ORLANDO, Fla. As state officials continue to assess residential and business damages from Hurricane Helene, Florida Realtors is providing additional resources that can assist in the recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said the damage from Helene appears to be greater than the combined damage of Hurricanes Idalia and Debby. The storm made landfall late Thursday in Taylor County with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph in the Big Bend area. Helene was the third hurricane to make landfall in Taylor County in a little over a year, after Idalia in August 2023 and Debby in August 2024.
Even with the storm gone, experts warn there are remaining dangers, including carbon monoxide poisoning from generators, residential fires and electrocution. Some immediate-needs resources include:
FEMA assistance:Businesses, homeowners and renters can apply for alow-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administrationin declared disaster areas. The loans are for personal and business losses not covered by insurance or FEMA.Individual FEMA assistanceis available as well. FEMA also sets upDisaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in impacted areas.
Shelters: Red Cross shelters are located in severely impacted areas.Locations can be found on the Red Cross websiteor by following local emergency officials on social media. Also, text "SHELTER" and your zip code to 43362 for locations. Storm victims in the Big Bend region can call (800) 729-3413 for assistance.
Insurance claims:Insurance companies must respond to a claim within seven calendar days and make a determination on that claim within 60 days.Click here for a complete list of Florida insurers.
For the National Flood Insurance Program, call 877-336-2627.
Home and business repairs: Before hiring a contractor, verify the individual or company is licensed and insured atwww.myfloridalicense.com.Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody also suggestsgetting multiple estimates and keeping alert for red flags.
Free WiFi hotspots: Comcast has opened 52,296 public Xfinity WiFi hotspots in areas it serves across Florida in Hurricane Helenes path. The free and public hotspots are open for anyone to use, including non-Xfinity customers in the following counties: Bay, Lee, Charlotte, Leon, Citrus, Levy, Franklin, Madison, Gadsden, Manatee, Hamilton, Sarasota, Hillsborough, Suwannee, Jackson, Taylor, Jefferson, Wakulla, Lafayette, Walton and Washington.
Disaster Relief Fund:The Florida Realtors Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) is available to Realtors, Realtor boards/associations and staffwhose primary residential home or real estate office sustain damages due to the storm. Business and individual damage applications for Hurricane Helene will be accepted until March 26, 2025. The DRF is accepting applications for other severe weather events as well.
2024 Florida Realtors President Gia Arvin, broker-owner with Matchmaker Realty in Gainesville, said members play a crucial role in fostering community support and recovery efforts. Arvin encouraged Realtors who are able donate to the Disaster Relief Fund.
Rebuilding after a storm like Hurricane Helene really comes down to recovery and resilience. Its not just about getting back to how things were; its about coming together as a community to ensure everyones safety and create a positive path forward, Arvin said.
Florida Realtors is here for you every step of the way, supporting not just our communities but also fellow Realtors during this challenging time. With the help of our Disaster Relief Fund, we can come back stronger than ever. Every bit of support provides essential resources to our Realtor family affected by the storm, restoring hope and rebuilding homes for those who need it most.
Donations may be completed securely online with a credit card. Or, if you prefer to mail in a tax-deductible donation, please make your check payable to "Florida Realtors Disaster Fund, attention Dave Garrison," and send the check to:
Florida Realtors Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 725025
Orlando, FL 32872-5025
2024 Florida Realtors
Source: https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2024/09/recovery-resources-hurricane-helene-victims
