Hurricane Milton Recovery Updates
Hurricane Milton Updates
Last updated 11-14-24
For Businesses
Please call the Disaster Help Desk anytime at 888-MY-BIZ-HELP (or 888-692-4943).
FEMA, SBA and USDA Create Recovery Resource Guide for Local Business Owners
Business Damage Assessment Survey
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
Hurricane Milton Property Assessment From The Lee VCB
Lee Edo Business Damage Assessment Survey
FWC addressing hundreds of vessels displaced by Hurricanes Helene and Milton
Vessel owners are encouraged to hire a salvage company to recover their vessel to provide the safest method possible for the vessel and the environment. Removing displaced vessels can hasten the recovery and overall resilience of native marine plants and animals. To report a lost or sunken vessel, vessel owners can call the FWC Boating and Waterways Section at 850‐488‐5600. Operators will be available to help Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The public can report vessels displaced on state waters by Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton by calling 888‐404‐3922. Be prepared to provide the registration number, vessel location and description.
Florida Hurricane Restoration Reimbursement Grant Program
Beachfront property owners are encouraged to take advantage of The Florida Hurricane Restoration Reimbursement Grant Program. FDEP will reimburse residential and condo owners for sand and armoring projects. It is important to get proper permitting to qualify.
Sand placed waterward of armoring qualifies for 100% reimbursement! Armoring is reimbursed 50%, up to $300,000 for residential, and $600,000 for condos.
Only $20 million left in the grant for all of Florida, 1st come, 1st serve basis. For more info go to: https://floridadep.gov/hrrgp
Or call 239-245-5885 for more information.
Small Business Hurricane Recovery Grant Program
The Small Business Hurricane Recovery Grant Program, with founding sponsor American Express, provides small business disaster recovery assistance for physical damage or economic loss due to Tropical Storm/Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton.
The deadline to apply is November 17 at 11:59 pm. Grants will not be awarded on a first-come-first served basis, but applying early is always a good idea.
SBA Assistance
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are also available to eligible businesses who suffered revenue loss or physical damage from the storm in eligible counties. Through the SBA’s Physical Disaster Loan program, businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
The SBA also provides working capital loans for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, caused by the disaster through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). EIDL assistance is available for the primary declared counties, as well as contiguous counties, regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
How To Apply For FEMA Assistance
How to navigate FEMA’s 50% rule following Hurricane Milton
Permits Required Before Rebuilding
Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton: A Guide to FEMA Assistance for Floridians
How to Document Home Ownership and Occupancy
FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs.
10 Items FEMA Assistance Can Provide Money for After a Disaster
How to Apply
If you applied to FEMA after Hurricanes Debby or Helene and have additional damage from Hurricane Milton, you will need to apply separately for Milton and provide the dates of your most recent damage. Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply using the FEMA mobile app or by calling FEMA’s helpline toll-free at 800-621-3362. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
What You’ll Need When You Apply
- A current phone number where you can be contacted.
- Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
- Your Social Security number.
- A general list of damage and losses.
- Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
- If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.
If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.
If you applied for assistance for multiple disasters, please note that each event may require a separate home inspection. During these inspections, the inspector will document damage and causes individually.
FEMA is contacting registered applicants, including those affected by multiple disasters, to help them navigate the process more effectively. These calls may come from unfamiliar area codes or phone numbers. If you are concerned about verifying that FEMA is trying to reach you, call 800-621-3362. FEMA representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, FEMA services are free.
As part of the Major Disaster Declaration, President Biden also authorized FEMA Public Assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including Direct Federal Assistance, for 34 counties and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program statewide.
For the latest information about Florida’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4834. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.
State Assistance Information Line
1-800-342-3557
This call center runs 24/7 and can answer any Hurricane Milton or Hurricane Helene related questions in English, Spanish, and Creole.
Other Resources
United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades: Available 24/7, United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline connects you with local resources and social services, including hurricane recovery assistance. Call: 2-1-1 or 239-433-3900. Website: unitedwaylee.org
Better Together: This nonprofit provides short-term childcare through vetted, volunteer families, as well as mentoring and job resources to support families in crisis. Call: 239-470-2733. Website: bettertogetherus.org
Everything you need to know about flood insurance
Taxes
Hurricane Victims: IRS Has Your Back
Mental Health Resources
SAMSHA Distress Helpline
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 crisis counseling and support to survivors experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. SAMSHA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
o Call 800-985-5990, visit samhsa.gov/ or text TalkWithUs for English or Hablanos for Spanish to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Mental Health Warmline
Call to have a conversation with someone who can provide support during difficult times. If you’re in crisis or just need someone to talk to, this resource can help. Warmlines are staffed by trained peers who have been through their own mental health struggles and know what it’s like to need help. Warmlines are free and confidential. The Clear Warm Line can be reached at 800- 945-1355. 4-10 p.m. ET every night of the year.
Elite DNA Behavioral Health
Offering in-person and telehealth mental health support for those feeling the emotional toll of the hurricane.
Website: elitedna.com
Other Coping Resources
- Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, text-based mental health support and crisis intervention. Visit crisistextline.org/or Text HOME to 741741.
- United Way’s 211 Network partners with hundreds of organizations, businesses and government agencies to provide a multitude of resources, including mental wellness care and local health and community services. Call 2-1-1, available 24/7. Or visit 211.org.
- American Red Cross Virtual Family Assistance Center: Call 833-492-0094.
- Red Cross Southwest Florida
- Florida Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline: Call 800-962-2873.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.
- National Sexual Assault Helpline: Call 800-656-HOPE.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support to individuals experiencing mental-health related distress. Call or text 988. Or visit 988lifeline.org.
From The Town Of Fort Myers Beach
Need assistance in our Planning and Zoning Department?
You can now schedule an appointment or meet with Town staff during walk-in hours!
Town Hall Zoning Information Walk-in Hours
- Wednesday 9:00am-12:00pm & 1:00pm-3:00pm
- Thursday 9:00am-12:00pm & 1:00pm-3:00pm
During these hours, a staff member will be available to answer resident questions on general zoning regulations.
Permitting Fees Waived
The Town of Fort Myers Beach began our damage assessment process following Hurricane Milton and would like to remind you that it is illegal to do work without a permit. We are working hard to ensure the permitting process is smooth for our residents! Due to this, the Town is waving residential trade permit fees, for drywall, for Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton damage! Permit fees will be waived for 30 days, from October 15 – November 13. Per FEMA regulations, even though the fee is waived, a permit is still required to be pulled.
Please see below for a list of items you do NOT need a permit for:
- Floor covering such as tile or carpet
- Minor cabinetry which does not include any electrical or plumbing fixtures
- Painting
- Portable heating or cooling appliances
Although you do not need to pull a permit for these items you will need to submit a cost backup worksheet. IT IS A FEMA REQUIREMENT THAT ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ANY REPAIR OR IMPROVEMENT TO AN EXISTING STRUCTURE MUST HAVE A COST SHEET SUBMITTED REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT.
Cost backup worksheet is available for print (page 14 of 15): Residential-Application-Fillable-07-16-24 (fortmyersbeachfl.gov)