At the request of the State of Florida and FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will continue to collect Right of Entry (ROE) forms for Operation Blue Roof through Thursday, Nov. 14, extending the original deadline by nine days. Homeowners impacted by Hurricane Milton can sign-up for this FREE service at BlueRoof.gov or by calling toll free 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258).
The program provides a temporary solution that protects a homeowner’s property and allows them to remain in their home. Though commonly misreferred to as a “tarp,” this is fiber-reinforced, industrial-strength sheeting that is well-suited to protect storm-damaged roofs until homeowners can make permanent repairs. To date the Army Corps has received 463 ROE forms from Polk County residents. Of those, 415 of those have been reviewed and approved, and 281 blue roofs have been installed. Applying for the program requires a Right of Entry, or ROE, form, which allows USACE access to a homeowner’s property to their home's damage. The ROE also allows contracted crews to complete the Blue Roof installation. Not all roof types qualify for the program. Check www.BlueRoof.gov for details. Key Messages
FAQ of the Day: Is my vacation home covered? No, FEMA can provide disaster assistance only for a primary residence. Second homes, vacation homes or homes used as vacation rentals (AirBnB/VRBO) do not qualify for FEMA assistance. FEMA is Hiring FEMA is hiring more than 600 local hire positions in Gainesville, Melbourne Beach, Sarasota and Tallahassee, Florida. Local Hire employees are typically local residents who aid in the recovery of their community and help fellow neighbors in the recovery process. Visit USAJobs.gov, type “Local Hire” in the keywords section and “Florida” for location. Operation Blue Roof The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is installing fiber-reinforced sheeting to cover damaged roofs until arrangements can be made for permanent repairs to damaged homes across affected Florida communities. The service is free and the initial sign-up period ends Nov. 5. Florida Residents affected by Hurricane Milton can sign-up at www.blueroof.gov, by calling 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258), or by visiting a Right-of-Entry collection center throughout the affected areas. Disaster Recovery Centers Disaster Recovery Centers are open in Charlotte, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hernando, Indian River, Madison, Manatee, Martin, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, St. Lucie, Suwanee and Taylor counties. Additional locations will continue opening in the coming days. To find center locations go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362. All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology. Survivors do not need to visit a center to apply for assistance. Survivors are encouraged to apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by downloading the FEMA App. FEMA does not distribute cash at Disaster Recovery Centers. Transitional Sheltering Assistance FEMA has activated Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) for Floridians displaced by Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton in 52 counties and for tribal members of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians. Residents in these counties who have applied for disaster assistance may be eligible to stay temporarily in a hotel or motel paid for by FEMA. Applicants do not need to request TSA. FEMA will notify them of their eligibility through an automated phone call, text message, and/or email, depending upon the method of communication they selected at the time of application for disaster assistance. Survivors who have been approved for TSA can find hotel options here: Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) Serious Needs Assistance Serious Needs Assistance is money to pay for emergency supplies like water, food, first aid, breast-feeding supplies, infant formula, diapers, personal hygiene items, or fuel for transportation. Serious Needs Assistance is available for survivors who apply during the first 30 days after a disaster is declared. If you don’t agree with FEMA’s decision, you can appeal by showing why you need FEMA assistance. The decision letter you get from FEMA will have more information about the types of documents you should send. Learn more about Serious Needs Assistance. U.S. Small Business Administration 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 at SBA.gov/disaster. Disaster loan information and application forms can also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. SBA Business Recovery Centers are open in Hillsborough and Manatee counties. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. How to Apply for FEMA Assistance If you sustained damage or loss from Hurricanes Milton, Helene or Debby, FEMA may be able to help. You may be eligible for financial assistance for displacement, serious needs, temporary lodging, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured disaster-related expenses.
