Friday, September 30, 2022

Florida Hurricane Recovery Resource List for People, Businesses and Volunteers



FLORIDADISASTER.BIZ
DEO is updating www.FloridaDisaster.biz with real-time information for business owners, families, and employees throughout the preparation, response and recovery phases of Hurricane Ian.


BUSINESS DAMAGE ASSESSMENT SURVEY
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Ian. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Ian recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of affected businesses.


ACCOMMODATIONS / HOUSING

Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM)
FDEM has compiled a Shelter in Place Survey to provide critical information to first responders in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. We are asking all individuals in the impact area of Hurricane Ian that made the decision to shelter in place to complete the survey. Please visit FloridaDisaster.org/Info to find the Shelter in Place Survey.
FDEM has activated the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) to provide an additional resource for Floridians to receive up-to-date information regarding Hurricane Ian. Residents and visitors can call this toll-free hotline at 1-800-342-3557.
FDEM Liaisons have been identified and deployed to counties to provide on-site response assistance and to conduct damage assessments after the storm.

Florida Housing Finance Corporation
Florida Housing has ensured that all current listings are up to date in the event that families need to quickly relocate at www.FloridaHousingSearch.org.
Each SHIP office has an adopted disaster strategy that allows for assistance in the immediate aftermath of a declared disaster. Strategies may include temporary relocation and rental assistance, debris removal and short-term repairs to prevent further damage to the structure or to allow for occupancy until further repairs are made. Please contact your local office directly for more information: Local Government Information (floridahousing.org)

Airbnb
Airbnb has partnered directly with Sarasota County for a county-specific voucher program administered by the County.

Expedia Emergency Accommodations Module
Throughout Hurricane Ian, VISIT FLORIDA has activated its Emergency Accommodations Module with Expedia to provide real-time hotel availability to impacted travelers throughout the state. This module is automatically populated from Florida inventory information provided to Expedia.
For Accommodations
If you haven’t already, we encourage you to add your property to Expedia, and keep your listing details and inventory as up to date as possible during the storm.
Listing your property on Expedia is FREE, and includes top travel booking websites such as Expedia.com, Hotels.com, Travelocity, and Orbitz. To learn more and sign up, click here.
Update Your Expedia Listing
Expedia’s lodging partners can continue to use their regular process for managing and updating their listing information. To log into your Expedia partner account, click here.

Pet Policies
It is estimated that 35% of Americans own a cat and that around 45% own dogs. With the US being a nation of pet lovers, it means tens of thousands of Floridians are seeking accommodation for the ENTIRE family. State officials are asking hotels and vacation rentals to waive their no-pet policies for animals and their owners seeking shelter during Hurricane Ian.

WIFI HOTSPOTS FROM COMCAST
Comcast has opened Xfinity WIFI hotspots in Central, North and Southwest Florida, and the Panhandle for Xfinity customers and non-customers to stay connected during and after the storm. Details are available here.


BUSINESS RESPONSE & RECOVERY PROGRAMS: FEDERAL
Enterprise Florida has included the following information on their Enterprise Florida Disaster Assistance page.

FEMA
Disaster victims can obtain additional information and apply for disaster assistance through FEMA in various ways. A toll-free number has been established by FEMA for disaster victims to apply for certain types of disaster programs and obtain information about others. You can obtain information by calling. Phone: (800) 621-FEMA (3362) – Website: www.fema.gov

SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration)
Small businesses and small agricultural cooperatives suffering a substantial economic injury may be eligible for an economic injury disaster loan of up to $1.5 million to meet necessary financial obligations – Bills the company would have paid if the disaster had not occurred. Phone: (800) 659-2955 – Website: www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance

Physical Disaster Loans SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration)
Businesses of all sizes may apply for a Physical Disaster Loan of up to 1.5 million to repair or replace damaged real estate, equipment, inventory and fixtures. These loans will cover uninsured or under-insured losses. Phone: (800) 659-2955 – Website: www.sba.gov

IRS Excise Tax
Description: IRS will waive tax penalties on disasters on a case-by-case basis. Phone: (800) 829-1040 – Website: www.irs.gov/businesses

FLORIDA DISASTER FUND
The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida's official private fund established to provide financial assistance to our communities as they respond to and recover from times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with public, private, and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities.
   If you’re looking for ways to help Floridians, the Florida Disaster Fund  deploys resources efficiently and effectively to Floridians directly impacted by Hurricane Ian. If you would like to contribute, please visit FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.
   Donations to the Florida Disaster Fund are made to the Volunteer Florida Foundation, 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and are tax-deductible.
   Checks should be made payable to the Volunteer Florida Foundation and should include “Florida Disaster Fund” in the memo line.
Volunteer Florida Foundation
Attention: Florida Disaster Fund
1545 Raymond Diehl Road Suite 250
Tallahassee, FL 32308

Volunteer Florida's Hurricane Ian Volunteer Opportunities
As Florida communities recover from the devastating impact of Hurricane Ian, Volunteer Florida has heard from many members who want to help and get their companies and employees involved in recovery efforts. If you are interested in learning more, a variety of opportunities can be found on the Volunteer Connect platform.

QUICK LINKS
VISIT FLORIDA encourages its industry partners to refer to the resources below for the most up to date safety information and emergency directives for the storm:
FloridaDisaster.org for the latest on the state’s response actions
FloridaDisaster.biz for emergency resources for businesses
FloridaDisasterFund.org to donate to provide financial assistance to our communities
The National Hurricane Center for current weather alerts and forecast information
The Executive Office of the Governor for the latest state executive orders
Follow FLSERT on Twitter for real time updates from the State’s Emergency Response Team
Florida 511 for the latest on traffic conditions
Alert Florida to signup for emergency alerts and other public safety notifications in your community
VISIT FLORIDA Hurricane Preparedness Resource





1 comment :

  1. Thank you Charlie Boyer for using your Jazz Blues Florida platform to create this very informative list for people of Florida needing assistance and people wanting to offer help in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

    ReplyDelete