In-Person Hurricane Recovery Support Available

ORLANDO, Fla. — Home and business owners who need in-person help navigating hurricane-recovery resources can visit Florida Small Business Development Center Network’s mobile assistance center and  Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Centers this week.

The Florida SBDC, in partnership with state and federal agencies, has been on the ground in impacted communities to help small business owners get connected with disaster assistance. The mobile assistance center will be located at the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce, 222 10th Street West, Bradenton, today (Oct. 21) through Thursday (Oct. 24), from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The SBDC can help business owners apply for Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans, which provide short-term, zero-interest working capital loans, among other types of assistance. Business Emergency Bridge Loans are available up for to $50,000 per eligible applicant. Click here to apply online.

Hurricane Helene eligible counties: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton and Washington counties.

Hurricane Milton eligible counties: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Suwanee, Taylor, Union and Volusia counties.

For questions about loan programs, call 833-832-4494 (Monday through Thursday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.) or email EmergencyBridgeLoan@commerce.fl.gov.

FEMA aid

FEMA opened 10 Disaster Recovery Centers to provide one-on-one help to Floridians affected by Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Debby. Survivors of any of the storms can visit any center.

Citrus County

West Citrus Community Center

8940 W. Veterans Drive

Homosassa, FL 34448

Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Sunday

Columbia County

Lake City Reporter

180 E. Duval St.

Lake City, FL 32055

9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Sunday

Gilchrist County

Gilchrist County Fire Station #2

460 NW County Road 138

Branford, FL 32008

Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Sunday

Hillsborough County (Mobile Center)

David Barksdale Senior Citizen Center

1801 N. Lincoln Ave.

Tampa, FL 33607

Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Sunday

Madison County

The Bridge Church

1135 US East 90

Madison, FL 32340

Open 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Manatee County

GT Bray Park

5502 33rd Avenue Drive W

Bradenton, FL 34209

Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Sunday

Pinellas County

Botanical Gardens – Magnolia Room

12520 Ulmerton Road

Largo, FL 33774

Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Sunday

Sarasota County

Sarasota Municipal Auditorium

801 N. Tamiami Trail

Sarasota, FL 34236

Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Sunday

Suwannee County

Hale Park

215 Duval St. NE

Live Oak, FL 32064

Open 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday-Sunday

Taylor County

Loughridge Park

1100 W. Hampton Springs Ave.

Perry, FL 32347

Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Sunday

In addition to the Disaster Recovery Centers, Disaster Survivor Assistance staff are at the following location helping survivors apply for assistance:

Baker County
Faith Bible Church
15902 US-90 
Sanderson, FL 32087
Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.

Homeowners and renters can also apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA app or by calling 800-621-3362.

FEMA has a variety of programs and support services available to help survivors including temporary housing through FEMA-provided assistance like serious needs assistance, transitional sheltering assistance (if approved for their location), displacement assistance, rental assistance or lodging expense reimbursement.

© 2024 Florida Realtors®