Hurricane Milton Update No. 29
Hillsborough County, Fla. (Oct. 12, 2024) – Residents impacted by Hurricane Milton can now apply for aid through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Residents in Hillsborough County who were impacted by Hurricane Milton can apply for FEMA assistance through the following programs:
- Individual Assistance - Assistance to individuals and households
- Public Assistance - Assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities (Categories A & B)
- Hazard Mitigation Grant Program - Assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards
The programs provide financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. The assistance is intended to meet basic needs, supplement disaster recovery efforts, emergency work assistance, replacement of disaster-damaged facilities, and mitigation assistance. Residents who need long-term housing are encouraged to apply for individual assistance with FEMA as soon as possible.
Hillsborough County residents who were impacted by Hurricane Milton can apply for FEMA assistance if they have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs, according to FEMA. However, the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster.
What does FEMA assistance for the IHP include?
- Funds for temporary housing while you are unable to live in your home, such as rental assistance or reimbursement for hotel costs
- Funds to support the repair or replacement of owner-occupied homes that serve as the household’s primary residence, including privately-owned access routes, such as driveways, roads, or bridges
- A temporary housing unit when you are not able to use rental assistance due to a lack of available housing resources
- Funds for hazard mitigation assistance to help eligible homeowners repair or rebuild stronger, more durable homes
- Funds for other uninsured or under-insured disaster-caused expenses and serious need
To apply for FEMA assistance
- Visit Disasterassistance.gov. From this page you can review the application process, apply for Individual Assistance, and check the status of your application.
For application help, call the FEMA Helpline, (800) 621-3362, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
For technical support or site errors, call the Internet Help Desk, (800) 745-0243, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
Additionally, Hillsborough County has created a webpage with local, state, and national resources available to residents as they recover from Hurricane Helene. Residents can find these resources at HCFL.gov/StormRecovery.
Get Connected. Stay Alert.
Make sure to have a plan. Residents and visitors are encouraged to register for HCFL Alert, Hillsborough County’s official public notification system for emergency and urgent alerts. To receive messages by email, phone, and text, go to HCFL.gov/HCFLAlert. For the latest emergency-related information visit HCFL.gov/StaySafe. Residents without digital access are encouraged to call (833) HC STORM or (833) 427-8676, the County's storm information and helpline.