This page will be updated with new links as they become available, check back often for new information and comment below if you know of a resource to add.
This blog includes sections on:
- Volunteer & assistance resources
- Marine stakeholder, business, and landowner information
- Spotting scams and reporting fraud
- Insurance guidance
- Beaches & water quality
- Displaced/derelict vessels
- Navigational hazards
- Mold/flood damage & safety
- Helpful apps
- Mental health assistance
- Other notifications
See https://www.floridadisaster.org/ for additional updates.
Volunteer & Assistance resources
- Request cleanup assistance: call the Idalia hotline at (800) 451-1954 or submit request at https://www.crisiscleanup.org/about by September 15th. Assistance is free but not guaranteed.
- Volunteer: Looking to help our communities impacted by the storm?
- Start with:
- Volunteer Organization Active in a Disaster https://voadflorida.wpengine.com/
- Volunteer Florida https://www.volunteerflorida.org/
- Donate to Volunteer Florida https://www.volunteerflorida.org/donate/
- Start with:
- Volunteer: Cedar Key International Coastal Cleanup is Sept 16th. More information https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-coastal-cleanup-cedar-key-tickets-673843372667
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State Assistance Information Line (SAIL): Florida Dept. of Emergency Management’s 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. Residents can call the SAIL hotline at 1-800-342-3557
- DONATE
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- Florida 4H Fund – https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/003603-florida-4-h-fund/?appeal=GSSOSAH&fbclid=IwAR1vlsNBCsq_sBxYW4z8TRgIajCO375syU4OEK7eP0dlJNqDFdaw1SwRmxE
- Florida Farm Bureau – https://floridafarmbureau.org/news/florida-farm-bureau-establishes-relief-fund/
- Florida FFA – https://donorbox.org/betterdaysfund
- FL Cattlemen’s Association – https://fca.memberclicks.net/emergency-info
- Gators Helping Gators – https://affinitygiving.ufl.edu/campaigns/gators-helping-gators
- Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs)
- Suwannee County – Agricultural Coliseum Exhibition Building 2, 1302 SW 11 Street, Live Oak, FL 32064, Open 9AM-7PM, Monday-Sunday
Levy County – Inglis Community Center, 137 Hwy 40, Inglis, FL 34449, Open 9AM-7PM, Monday-Sunday - Dixie County – Dixie County Public Library, 16328 SE US-19, Cross City, FL 32628, Open 9AM-8PM, Monday-Sunday
- Hamilton County – Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce, 1153 NW US Hwy 41, Jasper, FL 32052, Open 8AM-8PM, Monday-Sunday
- Lafayette County – Mayo Community Center, 150 NW Community Center, Mayo, FL 32066, Open 8AM-7PM, Monday-Sunday
- Madison County – Career Source North Florida, 705 E Base Street, Madison, FL, Open 8AM-8PM, Monday-Sunday
- Suwannee County – Agricultural Coliseum Exhibition Building 2, 1302 SW 11 Street, Live Oak, FL 32064, Open 9AM-7PM, Monday-Sunday
- The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is staging mobile field hospitals and emergency rooms in Taylor, Suwannee, and Madison counties. A mobile medical unit is up and running in Madison County. Seven strike teams are deployed supporting ground and aerial EMS transport.
- Boil water notices: Notices can be found on the DOH website here. Instructions on safe water use during a boil water notice can be found here.”
- The Florida Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) has released more than $104 million in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits early in preparation/response to Hurricane Idalia for over 327,000 households that would normally receive their September SNAP benefit between the 1st – 14th of the month. This applies to SNAP households located in one of the 49 designated counties in Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order. Eligible recipients will have the benefits automatically added to their EBT card. There is no need for recipients to apply.
Marine & Business Stakeholder information
- Florida Sea Grant has compiled Hurricane Idalia disaster relief resources for your industries. https://www.flseagrant.org/resources-for-floridas-fisheries-and-aquaculture-industries-impacted-by-hurricane-idalia/
- Updated Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program – The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program provides short-term, zero-interest working capital loans that are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer-term recovery funding such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims or other resources.
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- Loans are available up to $50,000 per eligible applicant.
- $100,000 higher limit for agricultural small businesses; and
- $5 million set aside for agricultural small businesses.
- Loans are available up to $50,000 per eligible applicant.
- Loans made under this program are short-term, personal loans using State of Florida funds – they are not grants and must be repaid. Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans require repayment by the approved applicant. Owners may utilize funding from longer-term financial resources, such as U.S. Small Business Administration economic injury disaster loans, to repay the Emergency Bridge Loan.
- The loans are currently available to businesses established before August 31, 2023, located in Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Colombia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion , Nassau, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia and Wakulla. More information and an application link are available at https://floridacommerce.my.site.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund/s/loan-programs?program=emergency-bridge-loan.
