Hurricane Recovery Resources

Hurricane Recovery Resources

As Florida closely prepares for the impact of Hurricane Ian, here are some resources compiled by FAA staff. These resources will be updated as more information becomes available. 

General Information

If you are without electricity: Review this food safety guide for when to discard your perishable food. http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/refridg_food.html

If you are without air conditioning: This can be the most uncomfortable side effect of losing power during a storm. Try to prevent as much light from entering and warming the house by covering up your windows on the inside. If you have back-up or battery operated fans, don't run them unless you are in the room. Fans create a difference in perceived temperature but do not cool the room; instead, they create a cooling effect by dispersing the heat off your skin. It is said they can actually add heat to a room just by running.

If you do not have running water: Use water stored in bathtub or washing machine ONLY for washing and flushing.

For more information, see http://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/hurricane-preparedness-guide.aspx

NCFAA Suppliers Can Help

For tree removal, cleanup, landscaping, mold remediation, roofing/ tarps, remodel/renovation and more, please see NCFAA's Supplier Directory at https://www.NCFAA.net/directory/. 

Housing Availability Information

For finding available housing or to list apartments as available:

Florida Housing Finance Corporation (affordable housing): www.floridahousingsearch.org/

Emergency Assistance and Information

FEMA: https://www.fema.gov/states/florida

Florida Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/ns/apology/disaster_homepage.html

Florida Division of Emergency Management: https://www.floridadisaster.org/

United Way of Florida: http://www.uwof.org/

National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Price Gouging

Florida Statute 501.160 states that during a state of emergency, it is unlawful to sell, lease, offer to sell, or offer for lease essential commodities, dwelling units, or self-storage facilities for an amount that grossly exceeds the average price for that commodity during the 30 days before the declaration of the state of emergency, unless the seller can justify the price by showing increases in its prices or market trends. Examples of necessary commodities are food, ice, gas, and lumber.

Florida Price Gouging Hotline: http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/Main/5D2710E379EAD6BC85256F03006AA2C5?OpenDocument

Late Rental Payments and Lease Termination Due to Disaster

Fl Statute 83.63 provides information on damage to unit and rental agreements: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0000-0099/0083/Sections/0083.63.html

83.63 Casualty damage.—If the premises are damaged or destroyed other than by the wrongful or negligent acts of the tenant so that the enjoyment of the premises is substantially impaired, the tenant may terminate the rental agreement and immediately vacate the premises. The tenant may vacate the part of the premises rendered unusable by the casualty, in which case the tenant’s liability for rent shall be reduced by the fair rental value of that part of the premises damaged or destroyed. If the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord shall comply with s. 83.49(3).

Insurance Resources

Insurance consumer helpline: 877-693-5236 http://www.myfloridacfo.com/

National Apartment Association Resources

NAA Emergency and Disaster Library

10 Things to Do When Dealing with a Hurricane, Units, 2008

Send an email to stormrecovery@naahq.org and tell NAA:

• How have you been impacted by Ian?
• Are you accessing federal recovery resources through FEMA, the Small Business Administration or other federal agencies? What has been your experience?
• What are the remaining obstacles to bringing your apartment community or rental housing property back to full operation?

Your information and specific examples will assist NAA in communicating with federal lawmakers and other authorities.

How You Can Help

You can give online to the Red Cross here: https://www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-irma-donations, by calling 1-800-Red-CROSS or, by texting IRMA to 90999 to donate $10.

The Florida Disaster Fund helps provide financial support to Florida’s communities in times of disaster. To make a contribution, please visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222 to make a one-time donation of $10.

You can give online to the Salvation Army here: www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/hurricanes2017 

If you have material goods or funds to assist in creating hurricane relief kits you can give online to Hatching Hope here: http://hatchinghopeofalabama.org/