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.
Clean & Sanitize Assistance
If your home was damaged but you can live in it safely after Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton, FEMA may be able to provide up to $300 in one-time financial assistance to help with cleanup. This assistance is for eligible homeowners and renters whose primary residence has verified damage and is located in a county designated for Individual Assistance.
The damage must not be covered by your insurance. If you have already cleaned up, save your receipts for any supplies, materials, or paid help.
Operation Blue Roof
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is tasked by FEMA to assist eligible homeowners with temporary roof repairs. The program provides a temporary blue covering with fiber-reinforced sheeting to help reduce further damage to property until permanent repairs can be made.
Florida Residents affected by Hurricane Milton can sign-up at www.blueroof.gov, by calling 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258), or by visiting a Right-of-Entry collection center throughout the affected areas.
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.
Certain National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders in Florida affected by Hurricane Milton now have additional time to renew their policies without a lapse in coverage. These policyholders now have until December 10, 2024 to renew their policies.
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
The City of Tampa has sites providing computer access and assistance with online FEMA applications for those without internet or needing support with the process. While FEMA representatives will not be onsite, City staff will answer general questions and aid in navigating the online forms. Sites are open Monday - Friday from 8 am - 12 pm:
- Copeland Park (11001 N 15th St)
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. You can also text "DRC" and a Zip Code to 43362.
There is still disaster assistance available if you were impacted by Hurricane Helene or Milton. Visit one of the FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) to get in-person assistance:
- Enoch Davis in St. Petersburg (1111 18th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705)
- Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library in Tampa (13619 N 22nd St, Tampa, FL 33613)
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:
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Hurricane Milton is Disaster FL-20015. Physical Damage filings are due by December 10th, 2024 and Economic Injury by July 11th, 2025.
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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.
Hillsborough
- 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
Pinellas
- EpiCenter at St. Petersburg College, 13805 58th St N, Clearwater, FL 33760, 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday
The Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County can be reached at HCFL.gov/FSBDC or call (813) 204-9267 on 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.. 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. .
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.
FEMA APPEALS PROCESS
If you receive a letter from FEMA and you disagree with FEMA’s decision about your eligibility, you can appeal the decision. FEMA might need more information to continue processing your application.
If you are initially not approved for assistance, you may appeal within 60 days of the date of the decision letter. If you have questions regarding the letter or how to appeal, you may visit a Disaster Recovery Center or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you choose to call the helpline, please understand wait times may be longer because of increased volume for multiple recent disasters. For more information, CLICK HERE.
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