APD > News & Information

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) wants to provide waiver support coordinators and providers with resources to help meet both your own and your customers’ needs.

The attached documents and the below resource links are information to help individuals adversely affected by a disaster.

Hurricane Nicole

• National Hurricane Center


• Florida Disaster website: http://www.floridadisaster.org/ to find your county EOC or current Shelter information.


• Get a Plan! - FloridaDisaster.org


• Prepare Yourself and Your Family for Any Disaster - Florida Health


• Special Needs Shelters Brochure
        - English
        - Spanish
        - Haitian Creole


• Florida Road and Bridge Information: https://fl511.com/


• Live DOT Cameras: Florida 511 Camera Listing


• Alert Florida to sign up for emergency alerts and other public safety notifications in your community


• Search here for Gas: Gasbuddy


• House assistance: www.FloridaHousingSearch.org


• Local Community Resources: http://www.my211florida.org/


• FEMA Evacuee Hotel List: http://www.femaevachotels.com


• Florida Independent Living Council: http://www.floridasilc.org/


• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance Programs


• Transitional Shelter Assistance Fact Sheet


• Transitional Sheltering Assistance Talking Points


• FEMA Emergency Lodging Assistance User Guide


• Protocols for Requesting Church World Service (CWS) Disaster Kits & Blankets


• Survivor Resources Flyer


• Recursos Para Sobrevivientes


• Help After a Disaster FEMA Brochure


• Ayuda despues de un desastre FEMA folleto


• Collecting and Protecting Disaster Survivor's Information


• Privacy Data Cover Sheet

Hurricane Ian

Disaster Assistance

Individuals impacted by Hurricane Ian and live in one of the counties listed below should register with FEMA for assistance by calling 800-621-3362 or visit www.disasterassistance.gov.

Declared Counties: Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Putnam, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, and Volusia.

Resource Links

• Florida Disaster website: http://www.floridadisaster.org/ to find your county EOC or current Shelter information.


• National Hurricane Center


• State Assistance Information Line - 1-800-342-3557


• Elder Helpline for support and assistance - 1-800-963-5337


• Disaster Legal Hotline - 1-866-550-2929


• FEMA: https://www.fema.gov/


• Download the FEMA mobile app


• FEMA - FEMA to Provide Direct Temporary Housing in 4 Florida Counties


• FEMA - FEMA proporcionará Asistencia Directa de Vivienda Provisional en cuatro condados de Florida


• FEMA - Transitional Sheltering Assistance


• FEMA - Help After a Disaster Brochure


• FEMA - Who's Knocking at Your Door Flyer


• FEMA - A Survivor's Transitional Assistance Journey


• FEMA - What Houses of Worship Need to Know About the FEMA Disaster Aid Process Flyer


• FEMA Fact Sheet - Individuals and Household Programs


• FEMA Fact Sheet - What to Expect After You Apply for FEMA Assistance


• FEMA Fact Sheet - What Kind of Assistance Can FEMA Provide to Florida Hurricane Survivors


• FEMA Fact Sheet - How to Appeal FEMA's Decision


• FEMA Fact Sheet - Public Assistance for Houses of Worship


• FDEM Applicant Briefing Schedule



Webinar topic:
Hurricane Ian Applicant Briefing Local Governments and State Agencies
Date and time: Friday, Oct 7, 2022 9:00 am | (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Register link: https://fdem.webex.com/fdem/j.php?RGID=rb0371d54138285f7bfa62624cfbad0fe

Webinar topic:
Hurricane Ian Applicant Briefing Private Nonprofits (PNPs)
Date and time: Friday, Oct 7, 2022 2:00 pm | (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Register link: https://fdem.webex.com/fdem/j.php?RGID=r6f48021f7fd6030fe436bf5178bec2c8


• https://www.disasterassistance.gov/


• DisasterAssistance.gov Flyer


• Disaster Survivor Application Checklist


• Disaster Assistance Flyer - English and Spanish


• DOH - Boil Water Notices


• OBR Operation Site Feeding List


• Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) Information - Press Release


• Visit Disaster Recovery Centers. A Disaster Recovery Center in Fort Myers is open daily from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. More centers have opened in other locations as needed. For the latest information on DRC locations, be sure to visit https://www.fema.gov/locations/florida#drc
  



IMPORTANT UPDATE RELATED TO WEATHER:

As a result of projected impacts from Subtropical Storm Nicole – ALL DRCs will be closed Wednesday 11/9/2022 through Friday 11/11/2022.  Upon passage of weather related to this storm, DRCs will then be reinspected to determine follow up opening dates.

