The deadline for Floridians affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton to seek for aid has been extended by FEMA.
FEMA financial assistance for personal property losses, basic house repairs, displacement, and other uninsured or underinsured disaster-related costs must be received by January 7.
You have three options to apply: call 800-621-3362, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, or utilize the FEMA App.
In order to avoid a lapse in NFIP flood coverage, FEMA has additionally extended the policy renewal date for specific NFIP customers. Instead of the usual 30-day grace period for policy renewals, policyholders now have until December 10 to do so.
Both Helene and Milton will receive $521.5 million and $453.8 million, respectively, of the $975.3 million that FEMA has approved.
On September 26, Helene, a Category 4 storm, made landfall close to the Big Bend region. While the storm had a significant impact on Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina were most severely affected.
“Preliminary data indicate that Helene was the deadliest hurricane to affect the continental U.S. since Katrina in 2005, with more than 150 direct fatalities, the majority of which occurred in North Carolina and South Carolina,” according to the NOAA.
On October 9, barely two weeks later, Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 hurricane, made landfall close to Siesta Key.
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According to NOAA’s report, “Milton’s rate of rapid intensification was among the highest ever observed, with a 90-mile-per-hour increase in wind speed during the 24-hour period from early October 6 to early October 7.”
According to NOAA, the Atlantic hurricane season of 2024 “showcased above-average activity, with a record-breaking ramp-up following a peak-season lull.”
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