In the wake of Hurricane Milton, here is a list of local and national resources to help you and your neighbors get help with everything from cleanup to small business funding. Of course, the Legal Aid of Manasota team is also here to help in any way we can, from answering questions about FEMA applications and insurance claims to providing assistance with landlord and tenant disputes and more. Call us at (941) 366-0038 with any questions.
Sarasota County Government
Call 311 for county alerts and the most up-to-date information on recovery efforts or visit mymanatee.org/storm
Manatee County Government
Call 311 for county alerts and the most up-to-date information on recovery efforts or visit scgov.net/storm
FEMA
To apply for FEMA individual assistance for Hurricane Milton, choose one of the three following options. Note that if you already registered for FEMA individual assistance for Hurricanes Debby and/or Helene, you will need to complete another form for Hurricane Milton.
- Go to DisasterAssistance.gov
- Via the FEMA app
- Call (800) 621-3362
Please note the following application deadlines:
- Hurricane Milton: 12/11/24 (Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties)
- Hurricane Helene: 11/27/24 (Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties)
- Hurricane Debby: Extended to 11/12/24 (Sarasota County)
FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)
A DRC is a one-stop location designed to help answer residents’ questions about disaster recovery and give referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance and status of application(s) being processed by FEMA or other agencies. DRCs are available in both Sarasota and Manatee counties at the following locations:
- GT Bray Park Gymnasium, 5502 33rd Ave. Drive West, Bradenton, 34209. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
- Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 34236. Hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.
All Faiths Food Bank Food Distributions
All Faiths Food Bank is offering food pickup locations are at multiple public Sarasota County locations throughout October. For the most up-to-date information, visit to allfaithsfoodbank.org.
Crisis Cleanup
If you need help cleaning up damage from Hurricane Milton, call Crisis Cleanup’s hotline at (844) 965-1386 to ask for help. The service will connect you with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities who may be able to assist with muck-outs, trees, tarps and more.
Reunification Portal
The American Red Cross has launched an online Reunification Portal for individuals looking for loved ones. If you need assistance locating or connecting with a loved one because of Hurricane Milton, the Red Cross may be able to help. Click here to learn more.
Operation Blue Roof
Operation Blue Roof is available to impacted residents in Sarasota County. This program is a free service for homeowners and permanently occupied rental properties, providing fiber-reinforced, industrial-strength sheeting to protect storm-damaged roofs until homeowners can make permanent repairs. Residents impacted by Hurricane Milton can sign up for this no-cost service by visiting blueroof.gov, calling (888) 766-3258, or visiting a Right of Entry (ROE) collection center throughout the affected areas.
ROE collection center locations are listed on blueroof.gov, where residents can sign up for Blue Roof assistance using an ROE form, which gathers information about the residence.
HOPE Florida
The Hope Line can be reached at 1-833-GET-HOPE. Talk with live navigators who can connect callers to local resources, including temporary trailer housing so residents can live on-site while their home is repaired.
Humane Society of Sarasota County Pet Pantry
If you are in need of assistance feeding your pet(s), the Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) Pet Pantry is available to provide free pet food and supplies. Distribution takes place during open hours, Tuesday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday from noon to 7 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you’d like to donate, donations can also be dropped off at HSSC’s facility during open hours, or donors can shop the HSSC’s wish list at hssc.org/give/donate.
Manatee County Animal Welfare
Currently, the Palmetto Animal Shelter and Cat Town are not open to the public. However, the Bishop Animal Shelter, located at 5718 21st Ave. W. in Bradenton, is open for adoptions and reclaims. If you lost your furry friend due to Hurricane Milton or would like to welcome home a new family member, please visit mymanatee.org/pets for more information.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Disaster Distress Helpline
This phone resource provides 24/7 crisis counseling and support to survivors experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. Call 800-985-5990, visit samhsa.gov/ or text TalkWithUs for English or Hablanos for Spanish to 66746.
Mental Health Warmline
Available at (800) 945-1355 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Crisis Text Line
Provides free, 24/7, text-based mental health support and crisis intervention. Visit crisistextline.org/ or text HOME to 741741.
American Red Cross Virtual Family Assistance Center
Call (833) 492-0094.
Florida Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline
Call 800-962-2873.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Provides 24/7, free and confidential support to individuals experiencing mental-health related distress. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
Business Recovery Resources
The Florida SBDC at USF is on-site at the Sarasota Mobile Assistance Center at the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce (1945 Fruitville Road, Sarasota) through Oct. 19 to assist businesses affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Professionally certified consultants are available to guide you through these critical recovery programs:
- SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
- SBA Physical Disaster Loan
- Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
SBA Business Recovery Center
The Small Business Administration has a fixed Business Recovery Center (BRC) located at the Rocky Bluff Branch Library (6750 U.S. 301, Ellenton, 34222) that is open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. A list of SBA Business Recovery and Disaster Recovery Centers (BRC/DRC) can be found at sba.gov.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Go to Disaster Unemployment Assistance – FloridaJobs.org to find information related to disaster unemployment assistance. The deadlines differ by storm and by county.
Safety Net Policy Tracker from Florida Policy Institute for Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton
Hurricane Helene Response: Safety Net Policy Tracker (floridapolicy.org)
Hurricane Milton Response: Safety Net Policy Tracker (floridapolicy.org)
Photo: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assists a family of survivors in their first Blue Roof Project in Sarasota, Florida, in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. (Photo by Carlos M. Vazquez II)