Florida Realtors Disaster Relief Fund Opens
Hurricane Debby made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region on Monday morning near the 2023 landfall of Hurricane Idalia. Flooding and storm surge damage is expected.
Florida Realtors Disaster Relief Fund: There When You Need It
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Florida Realtors® Disaster Relief Fund began accepting applications Monday as Hurricane Debby dumped inches of rain in already-drenched areas, leaving the potential for catastrophic flooding and storm surge.
The Disaster Relief Fund – or DRF – is available to Realtors®, Realtor boards/associations and staff whose primary residential home or real estate office sustained damages due to the storm. Business and individual damage applications will be accepted until Feb. 5, 2025, and should include:
- Color photos showing damage (digital preferred) and insurance summary page showing deductible and coverage information.
- A written assessment from your insurance company and estimate to replace or repair damaged areas; include qualifying repair receipts to date and any additional information which may assist with describing your disaster and subsequent damage.
- Qualifying repair receipts to date and any additional information which may assist with describing your disaster and subsequent damage.
Debby, a Category 1, made landfall about 7 a.m. in Steinhatchee on Monday, about 70 miles west of Gainesville. Gov. Ron DeSantis said Debby followed a track “very similar to Idalia 11 months ago,” but packed less of a punch. Idalia came ashore near Keaton Beach as a Category III on Aug. 30, 2023, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. Keaton Beach is about 20 miles north of Steinhatchee. DeSantis noted there were fewer power outages with Debby.
Storm surge was expected to be the biggest threat for Florida, with 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 meters) of inundation above ground level predicted in part of the zone near the Big Bend, according to John Cangialosi, a hurricane specialist with the National Hurricane Center.
“That part of the coast is a very vulnerable spot,” he said Monday.
Some areas, including Sarasota and Manatee counties, received more than 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters) of rain.
“We expect to have several rivers and streams go into major flood stage,” said Kevin Guthrie, Florida’s director of emergency management.
The National Hurricane Center warned of 6 to 10 feet of storm surge, and water levels were six feet higher than normal at Cedar Key, and five feet above normal in the Steinhatchee River. Storm surge could be seen as far as a mile inland in Horseshoe Beach, and along the coast, reports show downed trees and eroded coastal roads.
DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 61 counties in advance of the hurricane. President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration, which authorizes federal assistance after the storm.
Other disaster relief available
The DRF is also continuing to accept applications for other severe weather events:
- Flash flooding in South Florida on June 11, 2024; applications close December 12, 2024.
- Tornado events in North Florida on May 10, 2024; applications close November 11, 2024.
Those interested in helping disaster victims can donate to the DRF securely online. If you prefer to mail in a tax-deductible donation, make your check payable to "Florida Realtors Disaster Fund, attention Dave Garrison," and send the check to:
Florida Realtors Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 725025
Orlando, FL 32872-5025
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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