Hurricane Help

Help for Hurricane victims

 

FLUMC – Disaster Recovery Support 1-855-228-3862 They can assist with cleaning flooded homes, tarping, debris removal and chainsaw work. 

 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on September 24th that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Florida to supplement response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Helene beginning September 23rd and continuing. FEMA’s helpline toll-free at 800-621-3362  

For FEMA disaster recovery updates following Hurricane Helene, check https://www.fema.gov/      

FEMA recommends homeowners and renters affected by Hurricane Helene take the following actions: 

  • Report any damage to your local emergency management agency.
  • Make sure to document any property damage with photos and contact your insurance company for assistance and next steps.
  • Keep repair receipts.
  • Be aware of safety concerns and separate debris for collection as instructed by local officials. 

Federal Emergency Declaration 

Public Assistance: State, local, tribal and territorial governments and certain private-non-profit organizations in these designated counties are eligible for assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Learn more about the Public Assistance program. 

FEMA is authorized to provide Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support at 75 percent federal funding for the counties of Bay, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla.

FEMA is also authorized to provide Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance for the counties of Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Escambia, Hamilton, Holmes, Marion, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Sumter, Union, Walton, and Washington. 

 

Disaster Recovery Centers 

Disaster Recovery Centers provide disaster survivors with information from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Disaster survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates on applications. 

As Disaster Recovery Centers open post-landfall, you can find the location closest to you https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator

 

Florida Division of Emergency Management 

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) has outlined all available resources for Floridians and will continue to update as resources become available.  

Visit https://www.floridadisaster.org/disaster-updates/storm-updates/ for more information. 

Crisis Cleanup 

If you need help with damages caused by Hurricane Helene, call Crisis Cleanup: 844-965-1386

Volunteer Resources 

  • Disaster Legal Hotline is open to assist and refer callers. The number is 833-514-2940
  • Samaritan’s Purse hotline: 1-833-747-1234 
    • Free Assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster.
    • Volunteers may be able to assist with removal of personal property and furniture, flood cleanup, sanitizing with shockwave treatment, chainsaw work & Debris Clean-up, temporary roof tarping.
  • 2-1-1 is open and ready to receive calls 
    • Individuals can call for up-to-the-minute information including school closures and sandbag distributions.
    • Local Social Services Referral.
  • Red Cross Hotline is open to assist survivors: 1-800-Red Cross
  • Florida Baptists Disaster Relief Public Assistance: 904-253-0502 or text Helene to 27123 
    • Free Assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster.
    • Volunteers may be able to assist with Storm Debris Cleanup, Temporary Roof Tarping, Chainsaw work and Muck outs

Activate Hope Disaster Assistance Form

Serving as the emergency response arm for the Hope Florida initiative, Activate Hope pulls together the private sector, nonprofits, and government resources to help Floridians get back on their feet following a natural disaster. Activate Hope helps connect Floridians with outside resources to provide food, household goods, home repairs, and more.  

 

Florida Department of Children and Family 

Current SNAP recipients who lost food due to Hurricane Helene can apply for food replacement. To learn more, visit http://myflfamilies.com/Helene.  

 

Feeding Tampa Bay 

In partnership with the Tampa Bay area Emergency Operations Centers, Feeding Tampa Bay works directly with local emergency management operations to provide food, water and hygiene items to their service area, state and neighboring states during crisis situations. For more information about the resources Feeding Tampa Bay is offering following Hurricane Helene, visit https://feedingtampabay.org/ways-we-serve/disaster-relief

 

If you have been affected by Hurricane Helene and need additional assistance, please call Feeding Tampa Bay’s Neighbor Services helpline: 813-710-9003

 

Local Agency information: 

Pinellas County: https://pinellas.gov/emergency-information

Hillsborough County: https://hcfl.gov/residents/stay-safe/storm-recovery-resources

St. Petersburg: https://www.stpete.org/residents/public_safety/hurricane_helene_recovery_assistance.php

Tampa: https://www.tampa.gov/emergency-management/hurricane-information

 

You can also follow your county and cities Social Media pages (like Facebook, X (twitter) etc.) 

 

Sign up for your city’s Emergency Alert programs both Tampa and Pinellas County have them. 

Alert Tampa (from Tampa.gov website)

  •  Follow @AlertTampa on Twitter
  • Text TAMPAREADY to 888-777
  • Text TAMPALISTA to 888-777 for alerts in Spanish
  • Register at Tampagov.net/AlertTampa for voicemails and emails

Pinellas County’s  (From Pinellas.gov website) register at https://pinellas.gov/alert-pinellas/

 

Additional Resources for Families

BabyCycle Diaper Bank: Located at 6543 46th St. N #1102 in Pinellas Park, BabyCycle provides essential supplies like diapers to families in need.

Mutual Aid Disaster Relief: A grassroots network offering disaster assistance through solidarity and direct action.

 

American Red Cross Relief Efforts

The American Red Cross has deployed hundreds of disaster workers and provided shelter to more than 2,600 people. Their relief efforts will continue throughout the recovery process. To donate or volunteer, visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

 

CARE Emergency Cash Assistance

CARE is providing emergency cash assistance to help families in underserved areas affected by Hurricane Helene. These funds support critical needs such as food, water, housing, and medication. To learn more or donate, visit CARE’s website.

 

Need Assistance? 

  • Call the Florida State Assistance Information Line for additional resources and updated information: 1-800-342-3557 
    • In case of an emergency, please hang up and dial 911
    • There are English, Spanish and Creole speakers available to answer questions. 

 

After a Storm 

  • If you were advised to evacuate, do not return home until local emergency managers say it is safe to do so.
  • Be mindful of debris and down power lines.
  • Do not drive or walk around outside if you do not have to.
  • Use extreme caution when operating heavy machinery, generators, or while removing debris. Never use generators indoors and keep them away from windows, doors and vents. 
  • Stay off roads so that emergency workers are able to get through.
  • Do not drive or walk through flood waters. Be aware of downed power lines, standing water and other hidden hazards. 

 

Hurricane Preparedness Resources Websites 

  • FEMA: Visit FEMA for up-to-date information, support, services and to apply for disaster assistance following a storm.
  • SBA: Visit SBA to learn about low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from a major disaster.
  • FloridaDisaster.org: Visit FloridaDisaster.org for resources and information on creating a personalized emergency plan for your family.
  • National Hurricane Center: Visit NHC for the latest updates on tropical weather threats.

Other Helpful Accounts on Twitter 

See the latest from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at floridadisaster.org or @FLSERT on Twitter. 

 

Dear Christ Church Family, Due to severe weather in our area tomorrow, and out of an abundance of caution, ALL SERVICES ARE CANCELLED FOR SUNDAY AUGUST 4th. The safety of our church family and staff is of the utmost importance. Be safe, be kind, help your family and neighbors, and pray for the safety of everyone that may be affected by this storm.