Disaster Recovery

Are you in need of assistance after a disaster?

Below is a list of resources provided by the United Way Suncoast.

After any disaster, United Way Suncoast focuses on mid- and long-term recovery, but we also recognize that some community members may need immediate relief.  Our Disaster Recovery Services Resource Page provides information to those in need of help. 

In times of disaster, every United Way works diligently to organize resources and connect those in need with those who can help, coordinate volunteer efforts, bridge communication and leverage relationships to ensure our neighbors have the support they need to recover. We are currently assessing needs to help the region recover. We’re doubling down on our efforts to partner with our nonprofits and our government agencies to create solutions as several areas in our five-county footprint have experienced severe flooding, property damage and loss of homes and cars. 

Our resource centers are open this week. Our center in Sulphur Springs, 8412 N 12th St., will operate from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. North Greenwood, 1310 N MLK Jr. Drive, will reopen on Tuesday (Oct. 15) and will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. Campbell Park, located in the back of John Hopkins Middle (701 16th St. S), will be open from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and a half day Friday.

The resource centers have case workers who can help people manage their FEMA applications. Also, those who continue to be without power or the Internet can visit our resource centers to access the web and charge phones. 

If you’re in need of support, please call 211 or visit 211.com. You can find additional  information on this page. Stay connected with us on our social media platforms for the latest information.

DISASTER RELIEF RESOURCES

American Red Cross
The United States’ largest emergency response organization. Site includes a missing person’s registry and a variety of disaster preparation and response materials.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Hurricane Information Federal site includes information on preventing illnesses and infections, food safety, worker response, and other topics.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA is responsible for responding to national disasters, training first responders, and managing the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. For Hurricane Helene information and claims, go to https://www.fema.gov/disaster/current/hurricane-helene. For Hurricane Milton information and claims, go to https://www.fema.gov/disaster/current/hurricane-milton.

Firstgov.gov
The U.S. government’s official web portal. Site includes information on finding loved ones, helping survivors, and other topics.

Red Cross Emergency Preparedness
Plan and prepare.

Operation Blue Roof

Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for FEMA, the free program provides homeowners in disaster areas with fiber-reinforced sheeting to cover their damaged roofs.

Hillsborough County and the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) have established Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARC) for individuals impacted by Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Debby. They will be staffed with personnel from federal, state, regional partners, and non-profit agencies to ensure residents have access to all available resources following the storm events.

  • Town ‘N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Dr #120, Tampa, FL 33615; 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. through Oct. 18
  • Florida Strawberry Festival TECO Expo Hall, 2301 W. Oak Ave., Plant City, FL 33563; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. until further notice

The MARC is open to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits seeking assistance or needing help in completing applications after being impacted by Hurricanes Milton, Helene, or Debby.

The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open for individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits seeking assistance in completing applications after being impacted by Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Debby. FEMA representatives will be in attendance to assist.

  • Barksdale Center, 1801 N. Lincoln Ave., Tampa, FL 33607; 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. through Oct. 22

Hillsborough County opened three comfort stations. The comfort stations have showers, restrooms, washers and dryers for laundry, and a cooling tent. Hot food or boxed meals are available at lunch and dinner times. The comfort stations are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at:

  • Skyway Sports Complex & Park, 3901 George Rd., Tampa.
  • Town ‘N Country, 7501 W Hillsborough Ave., Tampa.
  • Progress Village Senior Center, 8701 Progress Blvd., Tampa.

In addition to the comfort stations, Hillsborough County, in conjunction with the National Guard, has opened points of distribution (POD) throughout the county to help residents affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. PODs are drive through relief areas where residents can pick up water, tarps for protecting homes, and meals. The sites are located strategically throughout the county. No IDs are required at the comfort stations or PODs.
PODs are open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or until supplies last. Sites will close from noon to 1 p.m., daily, to reset.

  • Elev8 Fun, Citrus Park Mall, 7902 Citrus Park Town Center Mall, Tampa
  • HCC Brandon, 10451 Nancy Watkins Dr., Tampa
  • Gibsonton Walmart, 9205 Gibsonton Dr., Gibsonton
  • 431 19th Ave. NE, Ruskin
    No IDs will be required at the PODs.

The City of Tampa has drive through Points Of Distributions Centers opened from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations:

  • Gandy Boat Ramp, 5108 W Gandy Blvd.
  • Al Lopez Park, 4810 N Himes Ave.
Transportation
  • Residents who need transportation assistance should call (833) HC STORM or (833) 427-8676 daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • HART Bus, HARTPlus, and HARTFlex will operate fare-free until October 21, 2024.

