Hurricane Recovery
HURRICANE MILTON FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL RECOVERY AND RELIEF RESOURCES
| 10/12 10:00AM - INDIVIDUALIZED DISASTER ASSISTANCE FROM FEMA IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR HURRICANE MILTON |
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On 10/11, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Florida and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Milton beginning on October 5, 2024, and continuing. As of today, federal funding is available to individuals who qualify for federal disaster assistance in several counties across Florida, including Orange County. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and other business owners recover from a disaster. If you have insurance, you should file a claim with your insurance company first, then apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA cannot aid with losses already covered by your insurance. If your insurance does not cover all of your losses or is delayed, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance regarding your unmet needs. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL YOUR INSURANCE SETTLEMENT TO APPLY. Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. Visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov for more details and to start your Disaster Assistance Application with FEMA.Frequently asked questions about FEMA assistance, and what to do before, when, and after you apply, are available here. If you are having trouble accessing the Disaster Assistance website, please check back intermittently. As people apply in the first few hours of this announcement, the website may become overwhelmed. |
Assistance for Constituents of Central Florida, District 10
Our district office is here to help you with federal agencies. If you need support or have a casework request, please start your case here.
Please note our District Office is closed at the moment as our staff takes shelter / recovers from the immediate effects of Hurricane Milton. We expect to reopen on Monday, 10/14. We will do our best to assist you as soon as possible and thank you for your patience at this time. If you have an urgent issue, please contact our DC Office at 202-225-2176.
Reporting Immediate Damage / Hazards
- 911 is for emergencies only. Call 911 for things like serious injury, medical crisis, fire, or a downed power line or sparking on fire.
- For fallen trees or traffic lights, call 311. If in the City of Orlando, call 407-246-HELP(4357)
- For flooding that is not an immediate threat, call 311. If in the limits of the City of Orlando, report here, or call 407.246.2238.
- For Utility Outages in Central Florida:
- Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC): 407-423-9018
- Duke Energy: 800-228-8485
- City of Winter Park: Electric utility power outages 1-877-811-8700 | Water & wastewater utilities outages 407-599-3219
Federal Resources
We are adding federal resources here as they are made available. Please check back regularly as relief and recovery efforts develop over the coming days.
FEMA - FEMA is working around the clock to provide the State of Florida, our local governments, and individuals the assistance they need after Hurricane Milton. Individualized assistance is now available at disasterassistance.gov
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service.
Frequently asked questions about FEMA assistance, and what to do before, when, and after you apply, are available here.
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Florida and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Milton beginning on October 5, 2024, and continuing.
The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Federal funding is also available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in the counties of Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.
For a period of 90 days of the State’s choosing within the first 120 days from the start of the incident period, assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program is authorized at 100 percent of the total eligible costs. Finally, Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Mr. John E. Brogan of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT - HUD provides support and information to homeowners and renters impacted by the storm and works with states and local communities to use current and future housing and community development funding to aid in response and recovery efforts.
HUD Assistance for Homeowners - If you are homeowner concerned about foreclosure or have questions about next steps with your home, connect with a HUD approved housing counseling agency by calling 1-800- 569-4287 or https://www.hud.gov/counseling. You do not have to have an FHA loan to meet with a HUD approved housing counseling agency and there is never a fee for foreclosure prevention counseling.
- 90-day foreclosure moratorium is available for FHA insured home loans after a Presidentially Declared Disaster. For information call: 1-800-225-5342.
- HUD's Section 203(h) program provides FHA insurance to disaster victims who have lost their homes and are facing the daunting task of rebuilding or buying another home. Borrowers from participating FHA- approved lenders are eligible for 100 percent financing, including closing costs. For information call: 1-800-225-5342.
- HUD's Section 203(k) loan program enables disaster survivors to finance the purchase or refinance of a house along with its repair through a single mortgage. It also allows homeowners who have damaged houses to finance the rehabilitation of their existing single- family home. For information call: 1-800-225-5342.
Housing Discrimination Assistance for Renters and Homeowners - Did you experience housing discrimination after the disaster? Contact HUD to file a claim at: 1-800-669-9777.