Additional Resources Clean & Sanitize: FEMA may be able to provide up to $300 in one-time financial assistance to help with cleanup. Clean and Sanitize Assistance | FEMA.gov. Multi-Agency Resource Centers: Florida Division of Emergency Management and local communities are establishing these centers to assist residents with storm recovery. FEMA specialists are available at most centers. FEMA & Citizenship: You or a member of your household must be U.S. citizen, non-U.S. citizen national or qualified non-citizen to apply for FEMA assistance. Be Alert to Fraud: Con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after disasters. Be Alert to Fraud After Florida Hurricanes | FEMA.gov FEMA Rumor Response: Know what’s true and what isn’t. Hurricane Rumor Response | FEMA.gov Mental health resources for Floridians For help with cleanup: Call 833-GET HOPE Tips for Mold Cleanup Florida Division of Emergency Management Updates: floridadisaster.org/disaster-updates/storm-updates/ Disaster Legal Hotline: 833-514-2940 FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have collaborated to create a guide to help local businesses affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton access recovery resources. The agencies created a one-stop-shop resource with information about multiple kinds of federal support that is available to assist local businesses with their recovery. The guide—tailored for each affected state—is available on FEMA’s website at the links below:
Many local business owners are also disaster survivors. This means they’re dealing with two separate recoveries, one for their household and another for their business. Recovery for local businesses after events like Helene and Milton may seem daunting. FEMA encourages chambers of commerce and other civic organizations to share this guide to help local businesses recover. Below are examples of the resources available to local businesses and their owners:
A full list of more than 70 resources from 17 federal agencies is available on disasterassistance.gov. President Biden has declared a major disaster for six states affected by Helene--Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia—and Florida for Milton. FEMA reminds survivors affected by hurricanes Helene or Milton that they can apply for FEMA assistance in four ways: online at disasterassistance.gov, on the FEMA App, calling 800-621-3362, or in person at a local Disaster Recovery Center. Contact Us If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Office of External Affairs:
Follow Us Follow FEMA on social media at: FEMA Blog on fema.gov, @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol on X, FEMA or FEMA Español on Facebook, @FEMA on Instagram, and via FEMA YouTube channel. Also, follow Administrator Deanne Criswell on X @FEMA_Deanne. FEMA Mission Helping people before, during, and after disasters. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews are currently visiting Polk County neighborhoods.
DSA specialists are going door-to-door in affected neighborhoods to help people apply for federal assistance, check the status of an application, identify potential needs and make connections with organizations that can provide resources. DSA specialists carry federal photo identification. DSA crews never ask for or accept money. Homeowners and renters are encouraged to apply for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by using the FEMA App. You may also apply by phone at (800) 621-3362. FEMA is increasing staff at call centers but wait times may be long due to increased call volume for multiple recent disasters. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. As we continue to respond to Hurricane Milton, my team and I are traveling across FL-18, assessing Central Florida damage and meeting with state and local leaders to discuss recovery efforts.
Thank you to the National Guard, first responders, emergency management staff, utility workers and volunteers who are working to get our community back on its feet. I’m happy to see our communities banding together and supporting one another. Our resilience will help us rebuild and make our communities stronger than ever. If you need assistance, FEMA, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and other government agencies offer initial assistance to residents and business owners impacted by natural disasters. You may apply for FEMA assistance by:
Rest assured, my team and I will continue to work to ensure FEMA and related federal agencies are equipped to deal with the aftermath of strong winds, extensive flooding, power outages and post-storm debris. If my office can help, or you need assistance with a federal agency, click here or call 863-644-8215 for further assistance. It's an honor and privilege to represent you in Congress. For more information or to sign up for my e-newsletter, please visit my website at franklin.house.gov. Congresswoman Lee's office is hosting Mobile Office Hours this week to answer any questions you have regarding the FEMA disaster assistance application or any general casework questions that you may have. Please stop or call my office at (813) 393-5077.
RP Funding Center/Sikes Hall 701 W Lime St October 16, 17, 18 | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Attention Florida residents filing late taxes, they are due today. However, the IRS issued new guidance for taxpayers in impacted areas, which includes every county in FL-18, our congressional district. This guidance applies to all businesses and individuals in 51 counties designated by FEMA.
Extension of certain tax filing deadlines: IRS has extended various filing deadlines for taxpayers in impacted areas, including 2024 individual/business returns, certain quarterly estimated income tax payments, and certain payroll/excise taxes. o Click here for the full list of extensions and respective dates o Click here for more information from the IRS on disaster assistance Tax relief for qualified payments, disaster-related losses: IRS released provided guidance to taxpayers on how to address disaster-related losses in their 2024 tax return, as well as providing guidance on how qualified disaster relief payments – like government assistance payments – are generally excluded from gross income. o Click here for a general walkthrough of these policies (under header “Additional tax relief”) o Click here for more information on tax treatment of disaster-related losses o Click here for more information on tax treatment of qualified disaster relief payments Waiver of fuel excise tax: In response to fuel disruptions resulting from the hurricane, IRS has waived the federal excise tax on dyed diesel within the impacted areas. This relief is retroactive to Oct. 9, 2024, and will remain in effect through Oct. 30, 2024. o Click here for more information If you have an IRS issue, or an issue with another federal agency, Congressman Franklin's office can help. Please click here or call (863) 644-8215 for assistance. Florida homeowners and renters in counties who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Milton may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance.
Currently eligible counties: Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia. Ways to Apply for Disaster Aid: FEMA Disaster Assistance Online: www.DisasterAssistance.gov Call: 1-800-621-3362 When you apply, have the following information on hand:
SBA Disaster Assistance Loans Online: www.SBA.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance Call: 1-800-659-2955 USDA - Agriculture Assistance Online: www.Farmers.gov/protection-recovery Call: 1-352-379-4500 Red Cross Online: www.RedCross.org Call: 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) |
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