Hurricane Milton Update No. 35
Hillsborough County, Fla. (Oct. 14, 2024) – Hillsborough County, in conjunction with the National Guard, is set to open a comfort station to help residents affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton today.
The comfort station is located at the Progress Village Senior Center, 8701 Progress Blvd., Tampa, FL 33619.
The site opened at noon today, Oct. 14, and then will operate daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice.
The comfort station will offer showers, restrooms, washers and dryers for laundry, and a cooling tent. Hot food or boxed meals will be available at lunch and dinner times.
Residents who need transportation assistance to and from the comfort station should call (833) HC STORM or (833) 427-8676 daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In addition to the comfort station, the County and National Guard opened PODs yesterday. The sites are located strategically throughout the county. No IDs are required at the comfort station or PODs.
Residents With Unmet Needs
Residents are encouraged to report unmet needs due to impacts from Hurricane Milton by completing this easy-to-use online form at HCFL.gov/DamageAssessment.
If you need assistance completing the form, call (833) HC-STORM or (833) 427-8676, the County's storm information and helpline. The information will be routed to the appropriate County department, which will respond within 72 hours.
FEMA
Residents impacted by Hurricane Milton can now apply for aid through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). When applying for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster Individual Assistance, residents who have unmet needs for necessities such as food, shelter, and clothing can receive an initial $750 in Serious Needs Assistance without being required to conduct an inspection.
If you were displaced from your home due to Hurricane Milton storm damage and are staying in a car, with a friend or family member, in a hotel or shelter – anywhere that isn’t the home you were in prior to the storm – FEMA disaster Individual Assistance is also available to you now.
Once you confirm you are displaced and complete the application, it will generate your FEMA number. You should use this number when applying for additional assistance through HOPE Florida.
Get Connected. Stay Alert.
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.