Congressman Greg Steube October 20, 2024

 

Dear Floridian:

It’s been a challenging few weeks for the Suncoast. My office is here as a resource to help you get back on your feet following Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Debby. 

Please view the update below to read about the federal resources available to you, as well as updates from our state, counties and municipalities regarding resource centers, insurance villages, and debris information. 

FEMA: I joined the Florida delegation in urging the White House to approve a Major Disaster Declaration for Florida following Hurricane Milton. Residents of Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee Counties who were impacted by Milton are eligible to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance. Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov , or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App . IMPORTANT: If applicants have been affected by multiple hurricanes this season, it’s crucial that you apply for assistance under each incident separately. Each hurricane will qualify you for different funding, and you could receive additional support due to having damages from multiple storms. Applicants must clearly list the dates associated with each storm when submitting their claims.

FEMA application deadlines: 

  • Milton: 12/11/24 (Sarasota, Charlotte, & Lee)
  • Helene: 11/27/24  (Sarasota, Charlotte, & Lee)
  • Debby: Extended to 11/12/24  (Sarasota)

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers:  Visit a DRC for help with your FEMA application, to understand any letters you receive from FEMA, and to get your questions answered. Please try to arrive early in the day!  For more FEMA DRC locations and hours, click here .

SBA: The Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses and homeowners affected by Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and/or Milton.  Apply online at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance  or by calling 1-800-659-2955. If you are approved for a loan, you are not obligated to accept it. Funds you get from SBA must be repaid over time.

IRS:  IRS provides Hurricane Milton relief; May 1 deadline now applies to individuals and businesses in all of Florida; many businesses qualify for deposit penalty relief. Affected taxpayers in all of Florida now have until May 1, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, including 2024 individual and business returns normally due during March and April 2025 and 2023 individual and corporate returns with valid extensions and quarterly estimated tax payments. The IRS automatically provides filing and penalty relief to any taxpayer with an IRS address of record located in the disaster area. These taxpayers do not need to contact the agency to get this relief. 

OPERATION BLUE ROOF: The purpose of Operation Blue Roof is to provide homeowners and permanently occupied rental properties in disaster areas with fiber-reinforced sheeting to cover their damaged roofs until arrangements can be made for permanent repairs. This is a free service to homeowners. Sarasota, Charlotte, and Manatee are included in Active Counties. Eligible residents can apply now through Tuesday, Nov. 5. Apply here.

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FHA: The Section 203(h) program allows the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to insure mortgages made by qualified lenders to victims of a major disaster who have lost their homes and are in the process of rebuilding or buying another home. The program offers FHA insurance to disaster victims, allowing them to purchase or rebuild a home with 100% financing, including closing costs, through participating FHA approved lenders. Click here for more information on the program, and consult with your lender to explore this option.

INSURANCE VILLAGES:  The Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Consumer Services is hosting insurance villages in Bradenton, Clearwater, Lakeland, and Plant City. The villages will serve as an opportunity for policyholders to meet with their insurance carriers in person and work together to file insurance claims. Click here  for locations and hours. If you are having issues with your insurance company, submit an insurance complaint to Florida’s Consumer Services using this form .

COUNTY DISTRIBUTION SITES: 

CHARLOTTE: A Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) is open inside the Port Charlotte Town Center Mall, 1441 Tamiami Trail, across the FYE store, to assist residents affected by Hurricane Milton (Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Sunday). Charlotte County Transit Services is offering free rides to and from the MARC. To schedule a ride, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000. 

DEBRIS REMOVAL: The federal government approved Florida’s major disaster declaration, authorizing 100% reimbursement for debris removal for counties and municipalities for 90 days. Counties and municipalities are working diligently to remove debris. Please refer to the county resources below for specific debris pickup and drop-off information in your area. 

LOCAL RESOURCES: To keep you informed of rescue services, wellness checks, volunteering, how to donate, find fuel, debris removal & drop-offs, food & water sites, shelters, school & road closures, and other recovery services, please refer to your county:

SARASOTA COUNTY
Hurricane Updates , Facebook Twitter
Sarasota County Call Center: 311 or 941-861-5000
Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency: 941-316-1201
Sarasota County Text: SRQCOUNTY to 888777
City of Venice Text: VENICESTRONG to 888777
City of North Port Text: NPSTRONG to 888777

CHARLOTTE COUNTY
Hurricane Updates , Facebook Twitter
Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center: 941-833-4000
Charlotte County Call Center: 941-743-1320
Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency: 941-833-4161
Text: CHARCOCARES to 888-777

LEE COUNTY
Hurricane Updates , Facebook Twitter
Lee County: 211
Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency: 239-477-1000

Statewide resources that may be helpful to you in the coming days and weeks ahead: 

  • State Information Line: 1-800-342-3557
  • HOPE FLORIDA : Temporary housing and other recovery resources
  • FL511 ( fl511.com ): Road and bridge openings and closures in real-time
  • Business Damage Assessment Survey:  Self-report physical and economic damage to your business to help the state expedite recovery efforts.

Please visit my hurricane preparedness webpage for the latest recovery information: Steube.House.Gov/Hurricane . You can also follow me on Twitter, @RepGregSteube and like my Facebook page, “Congressman Greg Steube ” for timely updates. 

My office stands ready to assist you with any federal disaster recovery issue. Please do not hesitate to call my office at 941-499-3214 or send me an email  through my website.

God Bless,

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Congressman Greg Steube

Washington, DC Office
2457 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5792

Sarasota District Office
7590 Fruitville Rd #102
Sarasota, FL 34240
Phone: (941) 499-3214

Venice District Office
401 West Venice Ave #157
Venice, FL 34285
Phone: (941) 499-3214

Punta Gorda District Office
226 Taylor St. #230
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Phone: (941) 499-3214