FEMA

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers across the state will close for Thanksgiving starting Wednesday, Nov. 22. The centers in Hillsborough, Charlotte and Dixie counties will close permanently starting Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 5 p.m.

The storm ripped through the Big Bend region as a Category 3 storm, devastating the town's fishing and boating community.

If you applied for FEMA assistance, FEMA inspectors may contact you to schedule a home inspection. A FEMA inspection determines whether a home is safe, sanitary, functional and accessible.

Floridians whose property sustained damage from Hurricane Idalia have until Nov. 29 to apply for federal assistance.

Florida homeowners and renters in 18 counties who had uninsured losses caused by Hurricane Idalia have until Nov. 29, 2023, to apply for FEMA disaster assistance.

The center is located at Fasano Regional Hurricane Shelter, 11611 Denton Ave. in Hudson. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

After a natural disaster, a variety of resources become available through emergency declarations to aid in the cleanup process. FEMA financial assistance is just one of many ways to receive help after a weather event.

Churches and nonprofits find some are reluctant to report problems or seek assistance.

South Sarasota County’s United Way leads effort to find those still suffering and link them with needed resources.

The lawsuit claims the overhaul of the National Flood Insurance Program will drive up homeowners' insurance rates for more than 1 million Florida policies.

Forecasters have predicted 12 to 17 named storms will form with five to nine developing into hurricanes. One to four of those could grow into major hurricanes.

Broward schools worked overtime to prepare flood-damaged schools for students to return. But many residents are counting on FEMA and the local government as they try to recover from the devastating damage.