Hurricane Idalia Updates

• Governor Ron Desantis Issues Updates on Invest 93L (8/26/2023)

• ICYMI: Governor Ron Desantis Issues Updates on Tropical Storm Idalia (8/27/2023)

• ICYMI: Governor Ron Desantis Issues Updates on Tropical Storm Idalia (8/28/2023)

• ICYMI: Governor Ron Desantis Issues Updates on Hurricane Idalia (8/29/2023)

• ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Hurricane Idalia  (8/30/2023 #1)

• ICYMI: Governor Ron Desantis Issues Updates on Hurricane Idalia (8/30/2023 #2)

• ICYMI: Governor Ron Desantis Issues Updates on Hurricane Idalia (8/31/2023 #1)

• ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Hurricane Idalia (8/31/2023 #2)

• ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Hurricane Idalia (8/31/2023 #3)

• ICYMI: Governor Ron Desantis Issues Updates on Hurricane Idalia (9/1/2023 #1)

• ICYMI: Governor Ron Desantis Issues Updates on Hurricane Idalia (9/1/2023 #2)

• ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Hurricane Idalia Response (9/2/2023 #1)

• ICYMI: Additional Florida Counties Eligible for FEMA Assistance (9/2/2023)

• ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Hurricane Idalia Response (9/2/2023 #2)

• ICYMI: Pinellas County Eligible for FEMA Assistance (9/3/2023)

• ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Highlights Private Sector Contributions to Hurricane Idalia Recovery in Yankeetown (9/3/2023)

• ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Hurricane Idalia Response (9/3/2023)

• ICYMI: Critical Needs Assistance (9/4/2023)

• ICYMI: Clean and Sanitize Assistance (9/5/2023)

• ICYMI: FloridaCommerce Announces Disaster Unemployment Assistance is Available for Floridians Impacted by Hurricane Idalia (9/5/2023)

• ICYMI: Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Dixie County (9/5/2023)

• ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Hurricane Idalia Response (9/5/2023)

• ICYMI: Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison Counties (9/6/2023)

• ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Requests Federal Fisheries Disaster Declaration to Support Big Bend Fishing Industry Impacted by Hurricane Idalia (9/6/2023)

• ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Hurricane Idalia Recovery (9/7/2023)

• ICYMI: How to Appeal FEMA’s Decision (9/9/2023)

• ICYMI: FloridaCommerce Announces Disaster Unemployment Assistance is Available for Floridians Impacted by Hurricane Idalia

• ICYMI: Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers Making Several Stops in Dixie County

• Florida Division of Emergency Management Announces State Sheltering Assistance for Residents Impacted by Hurricane Idalia

• ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Highlights Hurricane Idalia Recovery Resources

• ICYMI: What to Expect After You Apply for FEMA Assistance

• Governor Desantis Issues EO-23-171 (8/26/2023)
• FLHSMV Issues EO 082623 (8/26/2023)
• EO-23-171 Amendment to EO 23-171 (8/28/2023)
• Executive Order 23-175 Amendment to EO 23-171 (8/29/2023)

Unmet Needs Assistance Request

Are you a Hurricane Idalia survivor in need of assistance with food, transportation, or other services? Please call 2-1-1 to be connected with local resources.

• 4734-DR-FL Amendment 001
• DR-4734-FL Disaster Wide Public Notice
• DR-4734-FL Disaster Wide Public Notice (Spanish)

Local Governments and State Agencies

Slides

Private Nonprofits

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Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance

Individual Assistance is available to individuals and households in need of 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 Charlotte, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee & Taylor counties. Individuals can apply in multiple ways:

• Apply for disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov
• Download the FEMA mobile app
• 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 Idalia 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.

Disaster Recovery Centers

If you are in need of resources & information about recovery programs & disaster assistance you can visit one of our Disaster Recovery Centers. Centers are open 7 days a week. Please note times based on location.

• Citrus County: Crystal River Library, 8619 W Crystal St., Crystal River, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Wed, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thurs-Fri, closed Sat-Sun (closes permanently 7 p.m. Oct. 27)
• Columbia County: 180 E Duval St. Lake City, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sat, closed Sunday
• Dixie County: Dixie County Public Library, 16328 SE US-19, Cross City, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sat, closed Sunday
• Hamilton County: 1153 NW US Hwy 41, Jasper, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mon-Sat, closed Sunday
• Hernando County: Hernando Public Library Branch, 9220 Spring Hill Dr. Spring Hill, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sat, closed Sunday
• Jefferson County: Jefferson County Library, 375 S Water St., Monticello, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sat, closed Sunday
• Lafayette County: Mayo Community Center, 150 NW Community Cir., Mayo, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday
• Madison County: Career Source North Florida, 705 E Base St., Madison, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon- Sat 
• Pasco County: Fasano Regional Hurricane Shelter, 11611 Denton Ave., Hudson, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon- Sat, closes permanently 7 p.m. Oct. 28
• Taylor County: Steinhatchee Community Center, 1013 S. Riverside Dr., Steinhatchee, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sat, closed Sunday
• Suwannee County: Memorial Field, 617 Ontario Ave SW, Live Oak, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. , Mon - Sat

