Hot Meals for Hurricane Relief-World Central Kitchen and Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens will be serving hot meals from October 16th through the 23rd, 1PM to 3PM, or until all meals are served, on a first-come, first-served basis at our Drive Through Location:  5827 Riverside Drive, Punta Gorda, FL 33982.  If you know of someone that needs a meal delivered, email thorner@peacerivergardens.org and we'll make arrangements.
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In the wake of Hurricane Milton’s widespread impact on Southwest Florida, the Florida SBDC at FGCU is ready to assist local businesses with disaster recovery efforts. The Florida SBDC at FGCU can provide technical assistance for applying for SBA Disaster Loans and Florida Emergency Bridge Loans. These loans are critical in helping businesses secure the immediate funding needed to recover and rebuild.

The SBDC Mobile Assistance Center will be at the Port Charlotte Town Center Mall from Friday, October 18 through Sunday, October 20 to assist small businesses with quick Bridge and Disaster Loans.  Please see the attached flyer for complete details.

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FEMA Assistance: If you have been affected by Hurricane Helene, apply for FEMA assistance to take care of your critical needs. FEMA may provide financial help to assist you with home repairs, temporary housing, or property damage (appliances, furniture, vehicle, etc). You may also qualify for help with childcare, medical, lodging, moving, and funeral expenses.
Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline 1-800-621-3362, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week. Help is available in many languages.
     Don’t wait to apply for FEMA assistance and, if you do have insurance, do not wait to file an insurance claim for damage caused by the disaster.
If you have business losses, including property damage and economic losses, you may qualify for assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Visit the MySBA Loan Portal at lending.sba.gov to learn more and apply.

For recovery information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000 or go online to www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov/storm. Follow Charlotte County Emergency Management for important emergency information at www.charlottecountyfl.gov/em, www.facebook.com/oemcharlottecounty, and www.x.com/ccoem.
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Operation Blue Roof announced for the counties of:  Brevard, Citrus, Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Manatee, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie, Sumter and Volusia.  Initial sign-up period is set for 21 days and ends November 5.  Residents impacted by Hurricane Milton can sign-up at www.blueroof.gov calling 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258). Sign up for assistance, and complete the Right of Entry form so that volunteers are allowed to access your property. Not all roof types qualify, flat, metal or clay, slate or asbestos tile do not qualify.  Roof must be standard roof shingles, or similar material that will allow contractors to nail the tarp in place.  Contractors will consider repairs to metal roofs and mobile homes on a case-by-case basis and will install the cover if possible.
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CHARCOCARES:  Free Hurricane Helene disaster cleanup assistance is available.  Call 844-985-1386 for help with flood cleanup, tree and debris removal.  Charlotte County will open two water and MRE distribution centers on Monday, Sept. 30, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or while supplies last.
The distribution centers are located at Port Charlotte Town Center Mall, 1441 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte in Macy’s Parking lot and at the Tringali Park Community Center, 3460 N Access Rd, Englewood.

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Three temporary drop-off locations for storm Debris are now open for residential drop-off only (no contractors or businesses:
*Mid-County Mini-Transfer & Recycling, 19765 Kenilworth Blvd., Port Charlotte
*West Charlotte Mini-Transfer & Recycling, 7070 Environmental Way, Englewood
9a.m. to gates closing are 4:45p.m. Monday - Saturday
and *Special Drop-off location at the Charlotte County Landfill, 29751 Zemel Rd. Punta Gorda 7a.m.-4:30p.m. Monday-Friday and 7a.m. -12:30p.m. Saturdays.

PROOF of county residency is required valid photo id and local address.  PO Box address are not accepted, bring a utility bill or similar document aS proof of local residency along with photo id.
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Food and beverage workers needing financial assistance, Southern Smoke Foundation. Financial assistance is available nationwide and Gulf Coast funded relief for workers in Charlotte, Sarasota, and DeSoto Counties.

Individuals may receive up to $1,000, and families may be eligible for up to $1,200. Southern Smoke provides a simple application process and outlines requirements for funding on its website, assigning all applicants with a case manager for support.

We have information on our social media if that’s an easier way to disseminate the resource. We know lots of restaurant staff are out of work right now.
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For safety tips about flooding and electrical safety, visit https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/news/what-to-do-to-prevent-electrical-hazards-if-your-house-is-flooded.stml.

Follow Charlotte County Emergency Management for important emergency information at  www.charlottecountyfl.gov/em, www.facebook.com/oemcharlottecounty, and www.x.com/ccoem.

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Disaster Unemployment Assistance

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (Oct. 16, 2024) – Charlotte County businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Milton and are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits can apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

Florida Commerce is accepting applications from eligible residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to Hurricane Milton are encouraged to submit a claim at FloridaJobs.org.  DUA is available to those who are ineligible to receive federal or state Reemployment Assistance benefits and the individual meets one of the following requirements:

• Is unemployed as a direct result of the major disaster;
• Was scheduled to start employment but was unable to as a direct result of the major disaster;
• Is unable to reach their job or self-employment location because the individual has to travel through an affected area and is prevented from doing so as a direct result of the major disaster;
• Has become the primary breadwinner because the head of the household died as a direct result of the major disaster; or
• Is unable to work because of an injury that was a direct result of the major disaster.

DUA is available for weeks of unemployment beginning October 6, 2024, through April 12, 2025, as long as the individual’s unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster in the designated disaster areas. The deadline to submit a claim for DUA benefits is no later than December 10, 2024.  To file a claim, go to www.FloridaJobs.org and select “File a Claim”, visit a local CareerSource Career Center, or call 1-800-385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For DUA claims information, call 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759) to speak with a representative.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (Sept. 27, 2024) – Charlotte County has an online Self-Reporting Storm Damage system to help us collect damage assessments. Visit www.tinyurl.com/reportingdamage, enter your address, select the type of damage and add a photo. If possible, include high water marks when reporting damage.
Please follow all safety guidelines for flooded areas when taking photos, stay on higher ground, avoid contact with flood waters, and do not drive on flooded roads.
Reporting damage in this system gets the information to county departments quickly and eliminates the need to call it in. The information will help the county compile an extensive list of the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
Do understand that by self-reporting this information to the county, you are simply assisting the county with damage assessment information. You must still take whatever steps are necessary to report any damage to your insurance company or FEMA, etc.
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Tallahassee, FL - September 27, 2024 Today, FloridaCommerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Helene. Business owners can self-report physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Helene recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of impacted businesses.
Businesses can complete the survey online by visiting FloridaDisaster.biz and selecting “Hurricane Helene” from the dropdown menu.
If you need additional assistance with your business, please call the private sector hotline at 850-815-4925, open daily, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or email  ESF18@em.myflorida.com
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Verify State Contractor License with the Florida Department f Business & Professional Regulation myfloridalicense.com  

Charlotte County Chamber member Building Contractors Link
Charlotte County Chamber member Water Damage Restoration Link
Charlotte County Chamber member Roofing Contractors Link

Charlotte DeSoto Building Industry Association reminds you to use a licensed contractor - for additional information visit https://www.cdbia.com/after-the-storm-assistance. You can also call them at the office at 941-625-0804.