Today, Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Director Kevin Guthrie announced the multiple recovery programs available for homes and businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian.
“We have worked closely with our federal, state and local partners to ensure families and businesses have the resources they need to begin their recovery from this devastating storm,” said FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie. “People in Florida are resilient, and every state agency is with them every step of the way as they begin to rebuild their lives.”
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Individual assistance is available to individuals and households in need of financial and direct services who have necessary uninsured or underinsured expenses and serious needs. Affected individuals with insurance and residents outside of declared counties are still encouraged to apply.
Individual assistance is available in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. Individuals can apply in several ways:
- Apply for disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov
- Download the FEMA Mobile App
- Call 800-621-3362 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time
- Visit Mobile registration reception centers announced by local elected officials
- Visit Disaster Recovery Centers. A disaster recovery center in Fort Myers is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Other centers may open as needed.
- Lakes Regional Library
15290 Bass Road
Fort Myers, FL 33919
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
On Tuesday, October 4, Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $50 million available – of which at least $10 million is to go to small businesses that are agricultural producers affected by Hurricane Ian – in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. Small businesses in the hardest-hit counties — Charlotte, Collier, Lee and Sarasota — will be escalated and prioritized as they are received.
The program, administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), provides short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that suffered economic or physical damage due to Hurricane Ian. Interested candidates can apply now until December 2, 2022 or until all available funds are expended. Ways to apply:
- Visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, view loan guidelines and required documentation, and complete an application
- Call 833-832-4494Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time for program information.
US Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA yesterday added additional counties to Florida’s disaster declaration for Hurricane Ian which began on September 23. The statement is available to affected individuals and businesses in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam Counties, of Saint Johns, Sarasota, Seminole and Volusia for both Loans for physical and economic disasters.
The filing deadline for returning property damage claims is November 28, 2022. The deadline for returning economic injury claims is June 29, 2023. Ways to apply include:
- Chloe Coney Urban Enterprise Center
1907 E. Hillsborough Ave.
Tampa, Florida 33610
Open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Napoli players
701 5th Avenue South
Naples, Florida 34102
Opening Thursday, Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Open Monday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - The hub of SWFL, Inc.
25071 Chamber of Commerce Dr.
Bonita Springs, Florida 34135
Opening Wednesday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Open Sunday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Loan applications can also be downloaded from SBA.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to:
- S. Small Business Administration
Processing and disbursement center
14925 Kingsport Road
Fort Worth, Texas 76155
Crisis Cleanup Hotline
A home cleaning hotline has been opened to help survivors of Hurricane Ian. With the collaboration of more than 1,800 volunteer organizations, the Crisis Cleanup Helpline helps homes and businesses get on the road to recovery.
Crisis Cleanup may be able to help:
- fallen trees
- Removal of drywall, flooring and appliances
- Cover the roofs
- Curb Debris Removal
Households requiring assistance with damage can call 1-800-451-1954. The hotline will remain open until Friday, October 28, 2022.
Operation Blue Roof program
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been contracted by FEMA to assist eligible homeowners with temporary roof repairs. The Operation Blue Roof program began Monday, October 3 to provide temporary blue cladding with fiber-reinforced sheets to help reduce further damage to properties until permanent repairs can be made.
Operation Blue Roof is a free service for homeowners and currently operates in Charlotte, Collier, Lee and Sarasota counties. The initial registration period is set at 21 days and will end on Sunday, October 23.
Residents affected by Hurricane Ian can register at BlueRoof.us or call toll free at 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) for more information. The call center will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
