If you have been affected by Hurricane Ian, these groups are offering help and assistance to Florida residents.
Resources for Residents of Florida Affected by Hurricane Ian
Disaster Distress Helpline: This 24/7, 365-day-a-year hotline offers counseling and support for people dealing with emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. The hotline is multilingual and confidential. 1-800-985-5990
FEMA: FEMA is offering individual assistance in the following Central Florida counties as of now: Flagler, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia. To apply for assistance, go to disasterassistance.gov, or call 800-621-FEMA (3362).
American Red Cross: If you need a place to stay, contact the American Red Cross at 800-RED-CROSS (733-2767), or find an open shelter online.
Heart of Florida United Way: Heart of Florida United Way is available to connect people to resources, including supplies, food, clothing and hygiene locations, etc. To connect to United Way’s call centers, dial 211.
Shelters: Florida residents who did not evacuate but now need to leave their home can visit floridadisaster.org/shelter-status for open general and special needs shelters in Florida. If you do leave your home, do not leave pets or animals behind. You can also register other members of your household and your pets on Shelter in Place Survey (arcgis.com) to help local first responders locate you.
Visit Florida: has partnered with Expedia to set up an emergency accommodations page. Expedia Emergency Accommodations Module for real-time hotel and lodging availability throughout the state.
The Florida Department of Education: Up to date information regarding closures and announcements.
Second Harvest Food Bank: Second Harvest Food Bank supplies food to food banks across the area. It has a list of community resources on its website, as well as a food locator tool.
The Sharing Center: Provides a food pantry, showers and laundry. 600 N. 17-92, Longwood. Call 407-260-9155.
UHaul: UHaul is offering 30 days of free storage and U-Box container usage at 43 locations across Florida.
Government Phone Numbers
Florida Department of Emergency Management: 1-850-815-4000
Flagler County: 800-451-1954
Orange County: 311
Volusia County: 866-345-0345
Orlando: 407-246-4357
Lakeland: 863-401-2234
Phone & Internet Services
AT&T: AT&T customers will waive talk, text and data overage charges for customers in impacted areas through Oct. 28.
COMCAST: Comcast is making its network of public Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the state free for anyone to use, including non-Xfinity customers. Click here for details on how to find and use a WiFi hotspot.
SPECTRUM: Spectrum is opening Out-of-Home WiFi access points. Indoor and outdoor WiFi spots can be found at locations across Central Florida. Head to the Spectrum website to find one near you.
T-MOBILE: T-Mobile customers affected by the storm who do not have unlimited talk, text and data will have it through Oct. 3.
VERIZON: Verizon customers living in affected zip codes will have unlimited domestic talk, text and data through Oct. 4. Verizon is also working to set up Wi-Fi hotspots, free charging stations and other services.
Small Business Administration
SBA disaster loans are now available to businesses and residents in Florida following the Hurricane Ian disaster declaration. Applicants may apply at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov under declaration #17644. For help, call 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
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