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Look below for a list of helpful hints and resources for Hurricane Victims.
Look below for a list of helpful hints and resources for Hurricane Victims.
Federal Resources
HHS Resources
Non-Profit Resources
HUD resources
Florida State & Local Resources
Federal Resources
Federal Resources
FEMA has provided the following tips for Hurricane survivors:
FEMA Assistance: Go to DisasterAssistance.gov for information and to apply for assistance.
Under “Help,” the “Contact Us” page has a section for Disaster Fraud. Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 (711 or VRS 1-800-621-3362, TTY 1-800-462-7585) 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Find a Disaster Recovery Center at fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or by texting DRC and a zip code to 43362.
Ready.Gov/Hurricanes: Webpage with tips and info sheet links for pre/post storm safety from the Department of Homeland Security.
American Red Cross: Visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for
resources and assistance. Hover over “Get Help” and click on “Disaster Relief & Recovery Services.” Scroll down to “Hurricane” in the Emergency Resource Library for shelter location, local Red Cross contact information, and other resources. Click on “Latest News” in the “About Us” menu for more articles on topics ranging from preparedness on flash flooding (written 9/5) to the Red Cross’ relief plan updates.
American Red Cross Safe and Well: To check on family and friends, visit safeandwell.org. Find phone numbers above.
National Weather Service: Hurricane safety tips, updates and resources on their website: weather.gov/safety/hurricane. Go to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration’s website, noaa.gov/, and under “Find your local weather,” type in a city and state to “See full local forecast” to a page with information and a link for additional updates.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans: The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans for
businesses, homeowners, renters, and most private nonprofit organizations. To apply or for
more information, visit disasterloan.sba.gov/ela, call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY/TDD: 1-800-877-8339) or email [email protected].
Mortgage Relief: Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers mortgage relief options to
Hurricane Irma and Michael survivors in Florida. If you have an FHA loan and are struggling to make payments, are in danger of foreclosure or have questions about your loan, visit the FHA Resource Center at hud.gov/complaints/customer_service or call (800) 225-5342.
For more information, visit hud.gov. Excerpted from FEMA Fact Sheet No. FS-045, After the Disaster Assistance Registration Deadline (Dec.26, 2017).
FEMA Assistance: Go to DisasterAssistance.gov for information and to apply for assistance.
Under “Help,” the “Contact Us” page has a section for Disaster Fraud. Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 (711 or VRS 1-800-621-3362, TTY 1-800-462-7585) 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Find a Disaster Recovery Center at fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or by texting DRC and a zip code to 43362.
Ready.Gov/Hurricanes: Webpage with tips and info sheet links for pre/post storm safety from the Department of Homeland Security.
American Red Cross: Visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for
resources and assistance. Hover over “Get Help” and click on “Disaster Relief & Recovery Services.” Scroll down to “Hurricane” in the Emergency Resource Library for shelter location, local Red Cross contact information, and other resources. Click on “Latest News” in the “About Us” menu for more articles on topics ranging from preparedness on flash flooding (written 9/5) to the Red Cross’ relief plan updates.
American Red Cross Safe and Well: To check on family and friends, visit safeandwell.org. Find phone numbers above.
National Weather Service: Hurricane safety tips, updates and resources on their website: weather.gov/safety/hurricane. Go to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration’s website, noaa.gov/, and under “Find your local weather,” type in a city and state to “See full local forecast” to a page with information and a link for additional updates.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans: The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans for
businesses, homeowners, renters, and most private nonprofit organizations. To apply or for
more information, visit disasterloan.sba.gov/ela, call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY/TDD: 1-800-877-8339) or email [email protected].
Mortgage Relief: Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers mortgage relief options to
Hurricane Irma and Michael survivors in Florida. If you have an FHA loan and are struggling to make payments, are in danger of foreclosure or have questions about your loan, visit the FHA Resource Center at hud.gov/complaints/customer_service or call (800) 225-5342.
For more information, visit hud.gov. Excerpted from FEMA Fact Sheet No. FS-045, After the Disaster Assistance Registration Deadline (Dec.26, 2017).
HHS Resources
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
The website for the Office for Civil Rights of HHS provides information on effective planning, response and recovery for people who have special needs.
Before, during and after a disaster, members of this population may have additional needs to maintain independence, communication, transportation, supervision and medical care. Visit hhs.gov/sites/ocr/civilrights/resources/specialtopics/emergencypre/eptraining.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): The SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline, a national hotline, offers year-round disaster crisis counseling. You may call 800-985- 5990 (TTY 800-846- 8517) 24 hours a day, seven days a week (toll-free, multilingual crisis support). Visit www.samhsa.gov.
Before, during and after a disaster, members of this population may have additional needs to maintain independence, communication, transportation, supervision and medical care. Visit hhs.gov/sites/ocr/civilrights/resources/specialtopics/emergencypre/eptraining.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): The SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline, a national hotline, offers year-round disaster crisis counseling. You may call 800-985- 5990 (TTY 800-846- 8517) 24 hours a day, seven days a week (toll-free, multilingual crisis support). Visit www.samhsa.gov.
