FEMA Daily Fact Sheet for Hurricane Idalia Recovery
October 03, 2023
Hurricane Idalia Recovery
Don’t Wait. Clean Up As Soon As Possible
Residents with home damage after Hurricane Idalia do not need to wait for a FEMA home inspection or flood
insurance claim inspection to beginning cleaning up. If the home needs a blue tarp to prevent further damage,
install the tarp as quickly as possible. FEMA will let you know if a home inspection is necessary and you can provide
photos or videos of interior and exterior damage. Before starting any structural work, be sure to get a building permit
from your local building authorities.
Let FEMA Know About Insurance Claims
To avoid duplication of benefits, FEMA requires an insurance settlement letter, a denial letter or proof of lack of
insurance coverage for applicants who apply as insured. In these cases, applicants will need to provide the
applicable documentation. If your application for FEMA disaster assistance is determined ineligible or is delayed
because of insurance, you can talk to a FEMA specialist at any Disaster Recovery Center or by calling 800-621-
3362. Documentation can be uploaded to your account at DisasterAssistance.gov, by visiting a Disaster Recovery
Center (below) or by mailing to: FEMA, Individuals and Households Program, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-
8055.
Free Legal Help
A free legal help hotline is now available to eligible individuals affected by Hurricane Idalia in Citrus, Columbia, Dixie,
Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee
or Taylor counties. The hotline is available to connect those who are unable to afford an attorney to free legal
services. Call 866-550-2929 and leave a message for a callback.
How to Apply for FEMA Assistance
If you sustained loss from Hurricane Idalia and live in Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando,
Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee or Taylor counties, FEMA may be
able to help. You may be eligible for FEMA financial assistance for temporary lodging, basic home repairs, personal
property losses and other uninsured disaster-related expenses.
Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App for mobile devices, or call toll-free 800-621-3362. The
line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such
as VRS, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. To view an accessible video
on how to apply visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube. The deadline to apply is Oct. 30,
2023.
Questions About FEMA Assistance?
Visit Q&A: FEMA Individual Assistance | FEMA.gov.
By the Numbers
▪ $58.3 million in FEMA Individual Assistance approved for 29,436 households
▪ $34.1 million in U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans approved
▪ $53.9 million in National Flood Insurance Program payments; 4,886 claims filed
Disaster Recovery Centers
Disaster Recovery Centers provide one-on-one help to people affected by Hurricane Idalia. A video is available: Disaster Recovery Center (DRC): Your Resource After a Hurricane - YouTube.
▪ Citrus County: West Citrus Community Center, 8940 W Veterans Dr., Homosassa, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon–Sat, closed Sunday)
▪ Columbia County: 180 E Duval St. Lake City, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Dixie County: Dixie County Public Library, 16328 SE US-19, Cross City, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Sat, closed Sunday
▪ Hamilton County: 1153 NW US Hwy 41, Jasper, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Hernando County: Hernando Public Library Branch, 9220 Spring Hill Dr. Spring Hill, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Jefferson County: Jefferson County Library, 375 S Water St., Monticello, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Lafayette County: Mayo Community Center, 150 NW Community Cir., Mayo, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Levy County: Cedar Key Fire Station parking lot, 489 1st St., Cedar Key, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sat., closed Sunday
▪ Levy County: Inglis Community Center, 137 Hwy 40 W, Inglis, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sat., closed Sunday
▪ Madison County: Career Source North Florida, 705 E Base St., Madison, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
▪ Manatee County: Rubonia Community Center, 1309 72nd St. E, Palmetto, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Pasco County: Fasano Regional Hurricane Shelter, 11611 Denton Ave., Hudson, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Pinellas County: Palm Harbor CSA, 1500 16th St., Palm Harbor, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Pinellas County: Enoch Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Suwannee County: Agricultural Coliseum Exhibition Building 2, 1302 SW 11 St., Live Oak, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Taylor County: Steinhatchee Community Center, 1013 S. Riverside Dr., Steinhatchee, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Low-Interest Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and other sources. Apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/ela/s/. Disaster loan information and application forms can also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. Application deadline for physical damage is Oct. 30, 2023, and for economic injury May 31, 2024. SBA is operating Business Recovery Centers at Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce in Live Oak, Entrepreneur Center in Tampa and Career Source North Florida in Cedar Key.