HUD Assistance for Renters - For renters impacted by a disaster, HUD- certified housing counselors are available to help you with your housing situation, discuss your options, and direct you to other local resources. Connect with a HUD approved housing counseling agency by calling 1-800- 569-4287 or https://www.hud.gov/counseling.
If you live in Public Housing, have a HUD voucher (sometimes referred to as Section 8), or live in a multifamily property, please contact the housing provider that assisted you before the disaster or HUD’s disaster line at 1-800-304-9320.
HUD Assistance for States and Local Agencies - HUD provides assistance and resources to statesand local communities to respond to and recover from a disaster. For more information, please visit HUD’s Disaster Recovery for Communities site at https://www.hud.gov/disaster_resources/disaster_recovery_communities
FULL DISASTER RESOURCE PAGE FROM HUD
MEDICARE AND MEDICAID - New resources have been made available by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to assist with the Public Health Emergency in the State of Florida.
CMS is working closely with the State of Florida and federal partners to put these flexibilities in place to ensure those affected by this natural disaster have access to the care they need – when they need it most. These actions are made possible by President Biden's declaration that an emergency exists in Florida due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Milton beginning October 5, 2024, and continuing. Additionally, on October 8, 2024, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra determined that a Public Health Emergency (PHE) exists in Florida and has existed since October 5, 2024.
State of Florida Waivers: CMS waivers are available to providers in Florida who have been affected by Hurricane Milton. Health care providers who need additional flexibilities specific to the effects resulting from Hurricane Milton can submit a request to CMS here: https://cmsqualitysupport.servicenowservices.com/cms_1135
Marketplace Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Hurricane Victims: During a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared Major or Emergency disaster event, individuals who reside in states served by HealthCare.gov and who miss their existing SEP or who miss enrollment during the Open Enrollment Period are eligible for an SEP to enroll in Marketplace coverage. FEMA- emergency affected individuals will have up to 60 days from the end of the FEMA-designated incident period to select a new Marketplace plan or make changes to their existing Marketplace plan. FEMA-emergency affected individuals must contact the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 or TTY at 1855-889-4325 and indicate they were eligible for an enrollment window but were unable to complete their enrollment due to a FEMA-designated emergency or disaster. For more information, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/cciio/resources/regulations-and-guidance/fema_sepDisaster
Dialysis Care: CMS is helping people obtain and maintain access to critical life-saving services by activating the Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) program and working with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network 7, which is responsible under a contract with CMS for assessing the status of dialysis facilities in potentially impacted areas of Florida. This includes assessing impacts related to generators, alternate water supplies, providing education and materials for patients, and more. ESRD Network 7 is also assisting people to receive dialysis services in the location to which they evacuated. CMS, through ESRD Network 7, has also advised people to keep an emergency supply kit on hand in a waterproof bag, containing important personal, medical, and insurance information; contact information for their dialysis facility; the ESRD Network hotline number; and contact information of those with whom they may stay or for out-of-state contacts. They have also been instructed to have on hand supplies to follow a three-day emergency diet. The ESRD Network 7 (Florida) toll-free hotline is 1-800.826.3773. Additional information is available on the KCER website at www.kcercoalition.com.
Medical Equipment and Supplies Replacements: CMS will permit people with Medicare who have lost or realized damage to their durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies as a result of the hurricane to receive replacements of such items and services. This will help to ensure beneficiaries can continue to access the needed medical equipment and supplies they rely on each day. People with Medicare can contact 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for assistance.
Access to Covered Part D Drugs: There is longstanding guidance around expectations for Part D sponsors in the event of a Presidential declaration of a disaster/emergency or Secretarial declaration of a public health emergency (PHE). During any public health disaster (PHE) declaration, where beneficiaries are displaced from their place of residence and cannot be reasonably expected to obtain covered Part D drugs at a network pharmacy, plans will be required to assure that their enrollees have adequate access to drugs dispensed at out-of-network (OON) pharmacies. Plans are required to reimburse beneficiaries up to their usual plan allowance for any payments enrollees make to OON pharmacies. Similarly, if the nature of the disaster requires voluntary or mandatory evacuation, plans will similarly be required to reimburse beneficiaries for OON payments for refills of Part D medications to any beneficiary located in an “emergency area” defined as the area in which there has been a Stafford Act or National Emergencies Act declaration and a PHE declaration. For beneficiaries who have, for instance, lost their drugs, CMS would expect all “refill too soon edits” to be removed. For more information, visit sections 50.12 and 60.1 of Chapter 5 of the Prescription Drug Benefit Manual.
