Hurricane Milton
State Assistance Information Line: 1-800-342-3557
This call center runs 24/7 and can answer any Hurricane Milton or Hurricane Helene related questions in English, Spanish, and Creole.
For a map of Multi Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) visit here: arcg.is/0ff050
MARCs have representation from multiple state agencies providing information and unique resources.
Please find a live map of stationary and mobile feeding sites here: https://arcg.is/1bCXzS0
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!
Live map of locations and times: fema.gov/drc
Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are open in Milton impacted areas. You do NOT need to visit a center to apply. You can apply in three ways:
Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
Use the FEMA App
Call: 1-800-621-FEMA
These centers provide 1-on-1 assistance to residents and are a great place to receive guidance on your FEMA application. If you have questions about why your application was rejected or how to properly fill out your application, DRCs are here to help.
Any DRC is open to any resident in Individual Assistance declared counties. So if there's not one in your county, you can visit the one closest to you!
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance
Individual Assistance is available to individuals and households needing financial and direct services who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs. Impacted individuals with insurance are encouraged to apply.
Individual Assistance is available in Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia Counties & the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. Individuals can apply in multiple ways:
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Apply for disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov
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Download the FEMA mobile app
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Call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time
Florida homeowners and renters who registered for FEMA disaster assistance after Hurricane Milton should stay in touch with FEMA to ensure the disaster assistance process stays on track.
Survivors should update contact information as soon as possible because FEMA may need to reach them to perform virtual home inspections or get additional information.
FEMA encourages survivors to request direct deposits of disaster assistance to their financial institution. Survivors should let FEMA know as soon as possible of any changes to their banking information.
It’s important to note that FEMA disaster assistance checks cannot be forwarded. If you cannot access your home address, you can request the postal service to hold your mail.
This program allows residents in approved counties to receive free roof tarping if their home was damaged by Hurricane Milton.
Residents in the following counties are eligible: Brevard, Citrus, Charlotte, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Manatee, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie, Sumter and Volusia counties.
Apply at BlueRoof.gov or call 888-766-3258!
This program closes on November 5.
The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton and who are not receiving food assistance through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, D-SNAP is implemented by the Florida Department of Children and Families (Department).
D-SNAP will be implemented by the Department in phases and by county beginning Monday, October 28, 2024. Pre-registration is required by all applicants. To ensure the fastest service to households who are eligible to receive government assistance, the Department will begin the first phase by offering a phone option. In the coming weeks, the Department will host in-person D-SNAP events for residents who cannot participate by phone. The locations for in-person D-SNAP events will be announced soon.
Please view the counties and check back for ongoing D-SNAP announcements and updates. https://www.myflfamilies.com/DSNAP
The American Red Cross has launched an online Reunification Portal for individuals looking for loved ones
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Hurricane Milton / Hurricane Helene Reunification If you need assistance locating or connecting with a loved one in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia or Florida because of Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton, the Red Cross may be able to help. |
SNAP Recipients who lost food due to Hurricane Milton can apply for food replacement by completing the form below. To apply, individuals must:
- Be a current SNAP Recipient
- Complete the form by October 19th, 2024.
- Households are required to provide verification of having a power outage of 4 or more hours or damage that caused food loss to their MYACCESS Account, except for households located in Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Desoto, Flagler, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, and Volusia.
- For households in the following counties, complete the online replacement form and upload supporting verification of food loss to your MyACCESS Portal using “Other” as the document type.
- Brevard, Clay, Duval, Glades, Hendry, Indian River, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, and Sumter.
- Salvation Army
- Feeding locations: disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/MiltonServiceLocations
- Hotline: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)
- 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
- 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
- Assistance is always free and may include:
- Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) has disaster relief resources and information for Floridians in need of housing options and other housing related support. For more information click here. FHFC has also activated FloridaHousingSearch.org to assist hurricane-impacted Floridians in locating an affordable rental property. This free, statewide search platform is being constantly updated to ensure all listings are accurate. Floridians can also call 1-877-428-8844.
- Operation BBQ Relief: Call by 4 pm to pick up to 50 meals, contingent on availability:386-222-2756
- Food must be picked up from their location in Pinellas Park.
SBA Assistance
HURRICANE MILTON SURVIVORS: Business owners and residents in declared disaster areas can now apply for SBA assistance.
Apply in person or online: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/hurricane-milton
Need help with your application?
Call: (800) 659-2955
Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
Business Emergency Loan Program
Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $50 million available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Milton. Florida small business owners in need of assistance, including sole proprietors, are encouraged to visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL to apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. The program provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Milton. Interested applicants can apply now through December 4, 2024, or until all available funds are expended.
Shelters are available in areas at risk of Hurricane Milton. Shelters are open for any resident from any county.
There are shelters that can accomodate:
- Special needs
- pets
Find open shelters here.
Find specific shelter information by contacting your county emergency management, which info can be found here.
County Emergency Management Websites
County Emergency Managers
Click the link or view the map below for County EM Managers with contact information
VolunteerFlorida helps residents and organizations get connected to better assist Floridians in need.
Visit: VolunteerFlorida.org/VolunteerConnect/ to either register as a volunteer or register your volunteer organization.
Operation Barbeque Relief (OBR) needs volunteers for the Pinellas and surrounding areas. Visit their website to find out how! https://operationbbqrelief.org/
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
FEMA will never ask you for money to provide disaster assistance. Recognize fraud:
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FEMA employees will always have an official ID
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Don’t trust anyone who offers financial help & asks for money or personal info.
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Always talk with someone you trust.
Ways to Report Fraud to FEMA
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Email: StopFEMAfraud@Fema.dhs.gov
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Call: 1-866-720-5721
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Fax: 202-212-4926
For more information visit fema.gov/disaster-fraud
Report Unlicensed Contracting to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
- Unlicensed contracting becomes a felony during a state of emergency. Report unlicensed contracting by calling the DBPR Unlicensed Activity Hotline:
(866) 532-1440. - Know before making home repair decisions:
- Contact your insurance company first to verify that your insurance will cover the repairs before you find a licensed contractor or sign a contract.
- Always verify a professional’s license online at MyFloridaLicense.com, by calling (850) 487-1395, or by using the DBPR mobile app.
- *Be wary of individuals who only produce an “occupational license,” or corporate filing. An “occupational license” only means that person has paid a tax receipt to the local municipality.
- Get a written estimate from several licensed contractors to compare costs before you hire one. Make sure the estimates include the work the contractor will do, materials involved, completion date, and total cost.
- NEVER pay cash in full before the work is completed. Be cautious of writing checks made payable to individuals, especially when dealing with a company.
DBPR encourages Floridians to report unlicensed activity, by calling, 1-866-532-1440, visiting our website at myfloridalicense.com/unlicensed-activity, downloading our DBPR Mobile App or emailing ULA@myfloridalicense.com.
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.
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.
Florida Storms - Florida Public Radio Emergency Network Google Play Apple Store
Florida 511 - Get up-to-the-minute, real-time traffic conditions and incident information for the State of Florida with Florida 511.
FEMA - mobile app
Red Cross - mobile apps
Gas Buddy - Gas stations availability
Updates on business closures and business resources are consistently being updated at FloridaDisaster.biz/CurrentDisasterUpdates.
FDOT encourages drivers to download the FL511 app or visit FL511.com for road/bridge closures and potential detours that may be activated.
For more information on school closures, visit fldoe.org/storminfo.
DEP published a storm updates webpage to keep state park visitors updated of closures: FloridaStateParks.org/StormUpdates.