A Temporary Debris Drop-Off Site reopened on October 10, 2024 at The Resource Recovery Facility located at 350 N. Falkenburg Rd., Tampa, FL 33619. Residents and contractors can drop off yard waste, construction and demolition debris, furniture, and other household items at no charge. The site will operate 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. until further notice.
What Can Be Dropped Off

  • Yard waste
  • Construction and demolition debris
  • Furniture
  • Other storm-damaged household items
  • Appliances (must be empty)

The County announced the reopening of an additional yard waste site at the Hillsborough Heights Community Collection Center located at 6209 County Road 579, Seffner. The yard waste dropoff facility is open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. seven days a week for all Hillsborough County residents with identification. The site will be open until further notice.

The County’s five Community Collection Centers are open with extended hours to accommodate post-storm cleanup, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice. Photo ID showing residential address and printed or digital copy of current property tax bill are required. 

  • Alderman’s Ford Solid Waste Facility – 9402 County Road 39, Plant City (no yard debris or wood disposal)
  • Hillsborough Heights Solid Waste Facility – 6209 County Road 579, Seffner
  • Northwest County Solid Waste Facility – 8001 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa
  • South County Solid Waste Facility – 13000 U.S. 41, Gibsonton
  • Wimauma Solid Waste Facility – 16180 W. Lake Dr., Wimauma (no yard debris or wood disposal)

Hillsborough County has created a webpage with local, state, and national resources available to residents as they recover from Hurricane Helene. Residents can find these resources at HCFL.gov/StormRecovery. 

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army has set up Feeding Stations in several areas of the County.

  • Riverside Recovery – 4004 N Riverside Dr, Tampa; 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Friday; 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. every day
  • Plant City Fire Department – escorting the canteen through neighborhoods, 604 E Alexander St, Plant City, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Salvation Army Tampa Corps, 1100 W Sligh Ave. Tampa, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • New Life Tabernacle South Tampa 1002 S Church Ave Suite A, Tampa; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.
  • Victory Tabernacle of Seminole Heights, 1010 E Busch Blvd #102, Tampa

Pinellas County and the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) have established Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARC) for individuals impacted by Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Debby. They will be staffed with personnel from federal, state, regional partners, and non-profit agencies to ensure residents have access to all available resources following the storm events. Hours are daily from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. The locations are:

  • Enoch Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. S, St.  Petersburg
  • Dunedin City Hall, 737 Louden Ave., Dunedin; opens Oct. 17 at 1 p.m.

The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)/MARC is now open for individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits seeking assistance in completing applications after being impacted by Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Debby. FEMA representatives will be in attendance to assist.

  • Florida Botanical Gardens (Magnolia Room), 12520 Ulmerton Rd., Largo; 9 a.m – 7 p.m.

Several cooling stations are available in areas where residents remain without power following Hurricane Helene. These stations will provide a place for residents to cool off and charge their phones. View locations and hours here.

Pinellas County will document flood damages to apply for potential state and federal emergency assistance. The County needs individuals and businesses to report damages to ensure all damage is accounted for.

  • Residents are asked to report their flood damage online.
  • Businesses are asked to report damages online.
  • Both reporting tools are available on the Ready Pinellas app.
  • Please note: You will still have to report damage to your property to your insurance company for a claim should there be damage to private property.

The Florida Department of Emergency Management has opened Points of Distribution (POD) sites where residents can obtain pre-packaged meals and water. The locations are:

  • St. Pete Beach Community Center, 701 Boca Ciega Dr.; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Treasure Island Community Center, 1 Park Place, (drive-thru)
  • Redington Shores, 18200 Gulf Blvd.; 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Dunedin City Hall, 737 Louden Ave.; 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. (self-serve)

FEMA Assistance is now available for Milton throughout the state and in 18 Florida counties for Helene, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota. You can go online to  www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call (800) 621-3362. 

Assistance is available through the following programs:

  • Individual Assistance – Assistance to individuals and households
  • Public Assistance – Assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities (Categories A & B)
  • Hazard Mitigation Grant Program – Assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards

The programs provide financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. The assistance is intended to meet basic needs, supplement disaster recovery efforts, emergency work assistance, replacement of disaster-damaged facilities, and mitigation assistance. Residents who need long-term housing are encouraged to apply for individual assistance with FEMA as soon as possible.

Residents who were impacted by Hurricane Milton can apply for FEMA assistance if they have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs, according to FEMA. However, the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster.

When you apply, have the following information on hand:

  • The address of your damaged home or apartment
  • Names of people living in your household
  • A description of your disaster damages
  • Insurance information
  • Your Social Security Number
  • A telephone number where you can be reached or left a message
  • An address where you can get mail
  • If you want your disaster assistance funds sent directly to your bank, provide FEMA your bank information.

What does FEMA assistance for the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) include?  

For application help, call the FEMA Helpline, (800) 621-3362, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Case managers are also available to help with FEMA claims at our  Resource Centers.
For technical support or site errors, call the Internet Help Desk, (800) 745-0243, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

If you lost your job or had a break in your employment, self-employment, or business as a direct result of Hurricane Helene, you might be able to get benefit money from DUA. 

