2024 Hurricane Resources
Hurricane Resources
Updated on October 29, 2024
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Information to Help in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Helene & Milton

We have gathered resources for Realtors in Florida to help you recover and rebuild.

Florida Realtors® infographics for immediate needs

  • Tech Helpline infographic: Provides details about the Tech Help Line to keep you connected. Click here to download.
  • Legal Hotline infographic: Provides information about Florida Realtors Legal Hotline for legal assistance when you need it most. Click here to download.
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance special "carousel" infographic: Provides information about the state Disaster Unemployment assistance program that helps when you lose your source of income. Click here to download.

Clean & sanitize

FEMA may be able to provide up to $300 in one-time financial assistance to help with cleanup. Click here to learn more. 

Preservation specialists available

FEMA and the Smithsonian Institution co-sponsor the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, a partnership of more than 60 national service organizations and federal agencies created to protect cultural heritage from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies.

Save Your Family Treasures Program specialists will be at the Disaster Recovery Center in Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail and at a mobile Disaster Recovery Center at 1303 17th St. W. in Palmetto from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 28 through Nov. 1. For more information, click here. 

Airbnb free house

Airbnb is offering free, temporary housing for people who have been displaced by Hurricane Helene and Milton in Pinellas, Hernando, Hillsborough, Charlotte, Escambia, Santa Rosa, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Walton, Okaloosa, Gulf, Lee, Hendry, Glades, Leon, Taylor, Wakulla, Madison, Liberty, Gadsden, Franklin and Jefferson counties. Contact 211 or 211.org for more information. For support in Sarasota and Manatee, call (863) 688-5563 or (800) 282-8011 (toll-free). In Pasco County call (800) 995-7604 for assistance.

SBA webinar

Even though the U.S. Small Business Administration’s disaster loan program is out of money, officials are urging those who live in declared disaster areas to apply for loans. The webinar will cover eligibility, loan purposes and available support. It will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 5 – 6 p.m. EDT. SBA loans are not just for business owners. Click here to reserve a spot.

FEMA assistance

Apply for FEMA assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply using the FEMA mobile app or by calling FEMA's helpline toll-free at 800-621-3362. FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property losses or other disaster-caused needs.  

For Hurricane Helene: Homeowners and renters in Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor and Wakulla counties can apply.

For Hurricane Milton: Assistance is available for affected homeowners and renters in the following counties: 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.

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are accessible facilities and mobile offices you can visit to learn more about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs. You may also visit to ask questions about your case. DRCs are set up in convenient areas after a disaster to make them easier to find. Click here to locate one near you.

Serious needs assistance

Serious Needs Assistance provides  money to pay for emergency supplies like water, food, first aid, breast-feeding supplies, infant formula, diapers, personal hygiene items, or fuel for transportation. Serious Needs Assistance is available for survivors who apply during the first 30 days after a disaster is declared. To learn more, click here. 

Assistance from HUD

HUD-approved counseling agencies help homeowners get back on their feet by determining individual needs and creating personalized action plans. Search for a HUD counselor here.

Personalized assistance

Activate Hope has been deployed to help connect Floridians impacted by the storm with needed resources like food, supplies, home repairs, and more. Serving as the emergency response component of the Hope Florida initiative, Activate Hope connects the private sector, nonprofits, and government to help Floridians get back on their feet following a natural disaster. Fill out the form here to get help.

Bridge loans available 

FloridaCommerce activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $15 million available for businesses impacted by the hurricanes. Click here to learn more and apply.

Businesses in the following counties, including sole proprietors, are eligible to apply: 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.

Real estate license renewal extended

Real estate agents, brokers, corporations and others that had a September deadline for licensure renewal now have until the end of October due to the hurricanes, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations said. The deadline extension to Oct. 31 applies to the following Division of Real Estate licenses: sales associates, broker sales associates, brokers, corporate brokers, partnerships, corporations and branch offices. Any existing renewal conditions related to the completion of hours of continuing education are also suspended, the department said. Licenses renewed on or before Oct. 31 will be considered as timely renewals and not assessed any late fees.

Operation Blue Roof opens applications (free roof tarps)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is accepting applications from homeowners and permanently occupied rental properties in disaster areas for fiber-reinforced sheeting to cover their damaged roofs until arrangements can be made for permanent repairs. Applications will be accepted until Nov. 5 from the following counties:

Brevard, Citrus, Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Manatee, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie, Sumter, Volusia.

Click here to register.

For more information, call (888) 766-3258

Business tax extension

Businesses in hurricane-damaged counties have more time to make tax filings with the state and an opportunity to receive in-person recovery resources. The Florida Department of Revenue issued an emergency order extending September and October filing deadlines until Nov. 22. The order extends to sales and use taxes, documentary stamp taxes, insurance premium taxes, unemployment taxes and others. Click here to learn more.

Insurance protections

Hold on insurance cancellations: The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation also issued an order protecting policyholders in 26 counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. The order: 

  • Extends grace periods for any policy, provision, notice, correspondence or law that imposes a time limit upon an insured to perform any act until November 26, 2024. 
  • Prohibits the cancellation or nonrenewal of a policy in an impacted area, except at the written request of the policyholder, until November 26, 2024. 
  • Prohibits the cancellation or nonrenewal of a personal residential or commercial residential property insurance policy covering a property repaired as a result of damage from Hurricane Helene for a period of 90 days after it has been repaired. 
  • Directs insurers, surplus lines and other regulated entities to implement processes and procedures to facilitate the efficient payment of claims.

