This information page will be continue to be updated as new information becomes available. For all storm-related information, please visit the Hurricane Helene Information Page and Hurricane Milton Information Page.
UPDATED JUNE 4, 2025
ELEVATE FLORIDA - STATEWIDE RESIDENTIAL MITIGATION PROGRAM - UPDATED JUNE 4, 2025
Elevate Florida is a first-of-its-kind, groundbreaking statewide residential mitigation program. Led by the FDEM, this program is designed to protect homes and communities by reducing damage caused by natural disasters like hurricanes and floods.
APPLICATION PERIOD HAS CLOSED - For those residents who have applied for Elevate Florida funding, please find updates on Elevate Florida.
Be cautious of unexpected phone calls, visits, or agreements from individuals, inspectors or contractors claiming to represent Elevate Florida. Before any home inspection for Elevate Florida, your assigned case manager will inform you of an inspection date and time in advance of any visit to your property. Be advised not to give any money to any individuals claiming to be affiliated with the Elevate Florida programs. All official transactions will be conducted through their secure, authorized channels.
Residents can check their project status by logging into the Elevate Florida Portal and navigating to the 'Status' tab.
If you need any technical assistance, call 1-877-ELEV8FL (877-353-8835).
For more information including a Homeowner Guide and frequently asked questions, please visit the Elevate Florida Portal.
SBA DISASTER RECOVERY - FILING DEADLINES ARE APPROACHING!!
The SBA continues offering disaster-related low-interest loans for residents and businesses. SBA has reopened and extended the physical damage loan applications and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program (EIDL) is still available to small businesses and private nonprofit organizations.
- Economic Injury Application Deadline is JUNE 30, 2025 (Helene) and JULY 11, 2025 (Milton)
Several information flyers and resources are available for download from the 'Documents' folder. Visit their website at https://www.sba.gov/ for more information.
PINELLAS COUNTY - 2024 HURRICANE RECOVERY FUND: $813 MILLION
Federal funds will support housing, local businesses and infrastructure in areas hardest hit by 2023 and 2024 hurricanes
$813,783,000
Awarded to Pinellas County by U.S. Department of HUD
After hosting several meetings with hundreds of residents, businesses and municipalities and collecting more than 3,000 survey responses, Pinellas County has submitted a final Draft Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for review. Once the plan is approved, the County will begin rolling out recovery programs in the fall of 2025. (download the draft action plan presentation)
To stay up to date on program deadlines and requirements text RECOVER to 888777 or sign up for email updates on the Recover Pinellas website.
The public meetings are part of an unmet needs assessment underway by the County which includes reviewing local, state and federal data and consulting with cities, community partners and residents. Download the informational flyer here.
Visit Recover Pinellas for the more information.
NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY INTEREST FORM
We know that many of our residents were affected by the past several storms. At this time, we are currently waiting for funding to become available, which could take quite some time, possible 1.5 - 2 years. Although we do not have those dates, we continue attending meetings with the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) and FEMA to learn more about funding opportunities. In the interim, we will keep your name as an interested party.
Please complete the Notice of Voluntary Interest Form and email it back to either pharbert@ctsfl.us or maraya@tsfr.us. We will notify you once funding becomes available.
HOMEOWNERS / RENTERS RECOVERY ASSISTANCE
Homeowner Recovery Assistance Available
FEMA Assistance: FEMA is offering a wide variety of help to people affected by the recent hurricanes. Every homeowner and renter who suffered damage is encouraged to apply. All individuals who are impacted by a storm should apply for FEMA assistance. Please call 1-800-621-3362, or visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov to apply. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance click here.
**If you applied to FEMA after Hurricane Debby and have additional damage from Hurricane Helene, you will need to apply separately for Helene and provide the dates of your most recent damage.
Pinellas County Hurricane Repair Program
The Hurricane Home Repair Program helps homeowners impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton pay for storm repairs not covered by insurance or FEMA. Eligible residents may receive up to $30,000 in grant funding for eligible repairs. Funding is provided by the Florida State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) and Pinellas County.
For more information, visit www.Pinellas.gov/StormRepair.
Renter Assistance Available
FEMA Assistance: FEMA Individual Assistance is available to renters, including students, as well as homeowners with uninsured losses. FEMA awards may help pay for temporary housing. Renters may also qualify for an award under FEMA's Other Needs Assistance program for uninsured or underinsured essential personal property losses and other disaster-related expenses. These may include:
- Replacement or repair of necessary personal property, such as furniture, appliances, clothing, textbooks, or school supplies.
- Repair or replacement of tools and other job-related equipment required by the self-employed.
- If your vehicle was damaged by the storms and is no longer operable (and the vehicle complies with state registration and insurance requirements) FEMA may be able to help.
- Uninsured or out-of-pocket funeral, medical, dental, childcare, assistance for miscellaneous items, moving and storage expenses.
Renters are encouraged to apply by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
SBA Assistance: Whether you rent or own your own home, business, or farm located in a declared disaster area, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the Small Business Administration. Please note that the filing deadline for SBA might be different than the FEMA deadline. Make sure you pay attention to the deadlines.
• Apply by phone to SBA: 1-800-659-2955
• Apply online anytime at https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/.
• E-mail: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
FEMA RENTAL ASSISTANCE
FEMA may provide financial assistance to rent alternate temporary housing if you are displaced from your primary residence due to Hurricanes Helene and/or Milton. FEMA Rental Assistance is intended to cover the monthly rent amount, which may include a security deposit, as a place other than your damaged home. Your rental can be near your job, home, school and place of worship. The assistance may include essential utilities such as gas, oil, trash, sewer, electricity, and water, but not cable or internet.
Download the Informational Flyer for more information.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE TAX RELIEF
The Florida Department of Revenue is is offering tax relief in the wake of Hurricane Helene. More information can be found by clicking here to download the document.
HOUSING OPTIONS FOR STORM DISPLACED RESIDENTS
If you have been displaced due to Hurricane Helene, a list of resources to help you search for short-and-long term housing options is available here: https://pinellas.gov/hurricanehousing
FEMA Displacement Assistance may also be available to displaced residents after receiving an inspection. The funds can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or for other options while you look for temporary housing. Click here for more information.
BUSINESS RECOVERY ASSISTANCE
Business Recovery Assistance Available
Businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene can now access disaster recovery assistance and emergency loan programs. (Download Informational Flyer Here)
- Complete the Florida Business Disaster Assessment Survey at https://floridadisaster.biz/Respond/BusinessDamageAssessmentsSurvey.
- Apply to the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan at https://floridacommerce.my.site.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund/s/. Loans provide short-term, zero-interest working capital loans to "bridge the gap" between the time the disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer term funding.
- Apply to SBA Disaster Assistance at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/hurricane-helene. Physical Disaster Loans for repair/replacement of business property, and Economic Injury Loans for working capital are available.
- Other Resources:
Businesses can meet with consultants from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Pinellas County by calling 727-453-7200 or emailing businesshelp@pinellas.gov.
SBA Information (Updated 4/16/2025)
1. Hurricane Helene Fact Sheet (Updated 02.26.2025) (183 KB) (pdf)