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- FEMA Individual Assistance is available to individuals and households in need of financial and direct services who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs. Impacted individuals with insurance and residents outside of declared counties are still encouraged to apply.
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- Individual Assistance is currently available in Citrus, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Suwannee, Taylor, Columbia, Gilchrist, Hernando, Jefferson, Madison and Pasco Counties.
- Individuals can apply in multiple ways:
- Apply for disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov
- Download the FEMA mobile app
- Call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time
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- Report Agriculture & Aquaculture impacts: UF/IFAS researchers are studying the agricultural losses and damages resulting from Hurricane Idalia. Click on the link below to share information about impacts experienced at your farm, ranch, or aquaculture operation. https://go.ufl.edu/idaliaagimpacts
- How is this data used? See Harmonizing the Assessment of the Impacts of Natural Disasters to Florida Agriculture (FE1075) https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1075
- Shellfish aquaculture relief programs: https://shellfish.ifas.ufl.edu/news/filing-hurricane-losses-with-usda-farm-service-agency/
- Commercial Fishing Information/Programs – coming soon
- Disaster Unemployment assistance https://www.floridajobs.org/Reemployment-Assistance-Service-Center/reemployment-assistance/claimants/apply-for-benefits
- FDEP Regulatory storm guidance regarding emergency final order authorizations for environmental resource permitting for docks, boat lifts and bulkheads. https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/Post%20Storm%20Guide%20on%20Environmental%20Resource%20Permitting_2022_0.pdf
- Assistance for livestock and animals in need: To request assistance for your livestock and animals in critical need, call 863-993-5460 between 8:00 am – 5:00pm or after-hours call 386-397-2732. Or contact DAIOPSAssessment@FDACS.gov
- Ag & Landowner resources (from M. Ellis, FWC Landowner Assistance Program):
- USDA offers several risk management and disaster assistance options to help producers recover after disasters. Producers who suffer losses and whose crops are covered for the 2023 crop year by the Federal Crop Insurance Program or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) are asked to report crop damage to their crop insurance agent or local FSA office, respectively, within 72 hours of discovering damage and follow up in writing within 15 days.
- Livestock and perennial crop producers often have more limited risk management options available, so there are several disaster programs for them. Key programs offered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency include:
- The Livestock Indemnity Program and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybee and Farm-raised Fish Program reimburses producers for a portion of the value of livestock, poultry and other animals that were killed or severely injured by a natural disaster or loss of feed and grazing acres.
- The Tree Assistance Program provides cost share assistance to rehabilitate or replant orchards and vineyards when storms kill or damage the trees, vines or bushes. NAP or Federal Crop Insurance often only covers the crop and not the plant.
- The Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program can assist landowners and forest stewards with financial and technical assistance to restore damaged farmland or forests.
- It is also critical that producers keep accurate records to document damage or loss and to report losses to their local USDA Service Center as soon as possible.
- Additionally, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service can provide financial resources through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help with immediate needs and long-term support to help recover from natural disasters and conserve water resources. USDA can also assist local government sponsors with the cost of recovery efforts like debris removal and streambank stabilization to address natural resource concerns and hazards through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program.
- On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet (PDF, 4.6 MB) and Loan Assistance Tool can help producers and landowners determine program or loan options. For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers and landowners should contact their crop insurance agent. For FSA and NRCS programs, they should contact their local USDA Service Center.
- More information available at https://www.usda.gov/hurricane-idalia and all of the above USDA information came from this article: https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2023/08/29/usda-encourages-ag-producers-residents-prepare-hurricane-idalia
Beaches & Water Quality
- New: Damage assessment imagery from NOAA: flight including Keaton Beach, Steinhatchee, Horseshoe Beach, Suwannee, and Cedar Key.
- Map of coverage areas: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/e73d7bf6079f4408aa80bbb30df8cd28/
- Imagery: https://storms.ngs.noaa.gov/storms/idalia/index.html#8.55/29.5217/-83.3737
- Water safety Many impacted areas may currently have Department of Health guidelines for using inland and coastal bodies of water. To check the status of your local beach see https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/beach-water-quality/index.html
- Or https://visitbeaches.org/beach/50/report/23521 and select your beach for updates
- Levy County park & boat ramp updates: https://www.levycounty.org/news_detail_T6_R309.php
- Water and wounds. Nutrient rich water and wounds do not mix. Do not enter coastal waters if you have fresh cuts or scrapes.
- Report hazardous spills. Report oil, gas and other hazardous waste spills https://floridadep.gov/dle/oer/content/reportable-incident
- Vibrio. Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacteria in warm, brackish seawater and can be a concern during times of elevated pollution, learn more about it here https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/vibrio-infections/vibrio-vulnificus/index.html
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- UF EDIS Documents regarding Vibrio with water use/seafood safety
- Red tide. Although hurricanes don’t cause red tide, elevated nutrients from post storm activities can trigger algal blooms including red tide if present in background concentrations and come in presence its fuel. Check red tide statuses here https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/
Spotting Scams, Reporting Fraud & Price Gouging
- Spotting scams: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2022/09/30/spotting-scams-after-the-storm/
- Avoid and report fraud: Remember, FEMA will never ask you for money to provide disaster assistance.