Health Information Privacy/ Civil Rights Accessibility Resources: During a PHE, the HHS Secretary may waive sanctions and penalties against a covered hospital that does not comply with certain provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule in the emergency area and for the emergency period identified in the PHE declaration; to hospitalsthat have instituted a disaster protocol; and for up to 72 hours from the time the hospital implements its disaster protocol but not to exceed the time prescribed beyond the period described in section 1135(e) of the Social Security Act. The HHS Office for Civil Rights offers more information on HIPAA during emergency responses. Recent natural disasters have demonstrated the importance of ensuring accessibility to health and human services for everyone living in the United States, including individuals in need of interpretation and translation services.
CMS will continue to work with the State of Florida and those areas impacted by the hurricane. We encourage beneficiaries and providers of healthcare services that have been impacted to seek help by visiting CMS’ emergency webpage (www.cms.gov/emergency). To find additional preparedness and response resources for the health sector and emergency management professionals, please visit: https://www.phe.gov/emergency/Tools/Pages/default.aspx
National Disaster Distress Helpline - 1-800-985-5990 Provides Immediate Crisis Counseling to People Affected by Hurricane Milton
Natural disasters can have an enormous impact on people, including survivors, first responders, eyewitnesses, and even those who watch related media reports on television. The Disaster Distress (DDH) Helpline, at 1-800-985-5990, can provide immediate counseling to anyone affected by Hurricane Milton, as well as the recent effects of Hurricane Helene. The Disaster Distress Helpline is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Counselors are available 24/7 to respond to people who need crisis counseling after experiencing a traumatic event or a disaster. Counselors are trained to offer support to people who may be experiencing a range of symptoms. The Helpline, available at 1-800-985-5990 or www.samhsa.gov/ddh, immediately connects callers to trained and caring professionals from the nearest crisis counseling center in the nationwide network of centers. The Helpline staff provide confidential counseling, referrals and other needed support services. Spanish-speakers can press “2” for bilingual support. Callers can also connect with counselors in more than 100 other languages via third-party interpretation services by indicating their preferred language to the responding counselor. For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: Please text or call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 using your preferred Relay provider. Visit samsha.gov for more details.
Local and State Resources
- Florida Division of Emergency Management Recovery Page - Find state resources here.
- Find Shelter --> State of Florida | Orange County
- Business Relief - If your business was damaged by Hurricane Milton, please complete the Business Damage Assessment Survey.
- Updates on business closures and business resources are consistently being updated.
- The American Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery
The American Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery webpage has practical safety information as well as advice on recovering financially and emotionally from a hurricane.
- Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
This interest-free loan program is available to small business owners and citrus businesses throughout Florida that experience physical and/or economic damage in the event of a major storm.
- Orange County Storm Recovery Assistance
Find local storm recovery resources and programs here.
- We encourage you to visit your local officials’ websites for more information about local resources that may be available to you.
Reunification Portal and Reporting Missing Children
The American Red Cross has launched an online Reunification Portal for individuals looking for loved ones.
If you need assistance locating or connecting with a loved one in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia or Florida because of Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton, the Red Cross may be able to help. www.redcross.org
To report a missing child during a disaster, contact the National Emergency Child Locater Center at 1-800-843-5678. Be sure to include if the missing child has a disability or an access or functional need. If you encounter a child separated from their parents or legal caregivers, first contact the local police. In addition, individuals can use the Unaccompanied Minors Registry to enter basic information for the child and include a recent photo. Family and friends of people in the disaster-affected areas are urged to check social network sites for information about reunification and missing persons.
Avoiding Hazards and Staying Safe
- Never wade through water. Flood water can be dangerous, with hazards, waste, electricity, and more.
- Shut down your power if your house has flooded to avoid electrical damage.
