FEMA has announced that federal disaster assistance is now available to support recovery efforts in Florida following the impact of Hurricane Debby, which began on August 1, 2024, and continues to affect the state.
This declaration by the President enables federal funding to be provided to individuals in the hardest-hit counties, including Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Manatee, Sarasota, Suwannee, and Taylor.
The assistance may include grants for temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, and other programs aimed at helping individuals and business owners recover from the disaster’s aftermath.
Read: Florida GOP Lawmakers Urge President Biden To Approve Major Disaster Declaration
In addition to individual assistance, federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations, on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in the affected counties. These include Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Sarasota, Suwannee, and Taylor counties. Federal funds are also being made available statewide for hazard mitigation measures on a cost-sharing basis.
John E. Brogan has been appointed as the Federal Coordinating Officer to oversee federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Further designations may be made as damage assessments continue.
Read: Video: Hurricane Debby Flooded Road Rescue Caught On Camera In Parrish, Florida
Individuals and business owners in the designated areas who have sustained losses can begin applying for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA App. Those who use relay services, such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, should provide FEMA with the number for that service.
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