For storm-related information, call the Charlotte County Call Center from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday at 941-833-4000 or 941-743-1320 Charlotte County Human Services:  www.charlottecountyfl.gov
Follow Charlotte County Emergency Management’s recovery information at www.charlottecountyfl.gov/em, www.facebook.com/oemcharlottecounty, and www.twitter.com/ccoem.

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-----American Red Cross:  1-800-733-2762

-----COAD Community Organizations Active in a Disaster - coadfl.org
Charlotte County community organizations, working together during a disaster to provide coordination of services to ensure that unmet needs are addressed, provide financial assistance and supplies, and to share knowledge and resources with Charlotte County residents during a disaster

-----Donate:  www.FloridaDisasterFund.org

-----Hurricane Disaster Relief through Realtors Relief Foundation. And these funds aren't just for members of the Realtor family — any Florida resident who suffered damage to their primary residence can apply for assistance from the RRF. For full details, Click Here.

-----DEP to Launch Hurricane Restoration Reimbursement Grant Program for Impacted Coastal Homeowners ~Applications will be accepted beginning Feb. 1, 2023~ TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  – The Florida Department of Environmental (DEP) is launching the Hurricane Restoration Reimbursement Grant Program this week to help Floridians in the hardest hit counties offset costs associated with addressing coastal beach erosion from Hurricane Ian or Hurricane Nicole. The online grant application portal will accept applications beginning at 9 a.m. on Feb. 1, 2023.
Funding assistance is available for eligible homeowners who apply and qualify for this program in Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Nassau, Palm Beach, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sarasota and Volusia counties. Projects may include construction projects for sand placement and temporary or permanent coastal armoring.
“We are grateful we are able to help support recovery for these communities,” said DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “DEP has been in these communities since the storms hit, and we look forward to continuing our efforts through this new program to help expedite recovery for affected areas.”
During the December 2022 special legislative session, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature created the Hurricane Restoration Reimbursement Grant Program and allocated $50 million to help coastal homeowners address the damages from coastal erosion during the storms. DEP developed emergency rules for this new program in accordance with Chapter 2022-272 Laws of Florida.
To be eligible for this grant, the owner must be an eligible applicant of an eligible residential property with an eligible project and eligible costs. Additionally, applicants must provide required submittals for reimbursement. The application is designed to help Floridians understand their eligibility. All projects must be permitted prior to implementation and reimbursement, and DEP may reimburse 50% of eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $150,000 per parcel.
Applicants will be able to complete and submit their projects through this portal as well as upload any required documents for their projects, including invoices and payable receipts. DEP has developed tutorials and a Frequently Asked Questions document to help applicants navigate the application portal and understand the provisions of the emergency rules. Although the department encourages online submittal, a paper application is also available.
Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and priority will be given to low- and moderate-income homeowners.
Please visit FloridaDEP.gov/hurricane for more information about the Hurricane Restoration Reimbursement Grant Program, emergency permitting, and the storm recovery assistance resources available seaward of a coastal construction control line.

-----FEMA Extends Individual Assistance Registration Deadline to Jan. 12, 2023:  Apply for assistance www.fema.org  or 1-800-621-3362 Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and use TTY may call 800-462-7585. Disaster survivors who use 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service) may call 800-621-3362.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended the deadline to apply for individual assistance until Jan. 12, 2023.  Apply for FEMA disaster assistance:

• online at DisasterAssistance.gov
• using the FEMA App for mobile devices
• call FEMA toll-free 800-621-3362, 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Help is available in many languages.

-----Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate (850) 413-5923 MyFloridaCFO.com/division/ica/

-----Fraud:  Anyone who believes a representative or work crew is fraudulent and misrepresenting the government should contact local law enforcement.  To report scams, fraud, and identity-theft contact FEMA’s toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.  You may also call the Florida Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection Division Fraud Hotline at 1-866-966-7226 or contact local law enforcement agencies.

-----Verify the license of any prospective contractor by visiting MyFloridaLicense.com, or downloading the DBPR mobile app on iTunes and GooglePlay

-----Volunteer:  www.VolunteerFlorida.org/volunteerconnect  Contractors or Professionals willing to volunteer please register at www.VolunteerFlorida.org/volunteerconnect

-----SHIP -State Housing Initiative Partnership - may have recovery assistance available to help with temporary relocation, rental assistance, debris removal and/or home repairs.  FloridaHousing.org  Charlotte County SHIP Colleen Turner 941-833-6500