• Emergency Response for People Who Have Access and Functional Needs: A Guide for First Responders


• Know Your Zone, Know Your Home


• Missing Person Report - Missing Persons (fl.gov)


• The Executive Office of the Governor for the latest state executive orders


• The Disaster Legal Hotline is up and running. Survivors can call 866-550-2929 for legal help. Survivors can call the hotline anytime and leave a message if calling after hours. Hotline callers may get help with legal issues like:
  

  - FEMA and SBA financial benefits
  - Home repair contracts and property insurance claims
  - Re-doing wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the disaster
  - Price gouging, scams, or identity theft
  - Landlord or tenant problems, or threats of foreclosure
  - Disability-related access to federal, state, and local disaster programs
  




• Business Recovery Centers
  The BRC is a coordinated effort between the SBA and local business resources to assist businesses that were impacted by Hurricane Ian.

  • Chloe Coney Urban Enterprise Center 1907 E. Hillsborough Ave. Tampa, FL 33610
  • Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Closed: Sunday
  • The Naples Players 701 5th Avenue South Naples, FL 341
  • Hours: Monday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Museum of the Everglades 105 Broadway Avenue W Everglades City, FL 34139
  • Hours: Saturday – Monday, Oct. 8 to 10, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
  • The Hub at SWFL, Inc.: 25071 Chamber of Commerce Drive Bonita Springs, FL 34135
  • Hours: Sunday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sanford Information Center: 230 E. First St. Sanford, FL 32771
  • Hours: Sunday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  Initial Payment Centers
  The Florida Department of Financial Services has opened two Initial Payment Centers (IPC) in the affected area.  The purpose of the IPC is for policyholders to meet directly with their insurance companies to file claims, and for the insurance companies to issue checks to Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, insurance carriers will focus on the immediate needs of policy holders by providing resources for specific items including living expenses.  
  
  Policyholders should bring as much documentation as they can, including: 

  • A driver’s license or other form of identification (Passport/State issued ID)
  • Insurance cards and insurance policy information/documentation
  • Pictures or documentation of the property being claimed as a loss resulting from Hurricane Ian
  • Any additional insurance-related information that is readily accessible.

  Locations: 

  • Port Charlotte Town Center (Parking Lot): 1441 Tamiami Trail Port Charlotte, FL 33948
  • Daily Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET Daily
  • Lakes Regional Library: 15290 Bass Road Fort Myers, FL 33919
  • Daily Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET Daily


• Get a Plan! - FloridaDisaster.org


• Prepare Yourself and Your Family for Any Disaster - Florida Health


• Special Needs Shelters Brochure
        - English
        - Spanish
        - Haitian Creole


• FDOT - List of Tolls Suspended - Hurricane Ian


• DOH - Flood Waters Pose Health Risks


• FDEM - Emotional Support Resources for Disaster Survivors


• Tips for Survivors Coping with Grief After a Traumatic Event


• Tips for Health Care Practitioners and Responders: Helping Suvivors Cope with Grief After a Disaster or Traumatic Event


• SAMHSA - Tips for Disaster Survivors


• A Guide to Managing Stress for Disaster Responders and First Responders


• County Emergency Management Information - School Closures


• Florida Department of Education Hurricane Information


• Crisis Cleanup: Hurricane Ian - Home Cleanup Hotline
        - English
        - Spanish


• You may register for FEMA assistance by calling the toll-free telephone number, which will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA) 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) or if you use 711 Relay or Video Relay Service call 1-800-621-3362. You may download the FEMA App.


