Residents in designated counties who lost access to water because a private well or septic system was damaged as a result of Hurricane Ian or Hurricane Nicole may be eligible for FEMA assistance.
Affected counties
Hurricane Ian: Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, St. Johns, Sarasota, Seminole, and Volusia
Hurricane Nicole: Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia
What assistance is available?
For private wells and septic systems, FEMA may reimburse you for the cost of a professional, licensed technician to visit your home and prepare an estimate detailing the necessary repairs or replacement of your disaster-damaged systems.
In addition to the technician’s estimate, FEMA may also pay for the actual repair or replacement cost of your septic system or private well, which are not insurable items.
If you have applied for FEMA assistance and have not had a home inspection, you should call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. At the time of your inspection, let the FEMA inspector know you have a private well and/or septic system that may have been damaged by the storm.
If the damage is determined to be caused by Hurricane Ian or Hurricane Nicole, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance.
If you have already had an inspection and damage to the well or septic system wasn’t reported, contact the FEMA Helpline to learn about the appeals process, and how to appeal for disaster assistance. Please keep your contractor’s statement, estimates, or receipts for the disaster caused damage to those items, and submit them with your written appeal letter to FEMA. You may refer to the FEMA decision letter you received also, for more information.
The application period for Hurricane Ian is now closed, however, the application period for Hurricane Nicole remains open until February 13, 2023, and survivors can apply for FEMA assistance online at disasterassistance.gov, by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.