Hurricane Debby Updates
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 Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Sarasota, Suwannee and Taylor counties. 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 Debby 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.
FEMA has opened Disaster Recovery Centers to provide one-on-one help to Floridians affected by Hurricane Debby.
Columbia County
Deep Creek Community Center
180 E Duval Street
Lake City, FL 32055
Open 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday-Sunday
Manatee County
Lakewood Ranch Library
16410 Rangeland Pkwy
Bradenton, FL 34211
Open 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday-Sunday
Sarasota County
Sarasota Christian Church
2923 Ashton Rd.
Sarasota, FL 34231
Open 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1 p.m.–5 p.m. Sunday
Taylor County
Loughridge Park
1100 W. Hampton Springs Ave.
Perry, FL 32347
Open 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday-Friday
Lafayette County
Mayo Community Center
150 NW Community Circle
Mayo, FL 32066
Open 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday-Sunday
Suwannee County
Hale Park
215 Duval St. NE
Live Oak, FL 32064
Open 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday-Sunday
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!
Help is also available by phone Monday - Friday 8AM to 5PM at 850-300-HOPE (4673).
SBA’s Customer Service Representatives are available at the 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.
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Business Recovery Center (BRC) Levy County Yankeetown Town Hall Yankeetown, FL 34498 Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am to 6 pm Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm Closed: Sunday
Business Recovery Center (BRC) Sarasota County Sarasota Christian Church 2923 Ashton Rd Sarasota, FL 34231 Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm Sunday, 1 pm to 5 pm |
Business Recovery Center (BRC) Manatee County Rocky Bluff Library Ellenton, FL 34222 Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9 am to 7 pm Friday – Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm Closed: Sunday |
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 Price Gouging in Florida
- Office of the Attorney General 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.
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.
Disaster Legal Aid
833-514-2940
**Disaster survivors anywhere in the state may call to apply for free civil legal services
United Methodist
855-228-3862
**Disaster survivors in the state may call to register for disaster assistance such as debris removal, tarping, muck and gut
Crisis Clean Up
844-965-1386
**Disaster survivors in the state may call to register for assistance with debris
Florida Baptist Disaster Relief –
First Baptist Church Perry – FBDR/TSA Kitchen
Address: 102 N. Center St., Perry, FL 32347
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE NUMBER: 904-253-0502
Text Debby to 27123
Email for assistance: fldrresponse@gmail.com
Faith Responders
Referral line 850-363-6799
**Disaster survivors in the state may call to register for assistance with debris
For residents of the following counties: Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, and Wakulla
Current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who lost food due to Hurricane Debby can apply for food assistance replacement online at MyFLFamilies.com/Debby
To apply, individuals must:
- Be a current SNAP recipient
- Complete the form by August 14, 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 Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla counties.
Updates on business closures and business resources are consistently being updated at FloridaDisaster.biz/CurrentDisasterUpdates.
To find your local career center, visit Find Your Local Team or Career Center Directory.
VISIT FLORIDA has activated Emergency Accommodation Modules on Expedia and Priceline to provide real-time hotel availability and lodging resources for impacted Floridians and visitors.
FloridaCommerce has activated the private sector hotline at 850-815-4925, open daily 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Inquiries may also be emailed to ESF18@em.myflorida.com.
DBPR encourages Florida’s licensed contractors who provide post-storm construction-related services to register with its Florida Disaster Contractors Network at DCNOnline.org.
CareerSource Florida hosted a call with Local Workforce Development Boards across the state to coordinate resources and prepare teams to assist local employees and employers after the weather event. To find your local career center, visit Find Your Local Team or Career Center Directory.
Florida’s Business Damage Assessment Survey is now activated for Florida business owners to self-report physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Debby Fill out the survey >> FloridaDisaster.biz
Governor DeSantis announced the activation of the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $10 million available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Debby.
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 Debby. Interested applicants can apply now through September 30, 2024, or until all available funds are expended.
County Emergency Management Websites
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Hamilton | Hardee | Hendry | Hernando | Highlands | Hillsborough | Holmes |
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Nassau | Okaloosa | Okeechobee | Orange | Osceola |
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Palm Beach | Pasco | Pinellas | Polk | Putnam |
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Santa Rosa | Sarasota | Seminole | St. Johns | St. Lucie | Sumter | Suwannee |
County Emergency Managers
Click the link or view the map below for County EM Managers with contact information
Check with floridastateparks.org/StormUpdates for closings to state parks in the event of a disaster.
The Department of Health (DOH) is distributing information on social media platforms regarding emergency health topics, including flood water safety, special needs shelters, boil water notices, and more.
DOH and the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) sent information regarding early prescription refills permitted under Executive Order 24-156. This notice was sent to the public, health insurers, managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy chains, and health care providers.
To locate blood donation centers in Florida, visit:Floridadonates.com
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.
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.
Flooding is one of Florida's most frequent hazards. It is a coast to coast threat that can occur at any time of the year.
There are different reasons a community may flood; storm surge, river flooding, or heavy rainfall. Low-lying or poorly drained areas can also increase a community's flood risk. To protect yourself, learn what flood threats affect your community.
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Determine if there are rivers or creeks that flood frequently.
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Is your home located in a low-lying area?
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Determine your home's elevation.
Obtain or review the flood map for your area. You can get your overall flood risk at www.floodsmart.gov and enter your address. Your official FEMA flood zone map can be found online at FEMA's Map Service Center, or through your property appraiser's office.
Before the flood reaches your area:
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Know if floodwaters might affect your home and property. Know your elevation above flood stage.
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Develop a flood emergency action plan.
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Evacuate immediately, if advised to do so. Bring important documents with you.
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Move to a safe area before access is cut off.
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Keep abreast of road conditions through the news media.
During the flood:
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Avoid areas subject to flooding. Do not attempt to cross flowing water.
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Never drive through flooded roadways. Nearly half of all people killed in floods are those who try driving through flooded areas.
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Do not drive around barricades, they are there for your protection.
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If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately.
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Never try to walk through or allow children to play around flood water.
After the flood:
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Do not visit disaster areas, your presence may hamper emergency operations.
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Throw out food that has come into contact with the floodwater and boil drinking water before using it.
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Stay out of buildings that remain in flood waters.
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Do not handle live electrical equipment in wet areas.
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If the power is out, use flashlights to examine buildings. Flammables may be inside.
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Report broken utilities to the correct authorities.
Flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance. Do not make assumptions. Check your policy.
The National Flood Insurance Program, is a pre-disaster flood mitigation and insurance protection program. The National Flood Insurance Program makes federally backed flood insurance available to residents and business owners National Flood Insurance Program call 1-888-CALL-FLOOD ext. 445, TDD# 1-800-427-5593.
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
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
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?
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