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.

Hurricane Recovery Town Hall Dec. 18 - The Florida Division of Emergency Management is hosting a hurricane recovery town hall event from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18 at Sonshine Baptist Church, 23105 Veterans Blvd. Port Charlotte or sign up to attend virtually: www.tinyurl.com/TownHallDec18. Attendees will hear about available recovery resources, receive support in applying for assistance and get questions answered about the recovery process. In addition to FDEM, staff from FEMA and SBA will be there to share resources and assist with any registration needs or questions. Charlotte County Transit Services is offering free rides to and from the event. To schedule a ride, call Transit at 941-575-4000 option 1.

-----American Red Cross:  1-800-733-2762

-----Goodwill can help residents and businesses fill out their applications for FEMA and the SBA. Let folks know that in addition to the DRC in Charlotte County, they can go to the Port Charlotte Goodwill Community Resource Center at 24123 Peachland Blvd (inside the Kings Highway Goodwill). Our staff is there M – F from 9am – 4:30 pm and can assist to speed up their wait time to get help.

-----Florida SBDC:  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.  Current clients are urged to schedule an appointment by calling ahead: 239-745-3700 or email us at: sbdc@fgcu.edu 

SBA Funding Flyer with QR code     SBA_Business_Nonprofit_Disaster_Loan Flyer     SBA_Economic Injury Diasaster _Loan_ Flyer
SBA_Fact_Sheet_ HELENE                 SBA_Fact_Sheet_MILTON                                       SBA_Home_Renters_Disaster_Loan_Flyer 091824

The deadline to apply for SBA disaster assistance for physical damage caused by Hurricane Helene was extended to January 7, 2025. If your business has sustained physical damage due to the recent disaster, we strongly encourage you to apply for this critical funding before the deadline.  The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest loans to help businesses.  How to Apply:  Apply for an SBA disaster loan online.  Apply by mail. Download the paper forms that you will need to complete.

-----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.

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
• On the FEMA mobile app
• Call 800.621.3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST
• At a DRC - Opening October 31 at 1 p.m. - The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is open 7 a.m.-7 p.m., seven days a week at Tringali Park Community Center, 3460 N. Access Road in Englewood.

• Your address and zip code
• Condition of your damaged home
• Insurance information, if available
• Social Security number
• Phone number where you can be contacted
• Address where you can get mail or email address to receive electronic notifications

----- Disaster Assistance through COAD

• Displaced homeowners and renters
• Low income according to HUD standards (80% of the area median income), e.g., up to $45,050 for a one-person household or $51,540 for a two-person household
• Head of household aged 60+ home to individuals with disabling conditions

Eligibility for home repair programs depends on factors like property ownership, tax status, and the severity of the damage to your home. If you believe you meet these income criteria and have unmet needs from the recent hurricanes, visit www.coadfl.org and click the Get Started button.

-----Storm Debris:  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.

-----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 https://southernsmoke.org/emergency-relief/

-----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.

-----United at Work is here for you-Get Connected Get Help.  United at Work enhances Charlotte County's workforce by offering referrals to community services and support for personal financial emergencies to employees of participating businesses.   Start with FEMA & Insurance.  If you still have needs after working with FEMA and Insurance, fill out the United at Work Application.  Our staff will reach out to you to gather more information and to inform you of resources and next steps.  If you are an employee in Charlotte County, Florida who has unmet needs related to the hurricane, you may be eligible for help through United at Work.  United Way of Charlotte County has partnered with the Elsa & Peter Soderberg Charitable Foundation to provide assistance to victims of Hurricane Ian who are employed in Charlotte County. Funds will be disbursed to those who qualify.  United Way of Charlotte County (941) 627-3539.  Details on this fund are available here.
To apply for assistance, click here.

-----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.  They publish great information on how to find a reputable contractor and not be scammed.

-----Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate (850) 413-5923 MyFloridaCFO.com/division/ica/

-----Fraud:  Anyone who believes a representative or work crew is fraudulent and misrepresenting the government should contact local law enforcement.  To report scams, fraud, and identity-theft contact FEMA’s toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.  You may also call the Florida Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection Division Fraud Hotline at 1-866-966-7226 or contact local law enforcement agencies.