Hurricane Helene Resources – Where to Get Help & How to Help

Many Florida residents were impacted by Hurricane Helene. This page provides information on available resources for those affected and ways people can help with relief efforts.

Recovery Assistance

FEMA Individual Assistance - 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.

How to Apply for FEMA: Go to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA mobile app, or call Call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time

What You'll Need When You Apply

• A current phone number where you can be contacted
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
• Your Social Security numbers
• A general list of damage and losses
• Banking information if you choose direct deposit
• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

To get a FEMA hotel voucher in Florida, you can apply for FEMA disaster assistance by calling 800-621-3362 toll-free, using the FEMA app, or visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.

Use your FEMA registration number to search for FEMA hotels. FEMA will cover the cost of your room, taxes, and pet fees. Expenses will be covered up to the maximum rate allowed. This rate varies by disaster and location.

Active Hope connects Floridians with the private sector, nonprofits, and government resources following a disaster. Click here to fill out the Hope Florida recovery form.

Shelters:

Activate Hope Disaster Assistance - Activate Hope mobilizes resources from private, nonprofit, and government sectors to aid Floridians recovering from natural disasters. The organization connects people with essential services including food assistance, household supplies, and home repairs. Apply here.

Red Cross- to locate the nearest open Red Cross shelter.

Other shelters - visit the Emergency Shelter page to find shelters in your area.

Food & Supplies

Sarasota County Points of Distribution - Extended through October 2^nd | 7am - 7pm while supplies last

Supplies available include water, ice, sports drinks, tarps, flood buckets, nonperishable food items

• 326 Nokomis Ave. S., Venice Community Center
• 1000 Glebe Lane, Siesta Key
• 100 S Casey Key Road, Nokomis
• 326 Nokomis Ave S., Venice
• 8570 Manasota Key Road, Englewood

For information, call 311 or 941-861-5000.

• Disaster Legal Hotline is open to assist and refer callers. The number is 833-514-2940
• Samaritan's Purse hotline: 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 is open and ready to receive calls
  • Individuals can call for up-to-the-minute information including school closures and sandbag distributions.
  • Local Social Services Referral.
• Red Cross Hotline is open to assist survivors: 1-800-Red Cros (733-2767)
• 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
• CrisisCleanup.org & Crisis Cleanup number: 844-965-1386 for help cleaning up damage from Hurricane Helene. Hotline remains open through Friday, Oct. 11.
• Local Reliefis a nonprofit and mobile app supported by locals for locals seeking help, locals wanting to help, volunteers with boots on the ground, and information on where to find supplies and resources necessary to rebuild.

• For free post-storm recovery assistance, call 833-GET-HOPE (438-4673). Hope Navigators are available to connect you with resources for food, household goods, and debris removal.

Information

FloridaDisaster.org

WiFi Hotspots - For a map of public Xfinity WiFi hotspots, which are located both indoors and outdoors in places such as shopping districts, parks, and businesses, visit Finder.wifi.xfinity.com.

How to Help

Visit www.volunteerflorida.org for information on how to donate, how to volunteer, and other resources in wake of Hurricane Helene.

Organizations accepting donations and/or volunteers

Drop-Off Donations

Robert Toale & Sonsat 7454 S. Tamiami Trail, Siesta Key, is accepting and distributing free clothing and linens from September 30 to October 6, 10am-7pm daily.

Needed items:

• All clothing (any age)
• New socks and underwear
• Clean, usable shoes
• New bed sheets (all sizes)
• New bath towels

Drive-through drop-off available. Volunteers needed for sorting. Contact the location, Jason Toale, Duane LaFollett, or William McCluney to help at 941-921-5755.

Our hearts are with everyone affected by Hurricane Helene. At Michael Saunders & Company, we remain committed to helping our community navigate through this challenging time.

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