Hurricane Debby Recovery

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance is now available to Pinellas County residents who experienced damages/losses due to Hurricane Debby. Disaster assistance may include financial help for temporary lodging, basic home repairs and other disaster-caused expenses. Eligible residents can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, using the FEMA app or by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The deadline to apply is Oct. 9, 2024.

Help is available in most languages. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time, seven days a week.

Disaster survivors with any disaster-related legal issues may reach out to the Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline to apply for free legal assistance from anywhere in the state. Call 833-514-2940 to apply for assistance.

• Businesses and residents may be eligible for Physical or Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). For more details, visit SBA.gov.
• Businesses & nonprofits: For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by Hurricane Debby. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage. The deadline for economic injury applications is May 12, 2025.
• Homeowners & renters: Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property. The deadline to apply for physical property damage is Oct. 9, 2024.

The State of Florida has launched the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program. These loans offer up to $50,000 per applicant. Apply online through the Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund. For additional questions, businesses can call (833) 832-4494 or email EmergencyBridgeLoan@commerce.fl.gov  All applications must be submitted online.

You can reuse clean sandbags, but do not throw contaminated sandbags in your trash can or dump them on the beach. You can bring used sandbags, separated from other waste, to the Solid Waste Disposal Complex. More information at: pinellas.gov/sandbags