Oct 10 2024

A Comprehensive Guide to Recovery after Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton made landfall on the west coast of Florida in the Tampa Bay region Wednesday night. While our community did not receive a direct hit. The storm caused damage state-wide. Today is Day One of recovery.

As Milton approached Florida, the hurricane produced over 120 significant, powerful tornadoes across the state. These tornadoes ripped through our communities causing wide-spread devastation.

Our community can and will move forward. As Milton departs over the Atlantic, our homes, the businesses damaged and recovery needs will vary between each county affected. Below is a guide to the response we’ll be undergoing:

IF YOU SUFFERED PROPERTY DAMAGE:

First and foremost, photograph and video all damage before you pick up anything. This will be key to getting adequate and fair financial compensation from your insurance provider and other relief agencies. Following this, contact your insurance provider and file a claim. Here are some suggestions for tornado damage:

  • Begin working on your insurance claim as soon as possible.
  • Request a virtual tour of your damaged property with your insurance agent.
  • Do not take a full settlement from your insurance unless it is ruled a total/complete loss. This is because there may be unseen damage to your properties.
  • Keep and maintain all documentation concerning repairs, insurance, and other relief.
  • There is a ten-day protected window to leave your contract with your roofer.
  • There is a thirty-day protected window to leave your contract with a public adjuster.
  • Contact the Florida CFO office at 877-693-5236

While FEMA’s individual assistance program is for those without insurance, those with insurance can still apply. In some cases FEMA can fill in the gaps left by your primary insurer.

If you need more immediate assistance with cleanup, I suggest calling the crisis cleanup hotline at (844) 965-1386 or visiting https://crisiscleanup.org/disasters/171. This hotline will close on Friday, October 25, 2024. This free service hotline will put you in contact with local relief organizations, but note that the availability of assistance is subject to the demand for requests.

At this time, FEMA must do a damage assessment of our communities. You can apply for disaster relief through FEMA. See the information below regarding FEMA.

For business owners, the Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery & equipment, inventory, and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. See below:

PERSONAL RELIEF:

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted due to a major disaster and who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits. If you require DUA, visit this website.

We are fortunate to have both the Red Cross and Salvation Army chapters serving our communities, providing various resources and disaster assistance, whether medical supplies or food. See below:

DISASTER SERVICES FOR VETERANS

If you or a veteran you know need immediate housing assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, call the 24/7 National Call Center for Homeless Veterans hotline: (800) 424-3838

  • If you cannot receive a benefit payment after a disaster, contact the VA National Call Center at 1-800-827-1000 to request a special one-time payment.
  • If you’re a displaced Veteran and receive VA employment services, you may qualify for two additional months of Employee Adjustment Allowance. Contact your local VA regional office to speak with a Veteran Readiness & Employment specialist to learn more.

POSTAL SERVICE

Please note that some post offices in St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach Counties are temporarily suspended until further notice.

  • Fort Pierce, 5000 W. Midway Rd., 34981
  • Fort Pierce Orange Avenue, 1717 Orange Ave., 34950
  • Hobe Sound, 9995 SE Federal Hwy., 33455
  • Indiantown, 15300 E. Thelma Waters Ave., 34956
  • Jensen Beach, 2301 NE Savannah Rd., 34957
  • Palm City, 1257 SW Martin Hwy., 34990
  • Palm City Annex, 3205 SW Corporate Way, 34990
  • Port Salerno, 4755 SE Dixie Hwy., 34992
  • Port St Lucie, 290 NW Peacock Blvd., 34986
  • Port St. Lucie – Midport Branch, 2255 SE Veterans Memorial Pkwy., 34952
  • Stuart, 801 Johnson Ave., 34994
  • Stuart Annex, 4411 SE Federal Hwy., 34997
You can check it out on this website page.

Please note: Postal Service disruptions may affect mail-in ballot processing. Contact your local election officials to track your ballots and any other concerns. Their contact information is provided below:

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