Non-Profit Resources
Non-Profit Resources
Call 211 to find out whether you are eligible for non-profit assistance.
FEMA’S REBUILDING TIPS
Examples of Flood-Smart-Building Techniques:
These Modifications or Retrofits to Existing Residential Buildings Can Reduce Future Wind Damage:
FEMA’S REBUILDING TIPS
Examples of Flood-Smart-Building Techniques:
- Elevate and secure water heaters, furnaces and other appliances (such as washers and dryers) on pressure-treated wood or masonry so that they sit at least 12 inches above the floor level.
- Install backflow preventers and check valves to plumbing to ensure waste water and sewage flow out of your house. Floor drains and standpipes can also prevent flood or waste water from collecting in your home.
- Install a sump pump with a battery or water-powered backup system.
- Install all electrical panel boxes, circuit breakers, wall switches and outlets at least one foot above the base flood elevation for your area.
- Anchor any indoor or outdoor fuel tanks with non-corrosive metal bindings to prevent them from being swept away.
- Close up any cracks in the ceiling or foundation with a waterproof sealant. Flood waters can flow through even the smallest cracks and will quickly turn cracks into gaping holes.
- Install wire mesh guards over your gutters to prevent debris from clogging them and creating pockets of standing water on your roof.
- Severe wind can accompany other natural hazards such as hurricanes and strong thunderstorms. It poses a threat to lives, property and vital utilities and will typically cause the greatest damage to structures of light construction, particularly manufactured homes.
These Modifications or Retrofits to Existing Residential Buildings Can Reduce Future Wind Damage:
- Install hurricane straps made from galvanized steel. They attach to trusses and wall plates.
- Install hurricane shutters.
- Retrofit gable end walls to eliminate wall failures in high winds.
- Strengthen the structural frames with load-path connectors.
- Install a safe room.
- Reinforce garage doors.
- Inspect and retrofit roofs to adequate standards to provide wind resistance.
- Secure all outside items that could become missiles in a strong wind event.
- Be sure to obtain necessary permits and follow all local building codes when rebuilding or making repairs. Contact your local code officials before beginning any construction to ensure that you meet all floodplain management requirements.
- For more information about rebuilding or repairing after a disaster, visit Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards.
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HUD resources
U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)
Section 203(h) Mortgage Insurance for Disaster Victims helps survivors get a mortgage for a new home or rebuild their damaged one. Section 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance gives homebuyers and owners two options:
To find an approved lender near you: visit hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/lender/lenderlist or contact the Federal Housing Authority Resource Center at (800) 225-5342.
- Buy or refinance a house and its rehabilitation costs with a single mortgage; or
- Finance the rehabilitation of your existing home.
To find an approved lender near you: visit hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/lender/lenderlist or contact the Federal Housing Authority Resource Center at (800) 225-5342.
Florida State & Local Resources
Florida State & Local Resources
Florida 211: Floridians seeking information about disaster-related services and unmet needs
may call Florida 211, a statewide referral service. Call 211 to find resources in your community, such as food, childcare and crisis counseling.
Florida Division of Emergency Management: Call 800-815-4000 to receive information
regarding Hurricane Michael recovery and resources, or visit floridadisaster.org/info/.
Available Housing Information: Florida residents who have been displaced by Hurricane
Michael may search for available housing on FloridaHousingSearch.org.
Property owners and managers can add and/or update listings of available units. Log in or call toll-free 877-428- 8844 for assistance.
Services for Seniors: Florida has numerous programs and services for seniors. Details can be found on the Department of Elder Affairs website at: elderaffairs.state.fl.us/doea/programs.php.
Mental Health Services: The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote and
improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community
efforts. There are resources available for supporting the mental and emotional health needs of children and families before, during and after a disaster. Visit floridahealth.gov/programs-
and- services/emergency-preparedness- and-response/prepare-yourself/behavioral-
health/index.html.
People with Disabilities: The Florida Developmental Disabilities Resources website is a resource for individuals with developmental disabilities living in or moving to the state of Florida. Its primary purpose is to help individuals with developmental disabilities find a provider who best meets their needs. Visit flddresources.qlarant.com/
Employment: The Employ Florida Hurricane Michael Recovery Jobs Portal, administered by the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), provides links to recovery and cleanup jobs across the state. Employers may also post job openings on the site. Visit
disasterrecovery.employflorida.com/vosnet/Default.aspx.
Health and Safety: After a disaster, safety is a primary issue, as are mental and physical well-being. For information on potential health hazards and staying well, visit floridahealth.gov and ready.gov/health-safety-guidelines.
Florida Businesses Impacted by Disaster: Florida Virtual Business Emergency Operations Center provides information and resources for registered businesses impacted by a disaster, including news and what to do after a disaster. Businesses may also share the extent of damage they suffered. Visit flvbeoc.org.
Florida Division of Emergency Management: The state of Florida’s Division of Emergency
Management official portal for businesses provides a toolkit of information to help prepare for and recover from disasters. Visit floridadisaster.org/dem.