Hurricane Helene

ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on State Preparedness Efforts Ahead of Helene 9/24/24

ICYMI:Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on State Preparedness Efforts Ahead of Hurricane Helene 9/25/24

ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Preparedness Efforts Ahead of Hurricane Helene (9/26/24)

ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Response Efforts to Hurricane Helene (9/27/24) 1

ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Response and Recovery Efforts to Hurricane Helene (9/27/24) 2

ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Response and Recovery Efforts to Hurricane Helene (9/28/24) 1

ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Response and Recovery Efforts to Hurricane Helene (9/28/24) 2

Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Response and Recovery Efforts to Hurricane Helene (9/29/24) 1

ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Response and Recovery Efforts to Hurricane Helene (9/29/24) 2

ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Response and Recovery Efforts to Hurricane Helene (9/30/24) 1

ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Response and Recovery Efforts to Hurricane Helene (9/30/24) 2

ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Response and Recovery Efforts to Hurricane Helene (10/01/2024) 1

ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Response and Recovery Efforts to Hurricane Helene (10/01/2024) 2

ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Response and Recovery Efforts to Hurricane Helene (10/02/2024) (1)

ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Response and Recovery Efforts to Hurricane Helene (10/02/2024) 2

Executive Order 24-208

Executive Order 24-209

For a map of Points of Distribution Sites visit here: https://floridadisaster.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c509b049f8b442bb83c0a1872771a455&extent=-9959657.8498%2C2759851.6351%2C-8649832.9331%2C3703390.3123%2C102100

These sites have food, water, tarps, and more resources as availble for residents in need. 

Disaster Recovery Centers can help Floridians with recovery from both Hurricane Debby and Hurricane Helene. For other Disaster Recovery Center locations, go online to fema.gov/drc.

-- Disaster Recovery Centers are operating in impacted counties to provide one-on-one help to Floridians affected by Hurricane Helene.

Center locations: Live Map

Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs)

These centers have multiple state agencies present to provide information and resources for residents in need. Centers are open from 9 AM to 6 PM daily. 

Charlotte County

Hours of operation:

10 am - 6 pm, Mon - Sat

11 am - 6 pm Sun

Dixie County 

Hamilton County 

Leon County

Pasco County 

Taylor County

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 here!

You can also call 1-833-GET-HOPE to be put in contact with Hope Navigators to assist you. 

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, Gulf, Franklin, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla 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 Helene 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 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)
• 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

FloridaCommerce announced that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Helene and are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. Eligible Floridians whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Helene are encouraged to submit a claim at FloridaJobs.org.

FloridaCommerce is accepting applications for DUA from residents and businesses in Charlotte, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwanee, Taylor, and Wakulla Counties.

SBA’s Customer Service Representatives are available at these Business Recovery Centers to answer questions, assist business owners complete their disaster loan application, accept documents, and provide updates on an application’s status. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment at an SBA Business Recovery Center in advance. The Centers will operate as listed below.

Disaster loans are now available for businesses and residents in declared disaster areas to help communities recover and rebuild.  

Apply online or in-person: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/hurricane-helene

For more help:  Call: 800‐659‐2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

DBPR encourages Florida’s licensed contractors who provide post-storm construction-related services to register with its Florida Disaster Contractors Network at DCNOnline.org.

FloridaCommerce has activated the private sector hotline at (850) 815-4925

FloridaCommerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Helene. Business owners can self-report physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Helene recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of impacted businesses. Businesses can complete the survey online by visiting FloridaDisaster.biz and selecting “Hurricane Helene” from the dropdown menu. 

FloridaCommerce announced that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Helene and are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. Eligible Floridians whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Helene are encouraged to submit a claim at FloridaJobs.org.

FloridaCommerce is accepting applications for DUA from residents and businesses in Charlotte, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwanee, Taylor, and Wakulla Counties.

SNAP Recipients who lost food due to Hurricane Helene can apply for food replacement by completing the form below. To apply, individuals must:

• Be a current SNAP Recipient.
• Complete the form by October 6th, 2024.
• Households are required to provide verification of having a power outage of 4 or more hours to their MYACCESS Account, except for households located in Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Nassau, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, and Wakulla.

Apply Here

Residents in need of information can call: 1-800-342-3557 for resources before and after Helene.

There are English, Spanish and Creole speakers available to answer questions. 

County Emergency Management Websites

County Emergency Managers

Click the link or view the map below for County EM Managers with contact information

• County EM Managers with Contacts Map (pdf)

If you need temporary travel trailer sheltering please fill out the Activate Hope disaster assistance form here.

Airbnb.org is providing free, temporary housing for people who have been displaced by Hurricane Helene in several US states.

The organization has partnered with local nonprofits and 211 contact centers in Florida and North Carolina to connect people with a free place to stay.

Florida: Florida residents displaced by the hurricane should contact FLUMC by calling (863) 688-5563 or (800) 282-8011 (toll-free) or by contacting their local 211, which they can find at 211.org.

Shelters are available in areas at risk of Hurricane Helene. 

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. 

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

For a map of public Xfinity WiFi hotspots, which are located both indoors and outdoors in places such as shopping districts, parks, and businesses, visit Finder.wifi.xfinity.com.

To find the nearest hotspot location in your city, please search the WiFi Hotspot Map. Enter your zip code, zoom in on the interactive map to view the results, and click on the locations for details.

To help residents and emergency personnel stay connected ahead of Helene, Comcast has opened 52,296 public Xfinity WiFi hotspots in areas it serves across Florida in Hurricane Helene’s potential path. The free and public hotspots are open for anyone to use, including non-Xfinity customers.

The Xfinity WiFi hotspot network is now open for all in the following counties:

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.

How To Fill A Sandbag:

Fill sandbags 1/2 to 2/3 full, tie at top so bag will lay flat when put in place. A properly filled sand bag should weigh between 35-40 lbs.

Overfilled bags and bags tied too low leave gaps in sandbag levee allowing water to seep through. An overfilled sandbag can weigh 70 - 75 lbs.

TIP: Always use gloves to protect your hands during the filling operation. After handling treated bags, avoid contact with your eyes and mouth. Dress appropriately and layer clothing. Safety goggles should be used on dry and windy days.

Overfilled bags and bags tied too low leave gaps in sandbag levee allowing water to seep through. An overfilled sandbag can weigh 70–75 lbs.

How To Place Sandbags:

Sandbags should be placed flat on ground, overlapped, tamped into place, and stair stepped.

How Many Bags Do You Need?

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