- Don't drive on flooded roads.
- Be safe when cleaning up. Use common sense and try to avoid injuring yourself or others when cleaning up, as it can strain medical services responding to immediate needs from the Hurricane. Do not remove hazardous or dangerous materials, contact your local authorities and leave it to the professionals.
- Do not cut any cables or lines. Some cables and lines may be electrically charged and dangerous, or communications cables providing things like 911 access. Contact your local authorities and leave it to the professionals.
What did the Federal Government do to support the State of Florida before the storm?
The Biden-Harris Administration mobilized a whole-of-government effort to prepare for the impacts of Hurricane Milton, including pre-positioning resources and personnel and expediting debris removal efforts in Florida. These actions supplemented the ongoing response and recovery efforts to the impacts of Hurricane Helene across the Southeast and Appalachia.
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20 million meals and 40 million liters of water ready for distribution to folks impacted by Milton and Helene, that can expand if needed.
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300 additional ambulances, 7+ Disaster Medical Assistance Teams from various federal resources ready.
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~100 healthcare responders pre-positioned with medical supplies.
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7 FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams and 8 Urban Search & Rescue teams pre-staged with helicopters.
- Ahead of landfall, President Biden quickly approved the emergency declaration requests from the Governor of Florida and the Chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, enabling FEMA to provide direct federal support for life-saving activities, evacuation, sheltering, and search and rescue operations.
- This is not a comprehensive list. See more here.
Are there other resources available to me that aren't listed here?
- YES- ABSOLUTELY. Due to Congressional Rules we're only able to direct you to resources provided by official local, state, and federal government entities. This means that you may find additional, non-government resources that are helpful to your circumstances. We encourage you to do your own research to find all the available resources available to you.
- Recovering from a storm takes all of us. Neighbors, non-profits, emergency responders, and every level of government are working together to recover from Hurricane Milton. Look into all resources available to you and your loved ones.
- Be aware of common fraud and disaster recovery scams. Unfortunately there are some scam artists that conduct phishing and other scams under the guise of legitimate recovery efforts. Be vigiliant and verify information with trusted sources. More information on Disaster Fraud below.
About Disaster Fraud
After a disaster, scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals often attempt to take advantage of disaster survivors. We encourage survivors to watch for and report any suspicious activity.
Protect your identity and stay informed by doing these easy things:
- Remember, DHS, FEMA, SBA and other federal agencies will never charge you for disaster assistance.
- Always ask to see I.D. FEMA personnel will always have an official identification badge.
- Do not offer any personal information, especially sensitive information like your SSN, unless you are speaking with a verified FEMA or other government representative.
- Stay tuned to trusted local media for updates from your local officials on disaster fraud and scams.
- Check with local law enforcement to ensure your identity is protected.
Report Disaster Fraud and Scams
- For FEMA Investigations and Inspections Division:
- Email: StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov
- Phone: 866-223-0814
- Fax: 202-212-4926
- Mail: 400 C Street SW, Suite 7SW-1009, Mail Stop 3005, Washington D.C., 20472-3005
- Contact your state consumer protection offices. Florida Office.
- Florida State law prohibits an unconscionable increase in the price of essential commodities needed as a direct result of a declared state of emergency due to a hurricane or other natural disaster. Report price gounging to the Florida Attorney General here.
- Report corruption, fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement or misconduct to DHS Office of the Inspector General.
- File a complaint with the National Center for Disaster Fraud.
- Visit IdentityTheft.gov to report and recover from identify theft.
MORE FROM FEMA ON DISASTER FRAUD
How Can I Help Safely?
Financial contributions to recognized disaster relief organizations are the fastest, most flexible and most effective method of donating. Organizations on the ground know what items and quantities are needed, often buy in bulk with discounts and, when possible, purchase through businesses local to the disaster, which supports economic recovery.
Don’t self-deploy to disaster areas. If you want to help, work with a trusted organization in the affected areas, who know where volunteers are needed. Working with an established organization helps make sure you have the appropriate safety, training and skills needed to respond. -
- FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons (VALs) build relationships and coordinate efforts with voluntary, faith-based and community organizations active in disasters.
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