Emergency Information

Homeowners and renters who sustained damages or losses from hurricanes Milton or Helene can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance. If you applied to FEMA after Hurricane 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 deadline to apply for FEMA assistance for hurricanes Milton and Helene has been extended to Jan. 7, 2025.

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

FEMA assistance can help people who are self-employed, including artists, musicians and mechanics. Independent contractors are considered self-employed. To be considered for FEMA assistance, you must have had damage or losses as a result of hurricanes Milton or Helene.

FEMA can help replace tools and equipment required for self-employment, or not provided by an employer but required for employment. Eligible tools may include:

• Computers
• Equipment such as power tools, art materials, musical instruments, tractors, utility vehicles, lawnmowers and ladders
• Uniforms

You may be reimbursed for these items if they were damaged by the disaster, you do not have another working piece of equipment or item, and the loss was not covered by insurance.

An inspection is required to review the damage to essential tools/materials. If you have damage to personal property or essential tools, include this information on your FEMA application and notify the inspector of damage at the time of inspection.

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 deadline for Floridians to apply for FEMA assistance after Hurricanes Milton and Helene has been extended to Jan. 7, 2025.

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

The Disaster Recovery Center has moved to the Enoch D. Davis Center at 1111 18th Ave. S., St. Petersburg. It is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed Nov. 28-29 for Thanksgiving). Any changes to the schedule will be updated on this webpage.

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.

If your FEMA disaster assistance application was denied, FEMA may need additional information. The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) provides in-person assistance to help residents update their applications.

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.

Comfort stations are available for residents who are displaced from their homes following hurricanes Milton and Helene. These stations provide a place for residents to cool off and charge their phones. 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 St. Pete Free Clinic and partners offer free food resources across the county. View locations.

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).

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.

Deadlines:
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. The Physical Damage Disaster Loan deadline for hurricanes Helene and Milton has been extended to Jan. 7, 2025.

• 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 is offering assistance to business owners, homeowners and renters with completing disaster loan applications, answering questions and providing information about resource partners. Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) staff are 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
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Nov. 28-29 for Thanksgiving)

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

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.

Deadlines:
Hurricane Helene: Dec. 2
Hurricane Milton: Dec. 10

Complete FloridaCommerce’s survey online at floridadisaster.biz/Respond/BusinessDamageAssessmentsSurvey 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.

The Physical Damage Disaster Loan deadline for hurricanes Helene and Milton has been extended to Jan. 7, 2025.
The deadline for Economic Injury loans for hurricanes Helene and Milton is July 11, 2025.