ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

FEMA provides Florida hurricane recovery update

Posted 6/3/25

As of June 3, 899 FEMA staff are on the ground in Florida to help survivors recover from Hurricanes Milton, Helene and Debby.

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ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

FEMA provides Florida hurricane recovery update

Posted

 

Key Messages

DR-4834-FL Recovery Update 042 June 03 2025.jpg

  • As of June 3, 899 FEMA staff are on the ground in Florida to help survivors recover from Hurricanes Milton, Helene and Debby.
  • FEMA will continue to process applications, receive and manage appeals, conduct inspections and assist applicants and local officials with questions and information about recovery programs.
  • FEMA may call Floridians who applied for disaster assistance from unknown phone numbers. It is important to answer these calls. Survivors should return any missed phone calls.
  • Survivors who applied for FEMA assistance should continue to
    stay in touch with the agency to update their application. Missing or outdated information could result in delays. Homeowners and renters can update their contact information online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by using the FEMA App or by phone at 800-621-3362. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages.

Debris Removal

  • As of June 2, the state of Florida has removed more than 36.5 million cubic yards of debris.

Appeals

  • Survivors who applied for FEMA assistance will receive a decision letter in the mail or via email. If survivors disagree with the decision about their eligibility, they can appeal within 60 days from the date on that letter.  If survivors have questions about their letter or how to appeal, they can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Fraud

Individual Assistance

  • As of June 2, FEMA has approved a total of more than $1.6 billion to help Floridians with losses from Milton, Helene and Debby, including:
    • $799 million approved for Hurricane Milton
    • $787.8 million approved for Hurricane Helene
    • $59.3 million approved for Hurricane Debby
  • FEMA may provide financial assistance to help displaced survivors rent temporary housing.
  • FEMA Rental Assistance is intended to cover the monthly rent amount, which may include a security deposit, at a place other than a damaged home. The rental can be near the survivor’s job, home, school and place of worship. The assistance may include essential utilities such as gas, oil, trash, sewer, electricity, and water, but not cable or Internet.

Public Assistance

  • FEMA has obligated over $1 billion in Public Assistance funds to aid Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Milton.
    • In just over two months from the date Hurricane Milton was presidentially declared, Public Assistance was able to obligate more than $1 billion to the state of Florida - something that has never been done before in Florida.
    • This rapid response highlights the partnership with the State of Florida to aid local governments’ efforts to help communities recover.
    • Milton: Category A (Debris) total obligated: $392,964,344
    • Milton: Category B (Emergency Protective Measures) total obligated: $672,272,332
    • Helene: Category A (Debris) total obligated: $150,458,092
    • Helene: Category B (Emergency Protective Measures) total obligated: $356,305,901

National Flood Insurance Program

  • As of June 2, NFIP has paid $6.98 billion in claims to 63,489 claimants from Milton, Helene and Debby. NFIP Information is available online at https://www.floodsmart.gov/

U.S. Small Business Administration

DR-4806

DR-4828

DR-4834

Applications: 1,953

Applications: 22,106

Applications: 45,863

Dollars Approved: $41,004,071

Dollars Approved: $836,191,361

Dollars Approved: $750,704,109

Additional Resources

§ Activate Hope: Displaced survivors can apply for State Non-Congregate Sheltering by visiting the Activate Hope website at hopeflorida.com and filling out the Assistance Request Form or by calling the Hope Florida support line at 833-GET-HOPE (833-438-4673).

§ Florida 211: Whether it’s a natural or human-caused disaster, a mental health issue, searching for job training or a food pantry, Florida 211 connects people to help, with a caring human on the other end of the phone. It’s a go-to, 24/7 free resource that can connect you with a wide range of social services and resources, including food, housing, utilities payment assistance, health care, transportation, childcare, employment opportunities, mental health crises, disaster information and assistance, and more.

§ FDEM Statewide Debris Dashboard: Debris Survey Results (Milton).

§ 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 operating these centers to assist residents with storm recovery. FEMA specialists are available at most centers.

§ U.S. Department of Agriculture/Farm Services Agency: emergency_disaster_designation_declaration_process-factsheet.pdf.

§ FEMA & Citizenship: You or a member of your household must be U.S. citizen, non-U.S. citizen national or qualified non-citizen to qualify for FEMA assistance.

§ FEMA Rumor Response: Know what’s true and what isn’t. Hurricane Rumor Response | FEMA.gov.

§ Small Business Hurricane Recovery Grant Program FAQs | U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

§ 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.

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