- Recognize fraud:
- FEMA employees will always have an official ID
- Don’t trust anyone who offers financial help & asks for money or personal info
- Always talk with someone you trust
- Ways to Report Fraud to FEMA
- Email: StopFEMAfraud@Fema.dhs.gov
- Call: 1-866-223-0814, Fax: 202-212-4926
- For more information visit fema.gov/disaster-fraud
- Recognize fraud:
- Report Price Gouging in Florida: Call: 1-866-966-7226
Insurance guidance
Basic steps to respond after a disaster:
- Once you ensure your safety, assess damages. Take pictures. Use a list of contents if you had one from before the storm. This does not have to be an exhaustive assessment or list at the beginning, but you don’t want to lose the opportunity to document damages before things start to get cleaned up/repaired.
- File a claim by contacting your insurance company by phone or by internet as soon as possible. The sooner the process starts, the sooner you should be able to get it completed and get paid. Don’t worry, if you later realize you missed something in the claim, you should, with evidence, be able to add that to your claim. When you begin your claim, be sure to get a claim number that you will use through the entire process.
- When talking to your insurance company or agent, find out if you have coverage for additional living expenses (ALE) for things like hotel and food if you cannot live in your house due to damage.
- If necessary, do what is possible to secure the building against additional damages. Make sure to keep both pictures of before and after any temporary repairs and to keep track of expenses for emergency/temporary repairs. These should be reimbursable.
- More at: https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/publication-post-disaster-claims-guide.pdf
- Making an insurance claim: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/DH199
- Florida Homeowner’s Disaster Handbook has information about homeowner’s insurance after a storm: https://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/media/disasterifasufledu-/docs/Florida-Homeowners-Handbook.pdf
- Gulf of Mexico Sea Grant guidance document on property insurance basics https://gulfseagrant.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MASGP-23-015.pdf
Displaced/Derelict Vessels and Marine Debris
- FWC Directive For Vessels in Florida Waters/State Owned Land – more coming soon
- Report storm damaged boats that might be lost or abandoned to your local law enforcement agency (preferred) or the FWC Division of Law Enforcement at 888-404-3922.
- Callers should be prepared to provide the vessel’s registration number, current location and detailed description.
- 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. The removal of displaced vessels can hasten the recovery and overall resilience of native marine plants and animals.
- Owners of vessels that have become derelict have 45 days from the day the hurricane passed over the state to either remove their boats from waters of the state or bring it into a non-derelict condition. It’s important for boat owners to know that they have options regarding the future of their vessel.
- Owners of displaced vessels who lack the resources to have their boat repaired, or if their vessel is determined to be beyond repair, may release ownership of their vessel. This process can be initiated by contacting the FWC and requesting to turn over a displaced vessel. An FWC representative will then contact the owner to explain the waiver process and facilitate the potential turnover of ownership.
- Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) directive for reporting of vessel or other titled property and debris on uplands and marine debris – coming soon
- Debris cleanup hotline: The public can report vessels that are displaced on public or private property using the Debris Cleanup Hotline [number coming soon]. The public can also report storm debris that has been pushed on land or is in the water. When reporting a vessel, callers should be prepared to provide the vessel’s registration number, current location and detailed description of the vessel. When reporting debris, callers should be prepared to provide a detailed description of the type of debris and its approximate size, and a current location with GPS coordinated being preferred.
- FWC Vessel Turn In Program (VTIP) https://myfwc.com/boating/waterway/vtip/
Navigational Hazards
- FWC reminds boaters: Use caution after Hurricanes
- Report Missing, Damaged or Found Navigational Markers https://myfwc.com/boating/waterway/markers/damaged-or-missing/
- FWC boat ramp locator with current updates on open and closed areas to launch vessels https://gis.myfwc.com/BoatRampFinder/
- Park and boat ramp closures – coming soon
- FWC managed areas closure status: https://myfwc.com/recreation/notices/
- FWC Marine Debris Reporting GIS Map https://myfwc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=cf83925c7f7d4bdc83a4bebafc05a4df
- Use KnowWake App on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to report any navigation hazards (floating debris, shallow water, no passage etc) so that other boaters are aware and can avoid a situation damaging or disabling their vessel. This crowd sourced program is free and operates similar to the Waze app for traffic https://www.knowwake.com/
Mold/Flood damage & Safety
- Remember to use extreme caution when entering flooded structures and do not enter damaged structures. You may encounter sharp objects, slippery floors, uneven surfaces, and hazardous substances. The resources below cover how to stay safe during cleanup and recovery.
