Emergency Information

Homeowners and renters who sustained damages or losses from hurricanes Milton, Helene or Debby can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance. If you applied to FEMA after Hurricane Debby or Helene and have additional damage from Hurricane Milton, you will need to apply separately for Milton and provide the dates of your most recent damage. 

FEMA may be able to help residents with immediate serious needs, temporary lodging expenses and rental assistance. Residents can apply at DisasterAssistance.gov, using the FEMA app or at 1-800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages. If you use a video relay service, captioned telephone service, or other communication services, please provide FEMA the specific number assigned for that service. View more information.

The deadlines to apply for FEMA assistance are as follows:
Hurricane Debby: Nov. 12
Hurricane Helene: Nov. 27
Hurricane Milton: Dec. 11

See below for resource centers for in-person support with FEMA assistance and other assistance resources.

Disaster Recovery Center

The following Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) location is open through Nov. 1:

• Florida Botanical Gardens (Magnolia Room): 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo – Open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The DRC will move to the Enoch D. Davis Center at 1111 18th Ave. S., St. Petersburg, starting Nov. 2.  

DRCs serve as centralized locations where people can access various services and information related to disaster recovery, including application assistance, information and guidance on disaster assistance programs, translation and accessibility services, application status updates, access to disaster-related resources, and access to computers and phones.

When visiting a DRC, it’s a good idea to bring identification, proof of residence, insurance information, and any documentation related to your disaster-related losses to facilitate the application process and ensure you receive the appropriate assistance.

Multiagency Resource Centers

The following Multiagency Resource Centers (MARCs) are available and staffed with personnel from federal, state and regional partners to ensure that residents impacted by hurricanes Milton, Helene and Debby have access to helpful resources:

• Enoch D. Davis Center: 1111 18^th Ave. S., St. Petersburg – Open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
• Dunedin City Hall: 737 Louden Ave, Dunedin – Open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Comfort stations are available for residents without power following Hurricane Milton. These stations provide a place for residents to cool off and charge their phones. Some stations also have pre-packaged meals, water or other resources. View more information.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) food assistance for Pinellas County. Residents who may not be eligible for SNAP in normal circumstances may be eligible for help with grocery expenses through the D-SNAP program. Applications will be accepted by phone Nov. 4-8, with in-person applications being accepted during a three-day period in-county at a date to be determined. View more information.
• Feeding Tampa Bay is offering food pantries and food distribution events in Pinellas County for residents impacted by hurricanes Milton and Helene. Find food and resources.
• The Salvation Army mobile feeding units are offering meals at various locations around the County. Find a location near you.
• The St. Pete Free Clinic and partners offer free food resources across the county. View locations.
• Operation BBQ Relief is offering free individual meals in the Tampa Bay area. View updates.
• The Department of Children and Families has been approved to allow the purchase of hot foods with SNAP EBT benefits in Pinellas County to assist individuals impacted by Hurricane Milton. This allowance is available at participating retailers until Nov. 15. Recipients should check with retailers before making purchases to ensure participation. Examples of foods that may be purchased include hot deli foods, salad bars, prepared sandwiches, and fountain drinks. For more information, visit myflfamilies.com/Milton.

If you were displaced from your home by the hurricanes and need temporary shelter, visit pinellas.gov/HurricaneHousing for a list of resources to help you find short- and long-term housing options.

HOPE Florida Sheltering Assistance

FEMA has approved Non-Congregate Sheltering (NCS) assistance for Pinellas County, focusing on short-term (6-month) placement and transitioning disaster survivors into longer-term housing. Displaced survivors can apply for State NCS by visiting the Activate Hope website at hopeflorida.com and fill out the Assistance Request Form or by calling the Hope Florida support line at 833-GET-HOPE (833-438-4673).

Crisis Cleanup has activated the Hurricane Helene & Milton Cleanup Hotline: (844) 965-1386. This is for people who need help cleaning up damage from the hurricanes and connects people with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities who may be able assist with jobs such as muck-outs (cleaning up), trees, tarp and debris. All services are free, but service is not guaranteed. The Crisis Cleanup registration hotline will close Nov. 1. Registration will be available online afterward.

Please note: This hotline cannot assist with social services such as food, clothing, shelter, insurance, or questions about FEMA registration. Volunteers work free of charge and provide the tools and equipment necessary to complete the work.

Residents with roof damage from Hurricane Milton can get a FREE temporary blue tarp to prevent further damage by signing up for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA’s Operation Blue Roof program through Tuesday, Nov. 5. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractor will install the roof covering. Sign up online at BlueRoof.gov or by calling at 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258). You will need a driver’s license or other proof of residency. Learn more about Operation Blue Roof in this video.

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 Milton or Hurricane Helene and are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. Eligible Floridians are encouraged to submit a claim at FloridaJobs.org. View more information: Hurricane Milton | Hurricane Helene | Hurricane Debby

Deadlines:
Hurricane Debby: Nov. 18
Hurricane Helene: Dec. 2
Hurricane Milton: Dec. 10

If you rent your home and it was destroyed through no fault of your own, you have the right to end your rental agreement and leave the property immediately, according to Chapter 83.63 of Florida Statues. For more information about landlord-tenant legal issues related to hurricanes Milton, Helene or Debby, contact the Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline at 833-514-2940 or Bay Area Legal Services at (800) 625-2257.

Residents with legal issues caused by hurricanes Milton, Helene or Debby can contact the Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline at 833-514-2940 or Bay Area Legal Services at (800) 625-2257.

• Florida Insurance Consumer Helpline:  1-877-MY-FL-CFO (693-5236) (toll-free, available seven days a week, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
  • Out of State Callers: (850) 413-3089
  • The Florida Relay Service provides communications assistance to individuals with hearing, speech or vision disabilities and can be reached by dialing 711.
• Insurance Fraud Hotline:  1-800-378-0445

Homeowners, renters, nonprofit organizations and businesses of all sizes are eligible to apply for low-interest physical damage disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Apply at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/physical-damage-loans. For assistance, contact disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955.

• If you have lost or found a pet, visit pinellas.gov/lost-and-found.
• You can visit the Pinellas County Animal Services’ Found Center to check for your lost pet or drop off a found pet at 12450 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Found Center hours are Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can check other local animal shelters as well.

A Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Recovery Center is available at the Pinellas County Economic Development office at The EpiCenter in Clearwater. The SBA will offer assistance to business owners, homeowners and renters with completing disaster loan applications and will answer questions and provide information about resource partners. Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) staff will also be available to offer assistance with applications for critical business recovery programs.

• Location: Pinellas County Economic Development offices at The EpiCenter, 13805 58th Street N., Suite 1-200, Clearwater FL 33760.
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Appointments are not required and walk-in visits are welcome.

Complete FloridaCommerce’s survey online at https://floridajobs.org/floridadisaster.biz and select the named storm from the dropdown menu. No need to know the exact dollar value of your costs, an estimate is fine. You must fill out a damage assessment survey for each named storm.

Florida Commerce has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan, making $50 million available to Florida businesses impacted by Hurricane Milton and $15 million available to businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. Apply online at http://FloridaJobs.org/EBL

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest Physical Damage and Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Residents and businesses can visit sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance to apply, and can contact disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955 for assistance.