Local St. Pete-Clearwater & Tampa Bay, FL news

Tag: FEMA assistance

  • Numerous hurricane survivors remain in limbo, dependent on FEMA’s temporary housing aid. Caught in a permit backlog, many are still unable to start rebuilding their homes. Yet, they now face an unexpected deadline that has taken them by surprise. With spring break underway, Plaza Beach Hotel’s rooms are fully booked, leaving dozens of guests uncertain…

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  • Several homeowners continue to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which submerged entire residential areas last fall. Among those affected are Kim and Michael Barnes, who have lived on their property for two decades. “We couldn’t even reach our home because of the flooding,” Kim Barnes explained. “We had to use my son’s canoe…

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  • The Pinellas County Government is reminding people through social media it’s possible to appeal a FEMA decision if applicants are denied disaster assistance. Here’s what you need to know: Appealing FEMA’s Decision for Disaster Assistance If you’ve applied for FEMA assistance and received a decision letter, you have the right to appeal if you disagree…

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  • The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is set to terminate its transitional shelter assistance for families impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, effective Tuesday. This decision affects those who FEMA has determined no longer qualify for the program. Details on Affected Individuals: Approximately 47,000 residents of Florida have been residing in hotels and motels since…

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  • Families hit hard by the storms face yet another major setback. Many have not been able to return to their homes, and now a looming deadline could force them to pack their bags once again. Hurricanes Helene and Milton’s surge left several Treasure Island communities in shambles. The City of Treasure Island is dealing with…

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  • The deadline to apply for FEMA aid for hurricane relief is today, January 7. Residents affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton need to submit their applications before the end of the day. FEMA representatives have been assisting residents through the application process for months. According to FEMA representative Belinda Borrero, Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) offer…

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  • The deadline to apply for FEMA aid is fast approaching. Applications for assistance from hurricanes Helene and Milton are due by Tuesday, January 7. FEMA representatives have been assisting residents for months. According to FEMA representative Belinda Borrero, Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) offer personalized assistance. “Since we have so many survivors, that’s why we have…

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  • To qualify for a $30,000 grant aimed at hurricane-related home repairs, Pinellas County homeowners must submit their claim to FEMA by January 7. The Hurricane Home Repair Program, designed to assist with storm damage not covered by insurance or FEMA, has no application deadline itself but requires homeowners to have processed their insurance claims and…

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  • FEMA was actively looking for property management companies with ready-to-occupy residential or rental properties to help house Floridians affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton as late as this past weekend. These properties would support FEMA’s temporary housing efforts in communities impacted by the disasters. RELATED: FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers Adjust Operating Hours However, the deadline…

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  • Navigating the aftermath of a storm can be overwhelming. Damage to your home poses challenges not only physically but also emotionally and financially. Many people face the harsh reality of needing to sell their storm-damaged homes but dread the repairs they can’t afford. A critical aspect of this is understanding FEMA’s 50% rule, which complicates…

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  • After nearly two months of continuous operation, FEMA disaster recovery centers across Florida will modify their schedule as the Atlantic hurricane season winds down. Starting yesterday, these centers will no longer be open on Sundays, shifting to a six-day operational week. Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) have served as comprehensive assistance hubs for residents impacted by…

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  • Floridians impacted by Hurricanes Milton and Helene now have until January 7, 2025, to apply for FEMA assistance. This extension offers more time for homeowners and renters to seek financial aid for displacement, basic home repairs, personal property losses, and other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance. RELATED: FEMA Extends Deadline for Hurricane Aid Applications…

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  • The 2024 hurricane season is drawing to a close, bringing a sense of relief to Tampa Bay area residents after a year marked by relentless storms. This season produced 18 named storms, with Hurricanes Helene and Milton delivering the greatest impact on the region. “These were major events for us,” said Mark Wool, a meteorologist…

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  • Florida residents impacted by Hurricanes Milton and Helene now have until January 7, 2025, to apply for FEMA assistance. Eligible homeowners and renters may receive financial aid for displacement, essential home repairs, personal property losses, and other disaster-related expenses that are uninsured or underinsured. How to Apply: For accessible instructions on applying, visit FEMA’s YouTube…

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  • When disaster strikes, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) steps in to help. But what happens when that help is delayed, decreased, or denied? You might feel lost or frustrated. However, there are steps you can take in each of these situations. Let’s break it down. What to Do When Your FEMA Assistance is Delayed Waiting…

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  • Hurricanes Helene and Milton inflicted so much damage that Madeira Beach Mayor Anne-Marie Brooks is concerned about the future of the city’s roughly 4,000 full-time residents, as many struggle to afford the cost of rebuilding. “The impact on our city is immense,” Mayor Brooks told 10 Tampa Bay. “It’s clear Madeira Beach will never look…

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  • Many Floridians are still working to rebuild their lives after recent hurricanes, with FEMA providing critical support to those affected. For survivors of Hurricane Debby, the deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is quickly approaching on November 12, according to FEMA External Affairs Officer Brady Penn. For those impacted by Hurricane Helene, the deadline is…

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  • After the stress of a natural disaster, receiving a denial on your original financial assistance application—and then a rejection on appeal—of your FEMA disaster assistance application can be disheartening. While it may feel like you’ve run out of options, there are still resources and programs available that could provide much-needed support.  READ: How To Appeal…

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  • Receiving a denial on your FEMA disaster assistance application can feel overwhelming, especially when you need immediate support to recover from disaster-related losses. However, a denial doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the road. FEMA allows applicants to appeal decisions, offering a second chance to provide additional information or correct errors that may have impacted…

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  • FEMA has mobilized an unprecedented $2 billion in federal assistance for Hurricane Helene and Milton victims, establishing multiple disaster recovery centers to support affected communities. One such location is at the Florida Botanical Gardens in the Magnolia Room, at 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo, which operates Monday through Sunday 9 am to 7 pm. FEMA,…

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