Those who work or live in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota,  or 14 other DUA-eligible counties, must file an application by Dec. 2, 2024. If you apply after this date, you might not get benefits unless you have a good reason for filing late.

DUA benefits are available if you were unemployed between Sept. 29, 2024 until March 29, 2025, as long as your unemployment was a direct result of Hurricane Helene. 

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is a federally funded program that helps people who lose their job as a direct result of a declared disaster. Click here to learn more.

FEMA Assistance is now available for Milton throughout the state and in 18 Florida counties for Helene, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota. You can go online to  www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call (800) 621-3362. 

Assistance is available through the following programs:

  • Individual Assistance – Assistance to individuals and households
  • Public Assistance – Assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities (Categories A & B)
  • Hazard Mitigation Grant Program – Assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards

The programs provide financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. The assistance is intended to meet basic needs, supplement disaster recovery efforts, emergency work assistance, replacement of disaster-damaged facilities, and mitigation assistance. Residents who need long-term housing are encouraged to apply for individual assistance with FEMA as soon as possible.

Residents who were impacted by Hurricane Milton can apply for FEMA assistance if they have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs, according to FEMA. However, the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster.

When you apply, have the following information on hand:

  • The address of your damaged home or apartment
  • Names of people living in your household
  • A description of your disaster damages
  • Insurance information
  • Your Social Security Number
  • A telephone number where you can be reached or left a message
  • An address where you can get mail
  • If you want your disaster assistance funds sent directly to your bank, provide FEMA your bank information.

What does FEMA assistance for the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) include?  

For application help, call the FEMA Helpline, (800) 621-3362, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Case managers are also available to help with FEMA claims at our  Resource Centers.
For technical support or site errors, call the Internet Help Desk, (800) 745-0243, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Insurance Villages

Four insurance villages are now open to assist residents with insurance claims resulting from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Locations:

  • Bradenton City Hall (Auditorium Building), 101 12th St. W, Bradenton
  • Long Center, 1501 N Belcher Rd., Clearwater
  • RP Funding Center (Sikes Hall), 701 West Lime St., Lakeland
  • Florida Strawberry Festival, 303 Berryfest Place, Plant City

Policyholders are asked to bring as much documentation as possible: driver’s license or other ID, insurance cards and policy information, pictures or documentation of losses, repair estimates and any additional information that is readily available. 

Flood Claims

If your home or business sustained damage from the hurricane due to flooding:

Additional Assistance

United Policyholders (UP) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to be a trustworthy and useful information resource, offering insurance and recovery help. Get more information at uphelp.org.

United Way Suncoast partners with a number of agencies that specialize in solving food insecurity and providing immediate relief in times of disaster. Below are links to those agencies.

Feeding Tampa Bay

Metropolitan Ministries

ECHO of Brandon

United Food Bank of Plant City

St. Pete Free Clinic

Hope Villages of America (Clearwater)

Meals On Wheels Plus of Manatee

All Faiths Food Bank

https://www.usa.gov/food-help

The Florida Department of Children and Families provided an update for the replacement of SNAP. SNAP Recipients who lost food due to Hurricane Milton can apply for food replacement by visiting
www.myflfamilies.com/milton.

The Crisis Cleanup hotline may be able to help you with tarps and removal of muck, trees and debris. All services are free, but not guaranteed due to the overwhelming need. This hotline will remain open through Friday, Oct. 25.

Call 844-965-1386 or visit crisiscleanup.org. They will connect you with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities, who work free of charge and provide the tools and equipment necessary to complete the work.

Here’s a list of resources for those seeking shelter. 

FEMA

You can apply for a FEMA hotel voucher at DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply by phone at (800) 621-3362, or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center. The phone line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you’re eligible for assistance, you can use your FEMA registration number to search for a hotel that accepts FEMA assistance at femaemergencyhotels.com. You can call the hotel to confirm availability and provide your estimated arrival time. When you arrive at the hotel, you’ll need to provide your FEMA registration number, name and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You’ll also need a valid photo ID.

Hillsborough

www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/residents/public-safety/emergency-management/shelters

Pinellas

www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/shelters.htm

Red Cross

The Red Cross is opening multiple shelters in the region. Call 800 Red-Cross and open a case.

Airbnb

Airbnb.org is working with the Florida United Methodist Conference (FLUMC) and 211 centers to provide free, temporary housing for displaced Floridians. Contact FLUMC by calling (863) 688-5563 or (800) 282-8011 or contact 211.

Travel Trailer Sheltering

Travel trailer sheltering is being made available to Floridians who have been displaced. Complete the Activate Hope disaster assistance form for help.

The stress and anxiety of a hurricane can sometimes be overwhelming.

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, call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone.