Information to Help After a Tropical Storm or Hurricane

Florida Realtors® infographics for immediate needs

• Tech Helpline infographic: Provides details about the Tech Help Line to keep you connected. Click here to download.
• Legal Hotline infographic: Provides information about Florida Realtors Legal Hotline for legal assistance when you need it most. Click here to download.

DBPR relief

Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) has temporarily eased rules in the counties affected by Hurricane Isaias, including:

• Waiving fees for adding real estate branch offices or school locations.

• Allowing certain contractors more flexibility to perform roofing and other storm repairs.

• Easing restrictions on temporary lodging for displaced residents.

• Extending certain condo and HOA board education deadlines.

View DBPR emergency orders and updates

Business resources

• FloridaCommerce has activated the $10 million Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to help businesses that suffered physical damage or economic losses from Isaias. Apply for an emergency bridge loan or call 833-832-4494 for program information.
• For other storm-related business questions, the FloridaCommerce Private Sector Hotline, 850-815-4925, is available daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FEMA assistance

• Apply for FEMA assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply using the FEMA mobile app or by calling FEMA's helpline toll-free at 800-621-3362. FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property losses or other disaster-caused needs.  

Assistance from HUD

• HUD-approved counseling agencies help homeowners get back on their feet by determining individual needs and creating personalized action plans. Search for a HUD counselor here.

Insurance resources

• Florida Office of Insurance Regulation: Searchable Database of Florida insurance providers (including property)
• Insurance Information Institute: Hurricane season insurance guide
• For the National Flood Insurance Program, call 877-336-2627.
• Florida’s Insurance Consumer Helpline, 877-693-5236,  helps with coverage and claims, or visit its Isaias page for guidance and insurer contacts.

Housing help

• Florida Housing Finance Corp.: Works with state and federal officials to provide information on disaster relief and recovery resources and information.
• Florida Housing: This free state resource for renters and property managers in Florida features dynamic search options can help you find available rental housing that fits your needs and income.
• HurricaneHomes.org: Local Realtor associations are building a safe platform for the community to access rentals for temporary housing in some areas of Florida.. 
• Home and business repairs: Before hiring a contractor, verify the individual or company is licensed and insured at www.myfloridalicense.com. 
• Airbnb.org is offering free emergency stays to eligible residents in areas under mandatory evacuation orders following Hurricane Isaias. Call 211 to request help and check eligibility.

Mortgage assistance

• Mortgages must still be paid after a hurricane, but Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA have programs to help after a disaster – providing homeowners request it. Click here to learn more.

Legal questions

• Click here for an overview of key bad weather provisions in the Florida Realtors/Florida Bar “AS IS” Residential Contract for Sale and Purchase, along with one reference to the casualty provision contained in the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
• Landlord-tenant concerns: Click here for answers to common questions about rental properties from Florida Realtors legal team.

Tech help 

• The Florida Realtors Tech Helpline, 407-587-1450, provides troubleshooting for computers, software and devices.

Additional resources

• Disaster Legal Hotline is open to assist and refer callers: 833-514-2940. Also, survivors can call FEMA's toll-free legal services hotline anytime and leave a message for a callback at (866) 550-2929
• Samaritan’s Purse hotline: 1-833-747-1234 free assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster. Volunteers may be able to assist with removal of personal property and furniture, flood cleanup, sanitizing with shockwave treatment, chainsaw work and debris clean-up, temporary roof tarping.
• Red Cross Hotline: 1-800-Red Cross
• Florida Baptists Disaster Relief Public Assistance: 904-253-0502 or text Helene to 27123. Free assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster. Volunteers may be able to assist with storm debris cleanup, temporary roof tarping, chainsaw work and muckouts.
• Hurricane Crisis Cleanup number: Volunteer organizations will remove storm debris and assist with other storm clean up at no charge. For more details on specific assistance available, please call the Crisis Clean Up Hotline at 1-844-965-1386.
• Tool Bank USA: Provides tools, equipment and expertise to aid in recovery and cleanup efforts.
• Rebuilding Together: Provides free critical home repair to neighbors in need throughout Tampa Bay and Southwest, North and Central Florida.
• Strongward: Helps communities affected by major disasters rebuild, recover and return home.
• All Hands and Hearts: Addresses immediate and long-term community needs.
• CWS: Provides emergency response and recovery services for individuals and communities.
• Plain Compassion Disaster Response: Provides humanitarian aid to individuals in immediate distress.
• AlertFlorida: Sign up for emergency alerts in your county. 
• FloridaDisaster.org: Provides up-to-date statewide information about the storm, including shelters, evacuation information, executive orders and price gouging
• State Assistance Information Line: A toll-free hotline activated at the time of an emergency to provide an additional resource for those in Florida to receive accurate and up-to-date information regarding an emergency or disaster situation impacting the State of Florida.There are English, Spanish & Creole speakers available to answer questions. Call 1-800-342-3557. 
• Floridajobs.org: Find the most recent information from the state on businesses offering services and assistance, including accommodation and lodging partners, major retailers offering assistance, state partnerships, including updates from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing), 
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: The Section 203(h) program allows the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to insure mortgages made by qualified lenders to victims of a major disaster who have lost their homes and are in the process of rebuilding or buying another home. It helps victims in presidentially designated disaster areas recover by making it easier for them to get mortgages and become homeowners or re-establish themselves as homeowners.
• Florida Disaster Contractors Network: Florida’s Disaster Contractors Network (DCN) has been activated to provide support to homeowners in need of post-hurricane home repairs. This is a free service founded in part by the state agency that regulates Florida’s construction industry, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Its mission is simple – connect homeowners needing emergency repairs with licensed contractors and construction suppliers.
• SNAP recipients in certain Florida counties who lost food during Hurricane Isaias may qualify for replacement benefits. Apply by October 19.