APD > News & Information


We should all be prepared for disasters by having a plan, assessing our individual situations and needs, and knowing what to do in an emergency. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) wants to provide clients, waiver support coordinators, partners, providers, and staff with resources to help meet your needs in an emergency.

The resource links listed below contain information to help individuals plan for and recover from a disaster or emergency occurring within the state of Florida.

Be sure to check out the APD Emergency Preparedness Guide for more information on how to be prepared for disasters.

Hurricane Milton Information

Executive Orders

  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District has opened Operation Blue Roof which is available to impacted residents in Brevard, Citrus, Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Manatee, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie, Sumter and Volusia counties. This program is a free service for homeowners and permanently occupied rental properties, providing fiber-reinforced, industrial-strength sheeting to protect storm-damaged roofs until homeowners can make permanent repairs. Residents impacted by Hurricane Milton can sign up for this no-cost service by visiting blueroof.gov, calling 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258), or visiting a Right of Entry (ROE) collection center throughout the affected areas. ROE collection center locations are listed on blueroof.gov, where residents can sign up for Blue Roof assistance using an ROE form, which gathers information about the residence.
  • Hurricane Milton Florida – FEMA Individual Assistance (IA): As 10/12/2024 IA has been approved for the following Florida counties:
    Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Volusia

    The new IHP Max Grant award amount for FY24-25 is $43,600
    The new Serious Needs Assistance award amount for FY24-25 is $770

  • The following programs have been approved by FEMA as of 10/12/24:
    - Individuals and Households Program (IHP)
    - Clean and Sanitize Assistance
    - Waiver of Inspection Requirement prior to receiving Serious Needs Assistance

    • Hope Florida distribution sites open today:
      • Pinellas County:  Pinellas Park Performing Arts Ctr, 4951 78th Ave N, Pinellas Park, FL 33781 – Noon to 5pm
      • Pasco County:  Samuel W Pasco Park, 39835 Chancey Rd, Zephyrhills, FL 33542 – 10am to 3pm
      • Hillsborough County:  Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 604 W Ball St, Plant City, FL 33563 – 10am to 3pm
  • SNAP Benefits (DSNAP NOT turned on yet): Hot foods approved with SNAP EBT benefits: Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Volusia counties.  Available at participating retailers in the eligible counties until November 15, 2024. Recipients should check with retailers before making purchases to ensure participation. Examples of foods that may be purchased include hot deli foods, salad bars, prepared sandwiches, and fountain drinks.
    • Individual SNAP replacements open for Milton: https://www.myflfamilies.com/milton
    • SNAP Recipients who lost food due to Hurricane Milton can apply for food replacement. To apply, individuals must: be a current SNAP Recipient and complete the form by October 19th, 2024.
    • Households are required to provide verification of having a power outage of 4 or more hours or damage that caused food loss to their MYACCESS Account, except for households located in Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Desoto, Flagler, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, and Volusia.
    • For households in the following counties, complete the online replacement form and upload supporting verification of food loss to your MyACCESS Portal using “Other” as the document type.
      • Brevard, Clay, Duval, Glades, Hendry, Indian River, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, and Sumter.

 

Fuel Distribution Sites
FDEM is opening public fuel depot locations to support residents in Milton impacted counties. Fuel is ONLY for cars & only 10 gallons per car.
Sites will remain open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. every day:

  • Limit of 10 gallons per car: 
    • Tom Bennett Park
      280 Kay Rd.
      Bradenton, FL 34208
    • Plant City Stadium
      1810 S Park Rd.
      Plant City, FL 33563
    • Central Lot – Parking Lot
      800 1st Ave S.
      St. Petersburg, FL 33701  

Sites below opening on October 13.

    • New College of Florida – Heiser Natural Sciences Complex, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
      500 College Dr
      Sarasota, FL 34243
    • South Florida State College – Desoto Center,10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
      2251 NE Turner Ave
      Arcadia, FL 34266
    • Charlotte Sports Park - Open 7 am - 7 pm
      2300 El Jobean
      Port Charlotte, FL 33948
    • Suncoast Technical College
      Northport 4445 Career Lane
      North Port, FL 34289
    • St. Pete College Tarpon Springs
      600 E Klosterman Rd
      Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
    • East Bay Raceway
      6311 Burts Rd
      Tampa, FL 33619
  • State Assistance Information Line: Residents in need of information can call: 1-800-342-3557 for resources before and after Helene.
    There are English, Spanish and Creole speakers available to answer questions.
  • Crisis Cleanup: 844-965-1386
    For individuals who need help cleaning up damage from Hurricane Helene. Volunteers from local relief organizations may assist with muck out, trees, traps and debris. All services are free, but service in not guaranteed.
  • Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline: 833-514-2940
    Survivors of any natural disaster seeking free civil legal assistance may apply from anywhere in the state. The number is live during business hours and switches to a message-based system outside of business hours - 24/7 accessibility.

