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Hurricane Resources


Follow Rep. Castor on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest announcements on disaster resources and assistance, including new mobile casework hours to help neighbors navigate disaster assistance.

Report Storm Damage

Hillsborough County residential property owners can use the form to report property loss or damage from the storm to the County by visiting HCFL.gov/DamageAssessment. Property owners who need assistance completing the form should call (833) HC Storm or (833) 427-8676.

Residents of the City of St. Petersburg can report storm damages:

Debris Cleanup

Before you dispose of debris from your home, be sure to document your flood damage for insurance claims and disaster assistance. Need help cleaning up debris and storm waste? Call the Crisis Cleanup hotline at (844) 965-1386 to be connected with volunteers from local organizations who may be able to assist with your yard pick up. All services are free, but not guaranteed due to the overwhelming need.

  • City of St. Petersburg – Collection resumed Oct. 11

  • City of Tampa – Collection resumed Oct. 11

  • Hillsborough –Collection resumed Oct. 11

Individual Assistance

Private Insurance

If you have insurance (such as flood, homeowners, renters, auto or other types of insurance), please file a claim with your insurance provider as soon as possible. You do not have to file your claim prior to applying for FEMA disaster assistance, but you will be required to provide FEMA your insurance settlement or denial before being considered for certain types of assistance.

Individuals and business owners in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties who sustained losses – including to their homes or vehicles – can begin applying for assistance for uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs by registering at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App. Be sure to file separate claims for Helene and Milton damage.

In response to incorrect rumors about available disaster assistance, FEMA has created a webpage to track bogus rumors and scams. Visit FEMA's Hurricane Helene: Rumor Response.

Disaster Recovery Center

Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARC)

The Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARC) are open to individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits seeking assistance or needing help in completing applications after being impacted by Hurricanes Milton, Helene and/or Debby.

Hillsborough

  • Town ‘N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Dr #120, Tampa, FL 33615, 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Monday, Oct. 14, through Friday, Oct. 18. 

Pinellas

  • Enoch Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33705, 9 AM to 7 PM Daily

Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC)

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are accessible facilities and mobile offices you can visit to learn more about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs. You may also visit to ask questions about your case. DRCs are set up in convenient areas after areas after a disaster to make them easier to find. The DRC Locator helps you find the hours, services, and locations of DRCs near you.

 Hillsborough

  • David Barksdale Senior Center, 1801 N. Lincoln Ave., Tampa, FL, October 15 through October 22, 7 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Sunday

Pinellas

  • Florida Botanical Gardens, Magnolia Room, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33774, 9 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Sunday

Small Business Resources

Businesses of all sizes, Homeowners, Renters, Private nonprofit organizations can apply for a low-interest Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan.

  • Applicants may apply for assistance online via SBA’s secure website at lending.sba.gov and should apply under the following SBA declarations:

    • Hurricane Milton is Disaster FL-20015. Physical Damage filings are due by December 10th, 2024 and Economic Injury by July 11th, 2025. 

    •  Hurricane Helene is Disaster FL-20012. Physical Damage filings are due by November 27th, 2024 and Economic Injury by June 30th, 2025.

SBA Business Recovery Center

The SBA Business Recovery Center (BRC) is available to assist businesses impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Disaster recovery specialists with the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Hillsborough County will also be on-site to provide confidential, no-cost consulting to help affected businesses prepare disaster loan applications and assist with other post-disaster challenges. Florida SBDC disaster specialists will work alongside SBA business loan specialists to provide information about resources available and help businesses complete state and federal disaster loan applications.
  • Entrepreneur Collaborative Center (ECC), 2101 E. Palm Ave., Tampa, FL 33605, 8 AM to 5 PM Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 2 PM Saturday, and closed on Sunday *Parking is available across Palm Avenue

The Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County can be reached at HCFL.gov/FSBDC or call (813) 204-9267 weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM.

State of Florida Resources

  • Interested applicants can apply now through Nov. 24, 2024, or until funds are expended.
  • More information is available by calling (833) 832-4494 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Consumer Protections

Activate Hope Disaster Assistance

Serving as the emergency response arm for the Hope Florida initiative, Activate Hope pulls together the private sector, nonprofits, and government resources to help Floridians get back on their feet following a natural disaster. Activate Hope helps connect Floridians with outside resources to provide food, household goods, home repairs, and more. Individuals in need of immediate housing assistance, including FDEM temporary housing trailers, can visit: HopeFlorida.com or call 1-833-GET-HOPE.

Disaster Distress Helpline

The Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 toll-free, multilingual disaster crisis counseling for anyone experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. Call or text 1-800-985-5990. View more information here . For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, click the “ASL Now” button below or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7. FAQs for ASL NOW users .

Veterans Resources

Veterans can find help and support through the VA and other resources at DisasterAssistance.gov/information/veterans.

Emergency Food Distribution

Feeding Tampa Bay is conducting emergency food distribution throughout the Tampa Bay area. Find more information and locations at FeedingTampaBay.org/findfood.

Nutrition Assistance

Find the latest information on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service's Florida-specific disaster nutrition assistance webpage here. Additional information about USDA's disaster nutrition assistance can be found here.

Fare-Free Bus Service

The City of St. Petersburg and PSTA are offering a two-week period of fare-free bus service within St. Pete City limits now through Oct. 28. More information at psta.net.

WiFi Hotspots

Spectrum has set up WiFi Access Points for residents who need access to the internet in the City of St. Petersburg. Find locations here.