FEMA offers resource guide
Recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian are underway, and we are here for you as we begin to rebuild even stronger and better! Please use this resource guide to assist you.
FREE RESOURCES
☐ FEMA: FEMA aids individuals and families who have disaster-caused damages to their homes as a result of a presidentially declared disaster. FEMA can help with other assistance needs, such as disaster-caused childcare needs, disaster medical expenses or necessary clean-up items. Phone: 800-621-3362
Link: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
☐ FEMA DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS: FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are in-person facilities and mobile offices you can visit to learn more about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs. You may also visit to ask questions about your case. A DRC may be able to help you: apply for assistance, find housing and rental assistance information, get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance, and more.
FORT MYERS DMS BUILDING
2295 Victoria Ave.
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Hours of Operation: Mon-Sun 8am – 7pm
LAKES REGIONAL LIBRARY
15290 Bass Road
Fort Myers, FL 33919
Hours of Operation: Mon-Sun 9am – 6pm
☐ OPERATION BLUE ROOF: this is a priority mission managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 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. Phone: 888-766-3258
Link: https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Emergency-Operations/Blue-Roof[1]Information/
☐ AMERICAN RED CROSS: If you need a safe place to stay, find a hot meal, charge your phone, pick up relief supplies, find an open shelter, or get other essential help, the American Red Cross is available and ready to help anyone who has been impacted by
Hurricane Ian. Phone: 1-800-RED CROSS
Link: https://www.redcross.org/get-help.html
☐ AIRBNB Open Homes Program: Airbnb helps individuals affected by a natural disaster by offering free temporary housing to displaced individuals.
Link: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2591/how-to-book-an-emergency-stay-through[1]airbnborg
☐ UNITED WAY 211 HELPLINE: United Way 211 is a free 24-hour non-emergency helpline that exists to help people navigate their way through the maze of human and social service agencies in Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties by providing the most adequate resources for the client’s situation. Phone: 2-1-1 OR 239-433-3900
☐ MEALS ON WHEELS: Meals on Wheels operates in virtually every community in America through its network of more than 5,000 independently-run local programs.
Link: https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/find-meals
Updated Oct. 13
☐ CRISIS CLEANUP: If you need assistance with damage from Hurricane Ian, call the Crisis Cleanup Hotline. You will be connected to volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups, and faith communities. Phone: 1-800-451-1954
☐ SALVATION ARMY: The Salvation Army is responding to Hurricane Ian, providing food, drinks, shelter, emotional and spiritual care, and other emergency services to survivors and rescue workers Link: https://salvationarmyflorida.org/fortmyers/
☐ FEEDING FLORIDA: Feeding Florida, formerly the Florida Association of Food Banks, is the state’s network of food banks helping with Hurricane Ian recovery efforts.
Link: https://www.feedingflorida.org/taking-action/find-food-now/county/lee-county
☐ COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE: The nonprofit provides emergency groceries, hot food,social services as well as Meals on Wheels food and mobile food pantry deliveries throughout Lee and North Collier County.Link: https://communitycooperative.com/ Phone: 239-332-7687
FREE HEALTH & WELLNESS RESOURCES
☐ TELADOC HEALTH: Teladoc Health activated their natural disaster support hotline for general medical care at no cost for individuals who have been displaced or impacted
by Hurricane Ian in Florida.
Natural Disaster Hotline: 855-225-5032
Natural Disaster Hotline Website: https://www.teladoc.com/disaster-hotline/
☐ EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP): EAP is a FREE, confidential benefit you may use to help you cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
Phone: 800-624-5544 Link: eap.ndbh.com | Company Code: Cape Coral
☐ FLORIDA BLUE COMMUNITY SPECIALISTS: They can help with community and social services like food programs, transportation services, financial and housing assistance programs, community support resources, and many other types of relief programs. Phone: 877-352-5830
☐ NATIONAL DISASTER DISTRESS HELPLINE: National hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Phone: 800-985-5990
IRS TAX RELIEF
☐ The Internal Revenue Service has announced that Victims of Hurricane Ian have until Feb. 15, 2023, to file various individual and business tax returns. Individuals and households that reside or have a business anywhere in the State of Florida qualify for the extended due date. Qualifying taxpayers with a valid extension to file their 2021 Federal Income Tax Return no longer need to file their tax return by Oct. 17, 2022, but rather have until Feb. 15, 2023, to file the return.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
☐ 457 EMERGENCY WITHDRAWALS: Employees with MissionSquare or Nationwide 457 accounts may apply for emergency withdrawals due to significant damage or loss from Hurricane Ian.
MissionSquare: https://www.missionsq.org/ | Phone: 800-669-7400
Nationwide: https://www.nrsforu.com/ | Phone: 877-677-3678
Updated Oct. 13
CAPE CORAL UPDATES
☐ EMERGENCY PERMITTING: The first phase of the Disaster Recovery procedures focuses on helping residents and business owners obtain the necessary permits and inspections to correct the damage to their current inhabitable homes and businesses, with expedited permitting and review. Permitting related to storm damage will be given priority over the processing of other work.
Cape Coral City Hall
1015 Cultural Park Blvd.
Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-6 p.m. | Sat 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cape Coral Art Center
4533 Coronado Pkwy.
Opening at 9 a.m. on Oct. 14
Link: https://www.capecoral.gov/government/city_government/city_manager/office_of_commu
☐ ELECTRICAL INSPECTIONS: If you have damage between your electrical pole and home (e.g. riser, weather head), an electrical inspection is needed for power restoration.
Email jokapal@capecoral.gov or tcurtis@capecoral.gov. Phone: 239-574-0555
☐ COMMUNITY DISTRIBUTION SITE:
Ocean Church
2016 Kismet Parkway E.
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
LEE COUNTY UPDATES
☐ BONITA SPRINGS UPDATES:
Link: http://www.cityofbonitasprings.org/
☐ ESTERO UPDATES:
Link: https://estero-fl.gov/
☐ FORT MYERS UPDATES:
Link: https://www.cityftmyers.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1388
☐ FORT MYERS BEACH UPDATES:
Link: https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=876
☐ LEE COUNTY UPDATES:
Link: https://www.leegov.com/hurricane/storm
☐ SANIBEL UPDATES:
Link: https://www.mysanibel.com/hurricane/hurricane-ian
☐ HOTELS & MOTELS THAT PARTICIPATE IN FEMA VOUCHER PROGRAM:
Link: https://www.cityftmyers.com/DocumentCenter/View/19114/Lee-County-FL–Hotels[1]and-Motels–FEMA-Properties-2021?bidId=
HOW TO START YOUR RECOVERY PROCESS
☐ Follow these three (3) steps to start your recovery process:
1: Take photos of your damaged home and belongings.
2. Make a list of damaged/lost items
3. If you have any HOMEOWNERS, RENTERS, or PROPERTY INSURANCE, you
MUST file a claim with your insurance company FIRST before applying for any ‘gap’ insurance.