Get the latest Hurricane Ian disaster recovery information from FEMA. And learn how the U.S. government is responding to the hurricane with resources to help you recover from the storm. 

FEMA Video explaining Registration Intake for Disaster Survivors >>

FEMA “Help After a Disaster” brochures >>

Redcross Relief and Recovery

General Information

  • The Florida Disaster Fund and Volunteer Florida are working with the Department of Children and Families and Sunshine Health through the First Lady’s Hope Florida Initiative to open Family Resource Support Centers with one-on-one support for impacted families, including Hope Navigators and counseling resources on site for those who are struggling and need help. The first resource centers will open in Tampa and New Port Richey, but anyone who needs help can call the Hope Line at 850-300-HOPE.
  • Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to talk with someone in person for guidance or information. To find a center near you, use the DRC Locator or text DRC and your ZIP code to 43362. Example: DRC 01234. (Standard text message rates apply.)
  • The Salvation Army Florida has deployed multiple service locations in impacted areas.

Manatee County 

Please visit your county website for the most up-to-date information. 

Sarasota County 

Please visit your county website for the most up-to-date information 

Power/Electricity 

  • Xfinity – Comcast has opened Xfinity WiFi hotspots in Central, North and Southwest Florida, and the Panhandle for Xfinity customers and non-customers to stay connected during and after the storm. Details here.
  • AT&T – AT&T is waiving talk, text, and data overage charges for AT&T Postpaid & PREPAID customers with billing addresses in 828 zip codes across Florida from September 28, 2022, through October 28, 2022, to keep customers connected.
    • To assist the recovery, AT&T is now welcoming other carriers’ customers to roam on AT&T networks so they can connect, even if their carrier’s service isn’t available after the storm. Once this roaming begins, customers will automatically be connected to AT&T network.
    • At this time, only four AT&T store locations in Sarasota, Naples, Port Charlotte, and Venice are closed. All other store locations in the impacted area and around the state are open and ready to address customer needs.
  • Verizon – Verizon residential and small business customers in affected ZIP codes impacted by Hurricane Ian will have access to unlimited domestic Talk, Text & Data through October 4, 2022. Click here to see eligible zip codes. Verizon Wireless’ crisis response team will also provide free communications support to public safety agencies responding to the hurricane, setting up portable cell sites, Wi-Fi hotspots, free charging stations, and other services.

Financial Assistance 

  • Learn how you can qualify for financial assistance after a disaster to get help with food, bills, unemployment, and more. 
  • Find out if you are eligible for an SBA Disaster Loan. These low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration can help homeowners, small businesses, and non-profits recover from a declared disaster. 
  • If you have a flood insurance policy, learn how to file a flood insurance claim. You will also find information on applying for disaster assistance. 
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Ian. Individuals affected in the designated-disaster areas must file DUA applications by December 30, 2022. If you need assistance, call 1-800-385-3920.
  • Find out if you are eligible for Hurricane Ian-related tax relief from the IRS
  • Business Damage Assessment Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Ian recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of affected businesses. Results from the Business Damage Assessment Survey will be shared with various federal, state, and local agencies to implement appropriate relief.
  • Fannie Mae Reminds Homeowners, Renters, and Mortgage Servicers of Disaster Relief Options for Those Affected by Hurricane Ian. Homeowners may request mortgage assistance by contacting their mortgage servicer (the company listed on their mortgage statement) following a disaster.
  • Dislocated Worker Grant Program. National Dislocated Worker Grants are awarded for temporary employment to workers affected by major dislocations, including natural disasters. For information, visit your local CareerSource Center at www.careersourceflorida.com/your-local-team.
  • Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) – D-SNAP provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Ian and who are not receiving food assistance benefits through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP). D-SNAP will be implemented by DCF in phases and by county beginning Monday, October 10, 2022. Pre-registration is required by all applicants.

Home 

  • Home Cleanup Hotline 800-451-1954, cut fallen trees, tarping roofs, drywall, flooring, and appliance removal.
  • U-Haul International, Inc. – As families evacuate, U-Haul is offering 30 days of free storage and U-Box container usage at 43 Florida locations. Find additional information at uhaul.com/about/listed under “Top Stories.”
  • Homeowners who suffered damage to their roofs from Hurricane Ian may now be eligible for Operation Blue Roof, a federal program that provides fiber-reinforced sheeting to cover roofs until arrangements can be made for permanent repairs. 

