Manatee County people impacted by Hurricane Helene should complete an “unmet needs survey,” which can be found at https://extreme-weather-dashboard-manateegis.hub.arcgis.com.
The site, Manatee County’s “Severe Weather Information Center,” also contains information about post-storm safety tips, road closures, power outages, recovery work, donation sites, aid distribution sites and more.
For FEMA assistance, download the FEMA app for smartphones to begin, go to disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-3362.
For flood recovery information, go to mymanatee.org/floodimpact.
For business recovery information, go to sba.gov/disaster.
For cleanup help, go to crisiscleanup.org.
For unmet storm-related needs, contact the Hope Florida initiative, Activate Hope, at 850-300-HOPE.
— Lisa Neff
A guide to FEMA help
FEMA disaster assistance can provide funds to homeowners and renters for serious needs, basic home repair, rental of temporary housing and other uninsured expenses resulting from Hurricane Helene.
FEMA money can help with repairing or replacing a damaged home, as well as mitigate hazards while FEMA displacement assistance helps people who can’t return to their home because it was damaged by Hurricane Helene.
And after receiving displacement assistance for immediate housing needs, applicants may be eligible for rental assistance.
Displacement assistance, a one-time payment, can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or for other options while you look for temporary housing.
Those who still need help after spending displacement assistance can ask for rental assistance, which can help pay for somewhere to live while repairs are being made or permanent housing is identified.
The initial award may cover up to two months’ rent.
Other needs
People also can apply for FEMA money to pay for serious needs, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation.
A claim also can be filed to help you repair or replace personal items, including appliances, room furnishings, tools, items required for school or work, including self-employment.
FEMA funding can help cover medical expenses the disaster caused, as well as replace medical equipment and prescriptions damaged in the disaster.
Money also can be requested to pay for purchases made for the recovery effort, to replace or repair damaged vehicles and to move or store property.
Needed to apply
To apply for FEMA aid, have ready a phone number, an address for impacted property, an address where staying, a social security number, a general list of damage and losses, banking information for direct deposit and a policy number and agent for personal insurance.
Save the contact
For FEMA help, go online to disasterassistance.gov, use the FEMA app, visit a recovery center or call 800-621-3362.
