Hurricane Helene recovery resources
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hurricane Helene Individual and Household Assistance
On Sept. 28, 2024, FEMA declared Hillsborough County eligible for Individual Assistance through the Individual and Households Program (IHP). This program provides financial assistance and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by Hurricane Helene. Assistance and services may cover uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs.
Before you apply
If you have insurance (homeowners, flood, auto, etc.), file a claim as soon as possible. Losses already covered by insurance cannot be covered by FEMA.
To apply for Individual and Household 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
FEMA’s FAQs page will answer most application and technical questions.
- For help completing your application, call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362, 7 AM to 10 PM, seven days a week.
- For technical support or site errors, call the Internet Help Desk at , (800) 745-0243, 7 AM to 10 PM, seven days a week.
Hillsborough County Disaster Declaration Permitting
Due to the impact of Hurricane Helene, some residential and commercial structures may be in need of minor repairs.
Florida Statute 553.7922 allows for communities to follow special processing procedures to expedite permitting for these repairs.
Structures that may require major repairs will need to be further evaluated before permits may be issued. View Hillsborough County Disaster Declaration Permitting Special Processing Procedures to learn more.
Questions regarding emergency permitting? Call (833) HC-STORM, or (833) 427-8676.
Additional Resource:
View Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Reform Action Section 1206 to learn more about building code and floodplain management administration and enforcement activities eligible for reimbursement through the FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) program.
Residents in need of assistance
Report damage or get information about storm debris cleanup.
Damage Reporting Form
The Hurricane Helene Damage Reporting Form is designed to help Hillsborough County officials connect residents with local recovery resources.
Homeowners and owners/renters of agricultural properties, nonprofits, and houses of worship should complete this form, which will help County staff communicate resident needs to local partners, such as American Red Cross, Feeding Tampa Bay, Metropolitan Ministries, Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, and more.
Residents who need assistance in completing the form should call (833) HC-STORM or 833-427-8676, the County's Customer Service & Support storm information line.
This County assessment form IS NOT a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) application. To register with FEMA, visit DisasterAssistance.gov.
Please keep in mind that completing this form DOES NOT replace a business or homeowner’s insurance claim, nor does it serve as an application for resources.
Hillsborough County Comfort Stations
Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa opened six comfort stations to help residents affected by Hurricane Helene. Two comfort stations are in the City of Tampa and four other locations are in Town 'N Country, Apollo Beach, and Ruskin.
The comfort stations offer showers, restrooms, ice, washers and dryers for laundry, and charging stations for phones, laptops, and other communications devices.
- No ID required at Comfort Stations.
Hot food or boxed meals will be served at all Comfort Station locations at approximately lunch and dinner times.
If you need transportation assistance to and from a comfort station, call (833) HC STORM or (833) 427-8676 daily from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Find Comfort Station locations and hours of operation.
Storm debris cleanup
Hillsborough County will be collecting storm debris from County neighborhoods most heavily affected by Hurricane Helene. Residents in the County's collection areas impacted by flooding should place debris curbside without blocking the roadway or storm drains. To ensure smooth collection, materials should be separated into three categories: yard waste, damaged household appliances, and construction and demolition debris to include furniture, drywall, carpet and fencing. Bagged waste and household hazardous waste, such as paint or car batteries, will not be accepted as part of this storm-related pickup. To learn more, visit the pickup map.
Business damage assessment
The State of Florida has opened the Business Damage Assessment Survey for Hurricane Helene. Please take a moment to complete the survey. Completing the survey helps to ensure the appropriate services are available during recovery.
Business Damage Assessment Survey
Hurricane Helene Agricultural Impacts Survey Available
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is conducting a survey to determine agricultural damages from Hurricane Helene. Survey results will be used to estimate production losses and inform local, state, and federal decision-making related to disaster declaration, response, and relief. See go.ufl.edu/damage-assessment-faqs or more FAQs and to access the survey.
Disaster Recovery Center
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM), and Hillsborough County open Disaster Recovery Center
Disaster Recovery Center
Hillsborough Community College (HCC) at The Regent
6437 Watson Rd., Riverview, FL 33578.
Hours of operation:
Monday, Sept. 30, 1 to 6 PM
Tuesday, Oct. 1 through Sunday, Oct. 6, 9 AM to 6 PM
Representatives from FEMA, the Florida Small Business Administration (SBA), and stakeholders will be present to assist residents who want to file a FEMA application for Individual Assistance through the Individual and Households Program (IHP) for Hurricane Helene.
Additional Recovery Resources