If FEMA refers you to the SBA, it is important to submit the disaster loan application. If approved, you do not have to accept a loan but failure to submit the application may disqualify you from other possible financial assistance from FEMA and State of Florida.
Houses of Worship May Be Eligible for FEMA Public Assistance
For more information, email: fema-dr-4734-flhousesofworship@fema.dhs.gov.
Agriculture Assistance
For Hurricane Idalia assistance, please call the Farm Service Agency Producer Hotline at 877-508-8364, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or send an email to the FSA disaster group inbox at SM.FPAC.FSA.FLFSA.Disaster@USDA.GOV. For more information about USDA disaster resources please visit farmers.gov/protection-recovery. USDA Service Centers are designed to be a single location where customers can access the services provided by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development. For questions about food safety, call the Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET (English or Spanish) or email MPHotline@usda.gov. Owners of meat and poultry producing businesses may call 877-FSIS-HELP (877-374-7435), email infosource@fsis.usda.gov, or visit fsis.usda.gov/inspection/compliance-guidance/small-very-small-plant-guidance/small-plant-help-desk.
Debris Removal from Waterways
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has set up a hotline (888-404-3922) to report vessels lost, displaced or rendered derelict as a result of the storm. Any damaged, displaced or destroyed waterway marker, sign or buoy should be reported by telephone to 866-405-BUOY (2869) or at myfwc.com/boating/waterway/markers/damaged-or-missing/report-form.
Mold Cleanup
▪ Homeowner’s and Renter’s Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters | Mold | CDC
▪ Guía del propietario y arrendatario para la limpieza de moho (hongos) después de desastres | Mold | CDC
‒ State Housing Assistance
State Housing Assistance
For temporary shelter in travel trailers or hotel rooms, visit floridarecovers.org.
For a list of resources to help with your recovery, visit:
▪ Additional Resources Available for Hurricane Idalia Survivors | FEMA.gov
▪ Recursos adicionales disponibles para sobrevivientes del huracán Idalia | FEMA.gov
Don’t Wait. Clean Up As Soon As Possible
Residents with home damage after Hurricane Idalia do not need to wait for a FEMA home inspection or flood
insurance claim inspection to beginning cleaning up. If the home needs a blue tarp to prevent further damage,
install the tarp as quickly as possible. FEMA will let you know if a home inspection is necessary and you can provide
photos or videos of interior and exterior damage. Before starting any structural work, be sure to get a building permit
from your local building authorities.
Let FEMA Know About Insurance Claims
To avoid duplication of benefits, FEMA requires an insurance settlement letter, a denial letter or proof of lack of
insurance coverage for applicants who apply as insured. In these cases, applicants will need to provide the
applicable documentation. If your application for FEMA disaster assistance is determined ineligible or is delayed
because of insurance, you can talk to a FEMA specialist at any Disaster Recovery Center or by calling 800-621-
3362. Documentation can be uploaded to your account at DisasterAssistance.gov, by visiting a Disaster Recovery
Center (below) or by mailing to: FEMA, Individuals and Households Program, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-
8055.
Free Legal Help
A free legal help hotline is now available to eligible individuals affected by Hurricane Idalia in Citrus, Columbia, Dixie,
Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee
or Taylor counties. The hotline is available to connect those who are unable to afford an attorney to free legal
services. Call 866-550-2929 and leave a message for a callback.
How to Apply for FEMA Assistance
If you sustained loss from Hurricane Idalia and live in Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando,
Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee or Taylor counties, FEMA may be
able to help. You may be eligible for FEMA financial assistance for temporary lodging, basic home repairs, personal
property losses and other uninsured disaster-related expenses.
Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App for mobile devices, or call toll-free 800-621-3362. The
line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such
as VRS, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. To view an accessible video
on how to apply visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube. The deadline to apply is Oct. 30,
2023.
Questions About FEMA Assistance?
Visit Q&A: FEMA Individual Assistance | FEMA.gov.