The order applies to all insurers in the state and policyholders in Alachua, Charlotte, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Franklin, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties. 

Other insurance resources:

Disaster Unemployment Assistance for Hurricane Milton

DUA benefits are available to individuals who became unemployed between Oct. 6, 2024 until April 12, 2025, as long as your unemployment was a direct result of Hurricane Milton.

Click here to register.

Those who live or work in the following DUA-eligible counties must fill out an application by Dec. 10, 2024: 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

Disaster Unemployment Assistance for Hurricane Helene

DUA benefits are available to individuals who became unemployed between Sept. 29, 2024 until March 29, 2025, as long as your unemployment was a direct result of Hurricane Helene.

Click here to register.

If you live or work in the following DUA-eligible counties you must file your application by December 2, 2024: Charlotte, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Madison        , Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla

If you live or work in the following DUA-eligible county you must file your application by Dec. 3, 2024: Gulf     

If you live or work in the following DUA-eligible county you must file your application by Dec. 9, 2024: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Collier, Duval, Putnam and Union

Housing help

Florida Housing Finance Corp.: Works with state and federal officials to provide information on disaster relief and recovery resources and information.

Florida Housing: This free state resource for renters and property managers in Florida features dynamic search options can help you find available rental housing that fits your needs and income.

HurricaneHomes.org: Local Realtor associations are building a safe platform for the community to access rentals for temporary housing in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Bonita Springs, and Marco Island. The website, HurricaneHomes.org, will be available in the coming days and provides listings for housing whose properties have been vetted as reliable, safe, and clean. The listings are given by Realtors in the area. 

Home and business repairs: Before hiring a contractor, verify the individual or company is licensed and insured at www.myfloridalicense.com. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody also suggests getting multiple estimates and keeping alert for red flags.

Mortgage assistance

Mortgages must still be paid after a hurricane, but Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA have programs to help after a disaster – providing homeowners request it. Click here to learn more.

Legal questions

Click here for an overview of key bad weather provisions in the Florida Realtors/Florida Bar “AS IS” Residential Contract for Sale and Purchase, along with one reference to the casualty provision contained in the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

Landlord-tenant concerns: Click here for answers to common questions about rental properties from Florida Realtors legal team.

Additional resources

Disaster Legal Hotline is open to assist and refer callers: 833-514-2940. Also, survivors can call FEMA's toll-free legal services hotline anytime and leave a message for a callback at (866) 550-2929

Samaritan’s Purse hotline: 1-833-747-1234 free assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster. Volunteers may be able to assist with removal of personal property and furniture, flood cleanup, sanitizing with shockwave treatment, chainsaw work and debris clean-up, temporary roof tarping.

Red Cross Hotline: 1-800-Red Cross

Florida Baptists Disaster Relief Public Assistance: 904-253-0502 or text Helene to 27123. Free assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster. Volunteers may be able to assist with storm debris cleanup, temporary roof tarping, chainsaw work and muckouts.

Hurricane Crisis Cleanup number: Volunteer organizations will remove storm debris and assist with other storm clean up at no charge. For more details on specific assistance available, please call the Crisis Clean Up Hotline at 1-844-965-1386.

Team Rubicon: A veteran-led humanitarian organization that helps in disaster cleanup.

Tool Bank USA: Provides tools, equipment and expertise to aid in recovery and cleanup efforts.

Faith Responders: Aids in disaster preparedness, response and restoration of impacted communities.

Rebuilding Tampa Bay: Provides free critical home repair to neighbors in need throughout Tampa Bay and Southwest, North and Central Florida.

SBP: Helps communities affected by major disasters rebuild, recover and return home.

All Hands and Hearts: Addresses immediate and long-term community needs.

CWS: Provides emergency response and recovery services for individuals and communities.

Plain Compassion Disaster Response: Provides humanitarian aid to individuals in immediate distress.

AlertFlorida: Sign up for emergency alerts in your county. 

FloridaDisaster.org: Provides up-to-date statewide information about the storm, including shelters, evacuation information, executive orders and price gouging

State Assistance Information Line: A toll-free hotline activated at the time of an emergency to provide an additional resource for those in Florida to receive accurate and up-to-date information regarding an emergency or disaster situation impacting the State of Florida.There are English, Spanish & Creole speakers available to answer questions. Call 1-800-342-3557. 

FloridaDisaster.biz: Find the most recent information from the state on businesses offering services and assistance, including accommodation and lodging partners, major retailers offering assistance, state partnerships, including updates from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing), 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: The Section 203(h) program allows the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to insure mortgages made by qualified lenders to victims of a major disaster who have lost their homes and are in the process of rebuilding or buying another home. It helps victims in presidentially designated disaster areas recover by making it easier for them to get mortgages and become homeowners or re-establish themselves as homeowners.

Florida Disaster Contractors Network: Florida’s Disaster Contractors Network (DCN) has been activated to provide support to homeowners in need of post-hurricane home repairs. This is a free service founded in part by the state agency that regulates Florida’s construction industry, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Its mission is simple – connect homeowners needing emergency repairs with licensed contractors and construction suppliers.

State Emergency Response Team: Information includes road and bridge updates, shelter openings and statuses, power outages and boil-water notices.

Private businesses offering assistance: See what companies are working to ensure Floridians have the supplies they need to begin hurricane recovery efforts and support the state’s economic resiliency post-storm.

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