TAMPA, Fla. — Hurricane Ian is one of the strongest hurricanes to ever hit Florida and the United States. Despite being downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved across the state, Ian left behind a trail of destruction.
Several agencies are offering assistance to residents and businesses who have been affected by the storm.
See a list of available resources below:
FEMA Assistance
Thursday, President Biden approved a federal disaster declaration for counties in Florida. This allows for residents in those counties to seek FEMA assistance.
The counties include Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance here. They can also call 800-621-FEMA (3362), or use the FEMA App.
As for power outages, FEMA recommends the following:
State Assistance Information Line
The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) is a toll-free hotline activated at the time of an emergency to provide an additional resource for those in Florida to receive accurate and up-to-date information regarding an emergency or disaster situation impacting the State of Florida.
The SAIL hotline is: 1-800-342-3557.
Florida state business resources
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has activated a survey for businesses to report damage and needs. The Business Damage Assessment Survey is now activated for Florida businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian. See the link below:
Report storm damage on a local level, local resources
Largo
Power outages to Duke Energy at (800) 228-8485
Trees and power lines down, flooding, and other damage to public facilities to the Largo’s Citizen Information Center at (727) 587-6789.
If your home experiences damage or flooding, after the storm, take photos of your property for insurance.
Largo City Hall will be open to the public on Friday. But, recreation facilities will be closed for storm cleanup. Regular hours resume on Saturday.
The public library drive-thru service is reopening.
Hillsborough
Contact the sheriff's office at (813) 224-9911 if you see a damaged or down power line.
Pinellas
Report online with SeeClickFix or call Pinellas County Public Works at 727-464-8900.
Citrus
Report any flooding, fallen trees, down power lines/poles, and road blockages to our office through Citrus County's Citizens Information Lines at (352) 249-2775.
Hardee
Hilltop Elementary School is open as a shelter.
Manatee
Follow the sheriff's department's Facebook page for notice on the boil water notice in place.
Hernando
Contact Emergency Management at (352) 754-4083
Highlands
Use the following phone numbers to reach the Citizens Information lines: 863-382-7218 | 863-382-7268 | 863-382-7245 | 863-382-7217
Pasco
Call the non-emergency number for the sheriff's department at 727-847-8102 option 7 if you need assistance
Polk
Citizen information line: 863-401-2234
Report downed wires: 863-834-9535
Sarasota
Call 800-4-OUTAGE (468-8243).
Sarasota County's Contact Center: Call 311 or 941-861-5000