FEMA: Hurricane Sally Recovery Update

KEY MESSAGES

• Applicants for FEMA assistance will receive a letter from FEMA by mail or email. It is important to read it carefully because it will include the amount of any assistance FEMA may provide to you and information on the appropriate use of disaster assistance funds. You may need to submit additional information for FEMA to continue to process your application.
  • If you have questions about the letter, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585 (TTY).
• After you apply for disaster assistance from FEMA, you may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). It is important to submit a disaster loan application as soon as possible. If your application is approved, you are not obligated to accept an SBA loan. But failure to return the application will disqualify you from other possible FEMA assistance, such as disaster-related car repairs, clothing, household items and other expenses.

How to register for FEMA assistance

Homeowners and renters in Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties who had uninsured losses from Hurricane Sally may be eligible for federal disaster assistance from FEMA. You can register with FEMA in several ways:

• By visiting DisasterAssistance.gov
• Downloading the FEMA App for smartphones
• Calling 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should provide FEMA with their specific phone number assigned to that service.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Sally. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is accepting applications for DUA from residents and businesses in Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties. Individuals affected in these designated-disaster areas must file DUA applications by Nov. 6, 2020.

To file a DUA claim go to www.FloridaJobs.org or call 800-385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET (6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. CT) to assist claimants. For DUA claim information, call 833-FL-APPLY (833-352-7759) and choose the speak to an agent option. Visit FloridaJobs.org to find information on how to apply for DUA and Frequently Asked Questions. 

Mobile Registration Intake Centers

If you need help registering or want information about disaster assistance, you can visit a Mobile Registration Intake Center at these locations: 

ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32507
Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto St., Pensacola, FL 32505
Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Escambia County Extension Service, 3740 Stefani Rd., Cantonment, FL 32533
Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

BAY COUNTY
Bay County Public Library, 898 West 11^th St, Panama City, FL 32401
Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

OKALOOSA COUNTY
Northwest Florida Fairgrounds, 1958 Lewis Turner Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Pensacola State College, South Santa Rosa Center, 5075 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Pensacola State College, 5988 U.S. 90, Milton, FL 32583
Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

WALTON COUNTY
Gene Hurley Park, 965 Gene Hurley Road, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Days of operation: Oct. 13-Oct. 17

Freeport Regional Sports Complex
563 Hammock Trail East, Freeport, FL 32439
Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Days of operation: Oct. 18-Oct. 22

Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast
427 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Days of operation: Oct. 23-Oct 28

After you register

After you apply for federal disaster assistance, it is important that FEMA be able to contact you. Be aware that phone calls from FEMA may appear to come from unidentified numbers and make sure that FEMA has your current contact information. FEMA may call to obtain more information for your application or to conduct a remote home inspection in order to be able to continue processing your application.

By the numbers (10/14/2020)

• 3,023 individuals and households approved for $12.9 million in FEMA assistance, including:

  • $10.7 million approved for housing assistance
  • $2.2 million approved for other disaster-related needs

• 5,607 home inspections completed

• $3.6 million in SBA loans approved

• 4,252 claims filed with the National Flood Insurance Program; $19.2 million paid

DisasterAssistance.gov

Survivors are strongly encouraged to set up a disaster account with FEMA online.

• Go to DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Select “Apply Online” and follow instructions. You will be asked for your Zip Code and connected to Hurricane Sally disaster assistance.
• A PIN will be sent to the email address on file. You can then log into your account.
• Documents can be uploaded in the Upload Center.

FEMA Public Assistance (PA)

Under the major disaster declaration, FEMA is authorized to provide Public Assistance for debris removal, emergency measures and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged public facilities such as roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities and parks for the following counties:

• Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington.

For guidance on debris removal processes, residents should contact their local government.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA):

Business owners, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help recover from losses not covered by insurance, grants or other services.

Applicants may apply online using SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/. Or they may email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

SBA is operating a Business Recovery Center at East Pensacola Heights Clubhouse, 3208 E. Gonzalez St., Pensacola, FL 32503. Business owners can meet with SBA representatives and get help with low-interest disaster loans. Hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.

For additional information about SBA disaster loans, the loan application process, or for help completing the SBA application, visit SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call 800-877-8339.

Resources

• Florida 211
  The call goes to local helpline call centers that have crisis counselors for disaster recovery and can provide information on access to local resources such as housing, food and health care. Dial: 211

• Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of Consumer Services has resources for consumers seeking to file insurance complaints.

For mental health resources after a disaster, visit: www.floridadisaster.org/globalassets/info-pages/mental-health-resources.pdf