In-person enrollment for this program has ended. We ask that people apply for Federal Disaster Assistance, which can be done by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. Please note: Approval for FEMA assistance is not a requirement to receive Red Cross financial assistance. 

If you have questions about financial assistance or other services, 
call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to speak to a Red Cross representative

All Red Cross services, including financial assistance, are available to individuals regardless of nationality, race, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, class or political affiliation. The Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and people do not need to be American citizens to receive our help.

Red Cross financial assistance is not a loan and will never need to be repaid.

Please go to Summary Shelter Information for currently open general and special needs shelters within the State of Florida. 

For information from your county Emergency Management program regarding shelter preparedness and lists of potential shelters that may be opened, please visit Shelter Information Index and choose your county.

View Open Shelters on a map.

Special Needs Assistance

If you know or care for an individual with access or functional needs, such as a medical condition that requires assistance but not hospitalization, it is important that you pre-register with the Florida Special Needs Shelter Registry.

For more Special Needs Sheltering detailed Information here. 

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

• Email: StopFEMAfraud@Fema.dhs.gov
• Call:  1-866-223-0814
• Fax: 202-212-4926

For more information visit fema.gov/disaster-fraud

Report Price Gouging in Florida

• Call: 1-866-966-7226

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.

All Florida coastal counties and counties are susceptible to storm surge and most have designated evacuation zones. Use the mapping tool above to search by address and determine if you are in a designated evacuation zone. 

Evacuation Zones - to determine if you are in a designated evacuation zone

Evacuation Orders -  View Florida county evacuation orders

Read More About Evacuation Zones - learn more about designated evacuation zones, which counties have them and which don't, how flood zones are factored into evacuations, and evacuation orders

As you begin your clean-up efforts from Hurricane #Idalia, be sure to sort your debris in the 6 piles shown below in an effort to expedite the removal process. Remember: never place debris near other trees, structures or downed powerlines - this makes removal difficult.

For specific information related to debris removal, please contact your local county emergency management office.

Download the debris flyer here.

While living in and visiting Florida offers many benefits and advantages, it is important to keep in mind severe weather hazards and potential threats. Every family and business should have predefined emergency plans and always keep an emergency supply kit ready and stocked.

Each Florida county has a designated emergency management program, and residents, businesses, and visitors should also visit their county's emergency management for the most up-to-date and locally significant information.

• Make a Family Plan
• Make a Business Plan

• Access & Functional Needs Planning
• Sign Up for the Special Needs Registry

Every year it's important for residents to know if they live an evacuation zone, a low-lying, flood prone area, a mobile home or an unsafe structure during hurricane season. These areas and buildings are most likely to be evacuated and knowing these zones helps Floridians prepare to evacuate and better understand orders from local officials.

This year, it is also very important for residents to know their home. If an evacuation order is not issued for your area and your house is not in an evacuation zone, you may consider sheltering in place. If you shelter in place, it’s important to know your home and its ability to withstand strong winds and heavy rain.

Instructions to Know Your Zone, Know Your Home

• Click Know Your Zone Map (Please note, the Division is continuously updating and making improvements to this website. If you are prompted to log in or are unable to access the map, please try again at a later time.)
• Type in your address
• Know Your Zone - Find if your address is in one of the colored evacuation zones (these are flood zones)
• If you are in an evacuation zone, listen to evacuation orders from local officials (Typically Zone A is the most vulnerable and the most likely to evacuate first. Zone E is most likely to evacuate last)
• If an evacuation order is not issued for your area, you may consider sheltering in place. Not all evacuations zones are always ordered.  
• If you shelter in place, it’s important to Know Your Home and its ability to withstand strong winds and heavy rain

Take a look to see where your zone is at  Know Your Zone Map.

Zone Designations

Check with floridastateparks.org/StormUpdates for closings to state parks in the event of a disaster.

Florida Storms - Florida Public Radio Emergency Network Google Play  iTunes

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

Everbridge - mobile apps

Gas Buddy - Gas stations availability

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.