
  • Florida Power and Light: 1-800-468-8243
  • Lee County Electric: 1-800-599-2356
  • Attorney General's Price Gouging Hotline: 1-800-966-7226
Local County Emergency Offices
  • Miami-Dade County Emergency Management: 305-468-5400
  • Collier County Emergency Management: 239-252-3600
Tribal Resources
 
For Additional Resources and Information:

How to help

Volunteer and Donate
  • State - Serving as the emergency response arm for the Hope Florida initiative, Activate Hope pulls together the private sector, nonprofits, and government resources to help Floridians get back on their feet following a natural disaster. Activate Hope helps connect Floridians with outside resources to provide food, household goods, home repairs, and more. Fill out the form below to request help today! https://hopeflorida.com/get-help/hurricanerecovery.html
  • State - Want to help those impacted by Hurricane Milton? Remember the 3 C's and visit VolunteerFlorida.org for more info.
    • CASH is the most flexible and effective form of support
    • CONFIRM there is a legitimate need before donating or volunteering
    • CONNECT with established organizations
  • Collier County - To make sure that your donations and services are most effectively used by trusted and verified organizations, visit Disaster Ready Collier County at disasterreadycollier.org

Issues:Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery
Washington DC Office
374 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC  20515
Phone: (202) 225-4211
Fax: (202) 225-8576
Doral District Office
8669 NW 36th Street
Suite 100
Doral, FL  33166
Phone: (305) 470-8555
Fax: (305) 470-8575
Naples District Office
4715 Golden Gate Parkway
Suite 1
Naples, FL  34116
Phone: (239) 348-1620
Fax: (239) 348-3569