- General flooding recovery and safety info
- Extension Disaster Emergency Network https://extensiondisaster.net/hazard-resources/naturally-occurring/flood/
- UF/IFAS Disaster repository https://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/
- LSU Cleanup Safety Overview https://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/kkramer/articles/page1471624895743 (pdf version)
- Texas A&M safety fact sheet https://texashelp.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ER019-after-disaster-recovery-safety-tips.pdf
- Food Safety After a Disaster
- CDC https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/facts.html
- UF/IFAS Food Safety Help
- Safe Handling of Food and Water https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FS131
- Food Safety in Hurricane season https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/orangeco/2022/09/23/food-safety-during-hurricane-season/
- Food Safety After a Disaster https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/orangeco/2022/10/04/food-safety-after-a-natural-disaster/
- Food Safety after a Hurricane https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2020/09/18/after-a-hurricane-keep-food-safety-in-mind/
- Food Safety after a Power Outage https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2022/09/26/when-in-doubt-throw-it-out-and-other-food-safety-tips-for-power-outages/
- Flooded Homes Cleanup Guidance: https://www.epa.gov/flooded-homes
- What to Wear when cleaning up: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/cleanup/cleanup-debris-after-disaster.html
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- DIY cleanup videos https://www.epa.gov/flooded-homes/doing-it-yourself#dry
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- Mold cleanup: Homeowner’s and Renter’s Guide To Mold Cleanup After Disasters https://www.cdc.gov/mold/pdfs/Homeowners_and_Renters_Guide.pdf
- Reduce your Exposure to Mold in your Home https://www.cdc.gov/mold/reduce-your-exposure-to-mold.html
- What to Wear Before Entering a Home or Building with Mold Damage https://www.cdc.gov/mold/What-to-Wear.html
- FIRE SAFETY: Florida Forest Service is asking Floridians in areas impacted by Hurricane Idalia to use caution when burning debris piles. Since smoke can travel great distances, be mindful of your neighbors as many are still without power and most homes have open windows. Burn piles must be less than 8 feet in diameter, extinguished one hour before sunset, and there are required setbacks from your house, forests, and roads. To learn more, visit BeWildfireReadyFL.com.
- Flooded Wells & Septic
- Private Wells 101 https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/SS700
- What to do after your well is flooded https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/mrec/2020/08/06/what-should-i-do-after-my-drinking-well-is-flooded/
- Flooding & Septic Systems https://water.ifas.ufl.edu/media/waterifasufledu/septic-systems/Flooding-and-Septic-Systems.pdf
- Generator safety
- Generator safety tips https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/taylorco/2017/11/03/portable-generator-safety-tips/
- Portable generator safety tips https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/miami-dade/documents/disaster-preparation/hurricane-and-disaster/Portable_Generator_Safety_Tips_June_2012.pdf
- Safe generator use Red Cross https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/power-outage/safe-generator-use.html
- Chainsaw safety https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/fr170
- Increased mosquito risk https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2023/04/21/floods-warm-temperatures-promote-mosquito-production-uf-ifas-expert-explains-what-to-expect-how-to-protect/
Mortgage Forbearance
- If you cannot pay bills, contact lenders as soon as possible and ask for disaster recovery assistance. The lender may agree to temporarily change the loan terms.
- Allows borrower to pause or lower mortgage payments
- Must be granted by the lender.
- Typically, won’t be charged late fees.
- Repay missed payments, either in lump sum or with repayment plan
- Find out details from the lender
Helpful Apps
- Florida Storms – Florida Public Radio Emergency Network Google Play iTunes
- Florida 511 – Get up-to-the-minute, real-time traffic conditions and incident information for the State of Florida with Florida 511.
- FEMA – mobile app
- Red Cross – mobile app
- Everbridge – mobile app
- Gas Buddy – Gas station availability
Mental health assistance
- Disaster mental health training from PIE Center
- Disaster mental health information and resources from the CDC SAMHSA information on disaster distress and recovery
- SAMHSA information on children and families coping with disaster Tips for talking with children
- Caring for children after disaster
- Information on Psychological First Aid for people helping out during a disaster Chrysalis Health
- National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)-Florida Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention
- Florida Suicide Prevention Implementation Project Florida Veteran Support Line
- Accredited Financial Counselors
Other notifications
- The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has FLHSMV has issued Emergency Order 082623, available at: flhsmv-eo-082623-invest-93l.pdf
- waives specific requirements for commercial motor vehicles providing emergency relief;
- waive the hours-of-service requirements for such vehicles; and
- waives the replacement fees for driver’s license and identification credentials, vehicle registrations and titles, vessel registrations and titles, and temporary parking permits for impacted individuals.
Featured image by elroce – stock.adobe.com
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