  • Power Outage Map: For up-to-date Power Outage Information - Florida Power Outages Map

  • American Red Cross Reunification Portal: If you need assistance locating or connecting with a loved one in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia or Florida because of Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton, the Red Cross may be able to help. Hurricane Milton / Hurricane Helene Reunification

Evacuation Orders - Free shelters and free transport assistance available
floridadisaster.org/evacuationorders
Call 800-729-3413 for Evacuation Assistance if your county has an evacuation order
floridadisaster.org/shelter-status
Pet-friendly and special needs shelters are open

Pinellas County issues evacuation orders for health care facilities in zones A, B, C

Pinellas County has issued mandatory evacuation orders for long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities and hospitals in evacuation zones A, B and C due to the threat posed by Hurricane Milton. This impacts six hospitals, 25 nursing homes and 44 assisted living facilities, totaling about 6,600 patients.
Pinellas County is in the potential path of the storm and could experience life-threatening storm surge, localized flooding and hurricane force winds, depends on where the storm makes landfall on Wednesday. Many coastal areas have barely begun to recover from Hurricane Helene.
The mandatory orders are only for these facilities, but Pinellas County is encouraging voluntary evacuation for residents in Zone A, B and C and mobile homes in advance of possible mandatory orders Monday. At-risk residents can evacuate only a few miles to higher ground and safe structures outside of Zone C. If evacuations are ordered, the County will open emergency shelters.

Latest storm/incident developments

  • All Pinellas County Government offices, including the Clerk of the Courts, Property Appraiser and Tax Collector, will be closed Monday through Wednesday. All County parks and preserves will also be closed Monday through Wednesday.
  • Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections will be open to the public on Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for voter registration. They will be closed to the public on Tuesday and Wednesday.
  • The opening of a Disaster Recovery Center scheduled for Monday at the Florida Botanical Gardens, Magnolia Room, has been postponed due to the storm threat.

Pinellas County response/action 

  • The County Information Center (CIC) is open for preparedness questions. Call (727) 464-4333. Residents who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact the CIC via online chat at bit.ly/PinellasChat   
  • Effective Sunday afternoon, the Florida Department of Emergency Management announced that anyone can take storm debris to the Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Facility via the 34th Street Gate. There is no charge for storm debris disposal and that gate will be open 24/7 until operations are shut down by Hurricane Milton.
  • Additional debris collection information is available here.
  • Sandbag distribution sites remain open for the unincorporated county:
    • John Chesnut Park, 2200 East Lake Road S, Palm Harbor (Monday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
    • Walsingham Park, 12615 102nd Ave., Seminole (Monday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
    • Note: Municipal residents should check with their cities for sandbag availability
  • Updates will be posted at disaster.pinellas.gov, sent out via Alert Pinellas and Ready Pinellas, and on Facebook @PinellasGov and X @PinellasGov; search hashtag #PCMilton
  • Now is the time to finalize your household’s preparedness plan. Find all the latest info at https://disaster.pinellas.gov. 

Advice & Information for Residents 

  • Purchase necessary items to complete your emergency kit, include everyone in your family including your pet(s). 
  • Prepare your home/business and gather important papers.  
  • If you have medical needs or require transportation assistance and are not already registered for the Special Needs Evacuation Program, call Emergency Management at (727) 464-3800. 
  • Know if you can shelter in place or if you may have to evacuate. Know what you will need, where you will go, and how long it will take.  

For more information on how to make your plan visit disaster.pinellas.gov.  

