FEMA Daily Fact Sheet 015 – DR-4834-FL
Florida Hurricane Recovery
Oct. 30, 2024
Hurricane Helene Update and Resource
FMHA will continue to share disaster relief information with members as soon as it is made available for both Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Here is the most recent information we have. Please let us know how we can help. You can reach FMHA if you have any questions at [email protected].
Catastrophic flooding in the southern Appalachians, particularly Asheville, North Carolina, and widespread storm surge along Florida’s west coast, including Tampa Bay area has made Hurricane Helene one of the deadliest storms to hit the U.S. The death toll stands at 160 and is expected to rise, and hundreds are still unaccounted for. The estimated damage is $145-$160 billion, making Hurricane Helene one of the costliest storms in U.S. history.
Federal Major Disaster Declaration Issued for Florida
On September 29, 2024, President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Florida, making federal funds available to affected individuals in Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla counties.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
How to Apply for Assistance
Florida homeowners and renters in 17 counties who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Helene may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance.
FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss, or other disaster-caused needs. Homeowners and renters in Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla counties can apply.
If you applied to FEMA after Hurricane Debby and have additional damage from Hurricane Helene, you will need to apply separately for Helene and provide the dates of your most recent damage. Apply for either storm online at DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply using the FEMA mobile app or by calling FEMA’s helpline toll-free at 800- 621-3362. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. To view an accessible video on how to apply visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
FEMA’s disaster assistance offers new benefits that provide flexible funding directly to survivors. In addition, a simplified process and expanded eligibility allow Floridians access to a wider range of assistance and funds for serious needs.
What You’ll Need When You Apply
For the latest information about Florida’s Hurricane Helene recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4828. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.
Here is the link to Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order for Hurricane Helene:
Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Response and Recovery Efforts to Hurricane Helene (flgov.com)
Federal Major Disaster Declaration Issued for Florida
On September 29, 2024, President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Florida, making federal funds available to affected individuals in Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla counties.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
How to Apply for Assistance
Florida homeowners and renters in 17 counties who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Helene may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance.
FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss, or other disaster-caused needs. Homeowners and renters in Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla counties can apply.
If you applied to FEMA after Hurricane Debby and have additional damage from Hurricane Helene, you will need to apply separately for Helene and provide the dates of your most recent damage. Apply for either storm online at DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply using the FEMA mobile app or by calling FEMA’s helpline toll-free at 800- 621-3362. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. To view an accessible video on how to apply visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
FEMA’s disaster assistance offers new benefits that provide flexible funding directly to survivors. In addition, a simplified process and expanded eligibility allow Floridians access to a wider range of assistance and funds for serious needs.
What You’ll Need When You Apply
- A current phone number where you can be contacted.
- Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
- Your Social Security number.
- A general list of damage and losses.
- Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
- If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.
For the latest information about Florida’s Hurricane Helene recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4828. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.
Here is the link to Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order for Hurricane Helene:
Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Response and Recovery Efforts to Hurricane Helene (flgov.com)