Health and Safety 

  • Mental health – Call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. The national hotline provides free 24/7, crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Deaf and hard of hearing ASL callers can use a videophone or ASL Now. 

Disability Services 

Military and Veterans 

  • If you are a veteran or are concerned about a veteran who is in distress, contact the Veterans Crisis Line, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 988, then Press 1; text message (838255); or chat online 
  • If you receive care through the VA, you can get VA mental health services and/or engage with a mental health specialist at your local VA facility.   
  • For additional resources on coping when current events bring up past trauma, visit the VA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention’s recent VAntage Point article 
  • You can connect with other veterans at a community-based VA Vet Center.   

Immigration 

Food Assistance 

  • The Department of Children and Families is releasing food assistance benefits earlier than scheduled to Floridians that may be impacted by Hurricane Ian. This is an early release of regular benefits, not a distribution of additional funds.  
  • Free Meal Sites in Port Charlotte, Ft. Meyers, Englewood from World Central Kitchen.
  • Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida (Brevard County, Lake County, Orange County, Osceola County, Seminole County, Volusia County)
  • Feeding Tampa Bay (Citrus County, Hardee County, Hernando County, Highlands County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Pinellas County, Sumter County)
  • All Faiths Food Bank(DeSoto County, Sarasota County)
  • Harry Chapin Food Bank(Charlotte County, Collier County, Glades County, Hendry County, Lee County)
  • Food Replacement benefits are available to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance recipients who suffered food losses related to Hurricane Ian.

Transportation

  • FL511 – map routes, closures, conditions, and more.
  • Uber Technology – Private-sector partner, Uber, is offering round-trip rides to and from Southwest Florida shelter locations in Orange, Brevard, Seminole, Volusia, and Osceola counties listed at FloridaDisaster.org/PlanPrepare/Shelters. Riders can enter promotional code IANRELIEF in the app to redeem a free round-trip up to $30 each way. Rides must be requested to or from any state-approved evacuation shelter in Florida

Accommodations

  • Expedia – VISIT Florida has activated the Emergency Accommodations Portal at Expedia.com/Florida with the latest available hotel listings. Expedia reached out encouraging their partners to waive cancellation fees and to waive pet restrictions.
  • Rosen Hotels & Resorts – Rosen Hotels and Resorts is activating their Florida Residents Distressed Rates to give Floridians a safe, affordable place to ride out Hurricane Ian. Evacuees can call 866-33-ROSEN (76736) to reserve a room.
  • Search for open shelters near you by texting SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362. Example: Shelter 01234. (Standard text message rates apply).
  • Transitional Sheltering Assistance from FEMA. Register, find hotels, plan housing, and more.

Legal

  • The Florida Bar’s Hurricane Information page at floridabar.org/hurricaneinfo provides information and contacts for legal assistance and other consumer resources. The following are additional resources that Floridians can access to help protect themselves and their families before, during, and after a storm.
  • Hundreds of attorneys in Florida have signed up to volunteer through Florida Free Legal Answers, https://florida.freelegalanswers.org/, a cooperative effort between The Florida Bar and the American Bar Association. The program operates as an online advice clinic to match low-income Floridians with licensed attorneys who can answer basic legal questions relating to the storm, such as property damage, landlord issues, family law matters, and other legal issues.
  • FEMA Legal Assistance Hotline: 866-550-2929
  • The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation provides an insurance resources webpage with useful information and links including consumer alerts, links to other state agencies and hurricane claims data information. Call the insurance consumer hotline (877) 693-5236.

Pet

Childcare

  • Community Relief Camp – YMCA of Southwest Florida has opened several Community Relief Camp sites to assist parents and families in need of care for their children while school is out.
  • Hurricane Relief Club Openings – Boys and Girls Club open full-days at no additional costs.

SOCIALIZE

Please contact us if you have any questions!

SUBSCRIBE

RESOURCES

PROGRAMS & SERVICES
LOCAL RESOURCES