• Operation Blue Roof is a priority mission managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for FEMA. Operation Blue Roof aims to provide homeowners in disaster areas with fiber-reinforced sheeting to cover their damaged roofs until permanent repairs are made. Residents can call toll free 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) for more information regarding this program.


• To find an open pharmacy, go to RxOpen.org, which maps open and closed pharmacies during disasters. The site also has locations of American Red Cross shelters and infusion centers in the affected communities.


• For those with a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, medicare.gov recommends contacting the plan to find the nearest network pharmacy that is open. If one is unavailable, the plan can connect evacuees with an out-of-network pharmacy. Call your plan for more details and instructions. To find your plan’s phone number, call 1-800-MEDICARE.


• Florida Road and Bridge Information: https://fl511.com/


• Live DOT Cameras: Florida 511 Camera Listing


• Alert Florida to sign up for emergency alerts and other public safety notifications in your community


• Search here for Gas: Gasbuddy


• House assistance: www.FloridaHousingSearch.org


• Local Community Resources: http://www.my211florida.org/


• FEMA Evacuee Hotel List: http://www.femaevachotels.com


• Florida Independent Living Council: http://www.floridasilc.org/


• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance Programs


• Transitional Shelter Assistance Fact Sheet


• Transitional Sheltering Assistance Talking Points


• FEMA Emergency Lodging Assistance User Guide


• Protocols for Requesting Church World Service (CWS) Disaster Kits & Blankets


• Survivor Resources Flyer


• Recursos Para Sobrevivientes


• Help After a Disaster FEMA Brochure


• Ayuda despues de un desastre FEMA folleto


• Collecting and Protecting Disaster Survivor's Information


• Privacy Data Cover Sheet


• American Psychological Association Disaster Response Network


• After the Storm - A guide to help parents and children cope with hurricanes and their aftermath


• Cuando Pasa La Tormenta - Guia de ayuda infantil para sobreponerse a los efectos psicologicos de un huracan


• National Child Traumatic Stress Network


• Disaster Recovery Jobs Portal


• Byte to Bites App - A free mobile application designed to help people find local food pantries, soup kitchens, farmers markets and locations where they can use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.


• FLOW mobiles also offer DHSMV’s critical safety services such as registering emergency contact information. For a list of what to bring, please visit flhsmv.gov/whattobring.



Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

On Tuesday, October 4, Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $50 million available — at least $10 million of which must go to small businesses that are agricultural producers impacted by Hurricane Ian — in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. Small businesses in the most impacted counties — Charlotte, Collier, Lee, and Sarasota — will be escalated and prioritized as they are received.

The program, administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Ian. Interested applicants can apply now through December 2, 2022, or until all available funds are expended. Ways to apply:

• Visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, view the lending guidelines and required documentation, and complete an application
• Call 833-832-4494, Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Time for more information on the program.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

Yesterday, the SBA added additional counties to Florida’s Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Ian that began on September 23. The declaration is available to impacted individuals and businesses in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Saint Johns, Sarasota, Seminole, and Volusia counties for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 28, 2022. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 29, 2023. Ways to apply include:

• Use the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoanAssistance.SBA.gov under SBA declaration #17644


• Call 800-659-2955 or send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov


• Visit Business Recovery Centers (BRC):
• Chloe Coney Urban Enterprise Center
  1907 E. Hillsborough Ave.
  Tampa, FL 33610
  Open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Open Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.


• The Naples Players
  701 5th Ave. South
  Naples, FL 34102
  Opening Thursday, Oct. 6, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  Open Monday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Open Tuesday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.


• The Hub at SWFL, Inc.
  25071 Chamber of Commerce Dr.
  Bonita Springs, FL 34135
  Opening Wednesday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  Open Sunday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Loan applications can also be downloaded from SBA.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to:
• S. Small Business Administration
  Processing and Disbursement Center
  14925 Kingsport Road
  Fort Worth, TX 76155

Governor Press Releases - Information from Around the State