By the Numbers
▪ $58.3 million in FEMA Individual Assistance approved for 29,436 households
▪ $34.1 million in U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans approved
▪ $53.9 million in National Flood Insurance Program payments; 4,886 claims filed
Disaster Recovery Centers
Disaster Recovery Centers provide one-on-one help to people affected by Hurricane Idalia. A video is available: Disaster Recovery Center (DRC): Your Resource After a Hurricane - YouTube.
▪ Citrus County: West Citrus Community Center, 8940 W Veterans Dr., Homosassa, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon–Sat, closed Sunday)
▪ Columbia County: 180 E Duval St. Lake City, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Dixie County: Dixie County Public Library, 16328 SE US-19, Cross City, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Sat, closed Sunday
▪ Hamilton County: 1153 NW US Hwy 41, Jasper, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Hernando County: Hernando Public Library Branch, 9220 Spring Hill Dr. Spring Hill, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Jefferson County: Jefferson County Library, 375 S Water St., Monticello, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Lafayette County: Mayo Community Center, 150 NW Community Cir., Mayo, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Levy County: Cedar Key Fire Station parking lot, 489 1st St., Cedar Key, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sat., closed Sunday
▪ Levy County: Inglis Community Center, 137 Hwy 40 W, Inglis, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sat., closed Sunday
▪ Madison County: Career Source North Florida, 705 E Base St., Madison, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
▪ Manatee County: Rubonia Community Center, 1309 72nd St. E, Palmetto, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Pasco County: Fasano Regional Hurricane Shelter, 11611 Denton Ave., Hudson, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Pinellas County: Palm Harbor CSA, 1500 16th St., Palm Harbor, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Pinellas County: Enoch Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Suwannee County: Agricultural Coliseum Exhibition Building 2, 1302 SW 11 St., Live Oak, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
▪ Taylor County: Steinhatchee Community Center, 1013 S. Riverside Dr., Steinhatchee, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Low-Interest Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and other sources. Apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/ela/s/. Disaster loan information and application forms can also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. Application deadline for physical damage is Oct. 30, 2023, and for economic injury May 31, 2024. SBA is operating Business Recovery Centers at Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce in Live Oak, Entrepreneur Center in Tampa and Career Source North Florida in Cedar Key.
If FEMA refers you to the SBA, it is important to submit the disaster loan application. If approved, you do not have to accept a loan but failure to submit the application may disqualify you from other possible financial assistance from FEMA and State of Florida.
Houses of Worship May Be Eligible for FEMA Public Assistance
For more information, email: fema-dr-4734-flhousesofworship@fema.dhs.gov.
Agriculture Assistance
For Hurricane Idalia assistance, please call the Farm Service Agency Producer Hotline at 877-508-8364, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or send an email to the FSA disaster group inbox at SM.FPAC.FSA.FLFSA.Disaster@USDA.GOV. For more information about USDA disaster resources please visit farmers.gov/protection-recovery. USDA Service Centers are designed to be a single location where customers can access the services provided by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development. For questions about food safety, call the Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET (English or Spanish) or email MPHotline@usda.gov. Owners of meat and poultry producing businesses may call 877-FSIS-HELP (877-374-7435), email infosource@fsis.usda.gov, or visit fsis.usda.gov/inspection/compliance-guidance/small-very-small-plant-guidance/small-plant-help-desk.
Debris Removal from Waterways
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has set up a hotline (888-404-3922) to report vessels lost, displaced or rendered derelict as a result of the storm. Any damaged, displaced or destroyed waterway marker, sign or buoy should be reported by telephone to 866-405-BUOY (2869) or at myfwc.com/boating/waterway/markers/damaged-or-missing/report-form.
Mold Cleanup
▪ Homeowner’s and Renter’s Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters | Mold | CDC
▪ Guía del propietario y arrendatario para la limpieza de moho (hongos) después de desastres | Mold | CDC
‒ State Housing Assistance
State Housing Assistance
For temporary shelter in travel trailers or hotel rooms, visit floridarecovers.org.
For a list of resources to help with your recovery, visit:
▪ Additional Resources Available for Hurricane Idalia Survivors | FEMA.gov
▪ Recursos adicionales disponibles para sobrevivientes del huracán Idalia | FEMA.gov