FEMA Assistance

  • FEMA Quick Reference Guide - Serious Needs Assistance

  • FEMA Daily Fact Sheet 001 – DR-4828-FL

  • FEMA Assistance for Floridians

  • FEMA has approved Major Disaster Declaration 4828-DR, including Individual Assistance for 17 counties listed below.
    Declared IA Counties –
    • Franklin
    • Wakulla
    • Jefferson
    • Madison
    • Taylor
    • Lafayette
    • Dixie
    • Levy
    • Citrus
    • Hernando
    • Pasco
    • Hillsborough
    • Pinellas
    • Manatee
    • Sarasota
    • Charlotte
    • Lee

    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 are encouraged to apply. Individuals can apply in multiple ways: Florida homeowners and renters who registered for FEMA disaster assistance after Hurricane Helene should stay in touch with FEMA to ensure the disaster assistance process stays on track.
    Survivors should update contact information as soon as possible because FEMA may need to reach them to perform virtual home inspections or get additional information.
    FEMA encourages survivors to request direct deposits of disaster assistance to their financial institution. Survivors should let FEMA know as soon as possible of any changes to their banking information.
    It’s important to note that FEMA disaster assistance checks cannot be forwarded. If you cannot access your home address, you can request the postal service to hold your mail.

Hurricane Helene Information

Executive Orders

  • To Register for State Non-Congregate Sheltering go to: https://hopeflorida.com/get-help/helene.html
    Click on the red "Hurricane Recovery" banner, then navigate to "Hurricane Helene Recovery"
    Survivors can also register for NCS by calling Hope Florida at (833) GET-HOPE
    As a condition of NCS eligibility, survivors should first register for assistance with FEMA

  • State Non-Congregate Sheltering Program - Fact Sheet for Impacted Residents

  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available
    Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Helene. Eligible Floridians can submit a claim at FloridaJobs.org.
    To learn more including eligibility, click here.

  • Hurricane Helene Recovery
    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. Fill out the form below to request help today!
    Hurricane Helene Recovery - Hope Florida

  • One-Stop Business Resource Sites - From Oct. 1–9, FloridaCommerce is partnering with the Florida Small Business Development Center Network and CareerSource Florida to bring One-Stop Business Resource Sites to 17 counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. These sites provide support and resources to businesses and employees impacted by the storm. Support and resources include Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans and Disaster Unemployment Assistance. See below for dates and locations.
    • Oct. 1-3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
      • Franklin County - Parking lot, 33 Market St., Apalachicola
      • Wakulla County - CareerSource Capital Region, 3278 Crawfordville Highway, Crawfordville
      • Jefferson County - Parking lot, 1245 S Jefferson St, Monticello
      Oct. 2-4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
      • Lee County - CareerSource SWFL, 6800 Shoppes at Plantation Drive, Ft. Myers
      • Sarasota County - CareerSource Suncoast, 3660 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota
      • Charlotte County - CareerSource SWFL, 3745 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte
      Oct. 4-6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
      • Lafayette County - CareerSource North Florida, 114 NW Community Circle, Mayo
      • Madison County - CareerSource North Florida, 705 E. Base Street, Madison
      • Taylor County - CareerSource North Florida + BBTC, 3233 S. Byron Butler Parkway, Perry
      Oct. 5-6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
      • Hillsborough County - USF Connect, 3802 Spectrum Blvd., Tampa
      • Hernando County - Weeki Wachee Area Club, 7442 Shoal Line Blvd, Spring Hill
      • Pinellas County - CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas, 2312 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater
      Oct. 7-8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
      • Manatee County - CareerSource Suncoast, 3660 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota
      • Pasco County - CareerSource Pasco Henando, 4440 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey
      Oct. 7-9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
      • Citrus County - Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, 915 N Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River
      • Dixie County - CareerSource North Central Florida, 25811 SE Highway 19, Old Town
      • Levy County - CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, 109 NW 3rd Ave, Chiefland

  • For up-to-date Power Outage Information: Florida Power Outages Map

  • Replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP):
    SNAP Recipients who lost food due to Hurricane Helene can apply for food replacement by completing online form in link provided.
    https://myflfamilies.com/helene
    To apply, individuals must:
    • Be a current SNAP Recipient.
    • Complete the form by October 6th, 2024.
    • Households are required to provide verification of having a power outage of 4 or more hours to their MYACCESS Account, except for households located in Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Nassau, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, and Wakulla

  • State Assistance Information Line: Residents in need of information can call: 1-800-342-3557 for resources before and after Helene.
    There are English, Spanish and Creole speakers available to answer questions.

  • Hope Recovery Hurricane Response: https://hopeflorida.com/get-help/

  • Crisis Cleanup: 844-965-1386
    For individuals who need help cleaning up damage from Hurricane Helene. Volunteers from local relief organizations may assist with muck out, trees, traps and debris. All services are free, but service in not guaranteed.

  • Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline: 833-514-2940
    Survivors of any natural disaster seeking free civil legal assistance may apply from anywhere in the state. The number is live during business hours and switches to a message-based system outside of business hours - 24/7 accessibility.
    For declared Counties:
    Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson – Legal Services of North Florida
    Madison, Taylor, Lafayette, Dixie, Levy, - Three Rivers Legal Services
    Citrus – Community Legal Services
    Pasco, Hill, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota – Bay Area Legal Services
    Charlotte, Lee – Florida Rural Legal Services


  • Samaritan's Purse: 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: Individuals can call for up-to-the-minute information including school closures and sandbag distributions. Local Social Services Referral.

  • Red Cross: 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

  • Statewide Disaster Legal Helpline - Legal services programs are open and preparing to assist survivors post impact - 833-514-2940
  • Boil Water Notices (BWNs): There are currently forty-five (45) active BWNs in effect: Alachua (1), Charlotte (3), Citrus (6), Clay (1), Columbia (2), Dixie (1), Duval (1), Hillsborough (11), Lake (2), Lee (1), Leon (2), Levy (1), Madison (1), Marion (4), Nassau (1), Pasco (1), Pinellas (1), Putnam (3), Sumter (2) Boil Water notices are available at: https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/drinking-water/boil-water-notices/index.html.

  • Emergency Medication Refills: Effective September 24, 2024 (EO 24-209), In accordance with section 465.0275(2), Florida Statutes, pharmacists may dispense up to a 30-day emergency prescription refill of maintenance medication to persons who reside in an area or county covered under this Executive Order and to emergency personnel who have been activated by their state or local agency but who do not reside in an area or county covered by this Executive Order. In accordance with section 465.019(4)(b), Florida Statutes, a hospital that operates a Class II or Class III institutional pharmacy located in an area or county covered under this Executive Order may prescribe and dispense a supply of a medicinal drug lasting up to 72 hours.

Resource Links

If You're Halfway Full, You're Halfway There

Halfway Full Halfway There - Remember to keep your vehicle's gas tank at least half-full during hurricane season to avoid long lines at gas stations and gas shortages prior to a storm. If you are ordered to evacuate, consider staying with nearby friends or family who live outside the excuation zone or in a house that can withstand hurricane-force winds and rain. Evacuations typically don't have to be hundreds of miles - having at least half a tank of gas ensures you can evacuate the necessary tens of miles to a safe sheltering location when a storm threatens your community. Floridadisaster.org/planprepare

Residents and visitors should keep their gas tanks at least half full during hurricane season to ensure they have enough fuel to evacuate as soon as possible without worrying about long lines at gas stations and to avoid gas shortages prior to a storm.

For Floridians with electric vehicles, it’s recommended that the battery be maintained between 50% - 80% capacity at all times, depending on the type of vehicle and what the vehicle’s manual recommends. This does not require charging every night but will still ensure that individuals and families have enough charge in their vehicles to evacuate safely and quickly when needed.

Disaster Preparedness Tip - Vehicle Emergency Supply Kit - Supply kits should include: Spare Tire, jumper cables, flashlight and extra batteries, reflective triangles, map, first aid kit, reflective vest, car phone charger, flares, blanket, rain poncho. Ready.gov/car

Additionally, individuals should always keep an emergency kit in their vehicles in case a storm threatens the area and causes hazardous driving conditions. Vehicle emergency supply kits can include items such as jumper cables, a spare tire, a flashlight with extra batteries, reflective triangles, a first aid kit, electronic device chargers, blankets, and rain ponchos. More information can be found at Ready.gov/Car.

If you are ordered to evacuate, your safest and easiest option may be to stay with friends or family who live outside the evacuation zone or in a stronger house. Evacuations do not have to be hundreds of miles away – they can typically be tens of miles inland to a location that can withstand hurricane-force winds and rain. Check with nearby friends and family now and have a plan in place for what to do if you are ordered to evacuate.

Remember to always monitor local news and listen to alerts from local authorities if a storm threatens your community. The greatest threat to life from a hurricane is storm surge flooding. If you are in an ordered evacuation zone, low-lying flood area or in a mobile home, you should follow all evacuation orders. You can learn more about evacuation zones at FloridaDisaster.org/Know.