Hurricane Milton: What to do if you need aid and how to help victims
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Debris from Hurricane Helene lines a street in the Redington Beach section of St. Petersburg, Florida, on Oct. 8 ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected landfall. Photo: BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images
Homes in Florida and across the southeast have been battered by unprecedented disasters brought ashore by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The big picture: For those weathering the impacts of Hurricane Helene, full recovery could take years — and for many Floridians, Hurricane Milton's Wednesday landfall exacerbated an already dire crisis.
- If your home was damaged or you're left needing help, federal and state-level assistance is available.
- And, if you're like millions of other Americans watching the devastation flash across the television and on social media, there are ways you can help.
What to do if Milton damaged your home
If Milton damaged your home, make sure to submit claims with your home and flood insurance (if you have it) and snap photos of the damage as soon as possible.
- Experts recommend taking photos from several difference angles and including any references, such as a tape measure, to capture the extent of the damage.
Zoom in: For assistance removing debris and fallen trees, Floridians can call the Crisis Cleanup number.
- It's important not to touch any debris that could be entangled with downed power lines.
Zoom out: Federal aid is also available.
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, offers a sum of $750 per household in Serious Needs Assistance, which is an initial payment available to help cover immediate needs — like food, water, baby formula, medication and other emergency supplies — shortly after a disaster declaration.
- Those affected can apply during the first 30 days after a disaster is declared.
- Displacement assistance is a lump sum FEMA offers for up to two weeks of temporary lodging for those who can't return home.
Up to $42,500 per household is also available to repair or rebuild a homeowner's residence or support temporary housing needs through FEMA's Financial Housing Assistance.
- Disaster survivors can also receive up to 18 months of rental assistance.
Yes, but: Your home may not be the only thing damaged in a storm.
- Other Needs Assistance (also up to $42,500) covers a variety of needs, from replacing essential household items to covering child-care or funeral expenses.
When applying for FEMA aid, it is important to disclose the insurance coverage you already have.
- FEMA can't pay for costs a homeowner's insurance already covers.
- Click here for a checklist of what should be included on a completed application.
FEMA estimates that only 4% of homeowners have flood insurance — a gap that was dramatically exposed by Helene's heavy inland flooding.
- But federal, state and nonprofit resources and grants can often provide support to flood-damaged homes in the absence of insurance.
A number of nonprofits and humanitarian organizations, like the Red Cross and Samaritan's Purse, also offer assistance to those affected, often in the form of debris cleanup, shelter aid and reunification support.
- Find their hotline information and others at Floridadisaster.org.
- The Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline is open to assist residents with legal, insurance and other questions in the wake of the storm.
To start a FEMA application, call the Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), visit the FEMA app or apply online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/.
- You can also visit a Disaster Recovery Center in person. Click here to find a center near you.
Beyond monetary aid, the White House said Wednesday that FEMA has 20 million meals and 40 million liters of water prepared to assist those affected by Milton and Helene.
- If you need help reconnecting with a loved one lost after the storm, the American Red Cross' reunification teams can help. Visit their website for assistance.
How to help those affected
Several humanitarian, state and federal agencies in the impacted area are fundraising to assist those affected.
- The American Red Cross is collecting monetary donations online to help shelter and support survivors, and the Humane Society is raising funds to assist and transport four-legged friends affected by the storms.
- United Way of Florida, which supports dozens of local chapters, is using its Disaster Recovery Fund to support local communities. You can donate to the fund here.
- Direct Relief has made available $78 million in medicines and medical supplies to healthcare providers in areas hit by the two storms and is accepting donations dedicated to each disaster.
Local organization Feeding Tampa Bay has prepared thousands of meals for those affected by the storms and those assisting in response efforts.
- World Central Kitchen's relief team also prepositioned in the Sunshine State to provide food in Milton and Helene's wake.
If you're in the area, you can sign up to volunteer to help your neighbors through a number of organizations, like the Red Cross and All Hands and Hearts.
- You can also donate needed supplies.
- Axios Tampa Bay has a full list of ways to help from near and far.
Go deeper: Millions without power as Florida recovers from "catastrophic" Hurricane Milton
