Today, President Joseph R. Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell met with federal, state and local officials as well as survivors to receive a briefing on the recovery efforts and tour the damage in areas of Florida impacted by two hurricanes less than a week apart.
Throughout the Southeast, over 9,600 total federal personnel are deployed, including 4,100 FEMA personnel on the ground in Florida, working closely with state officials to ensure survivors receive the support they need.
On Friday, Oct. 11, the President approved a major disaster declaration for 34 counties in Florida following Hurricane Milton. President Biden previously approved federal disaster assistance in six states affected by Helene. This opens up federal help for survivors in designated areas in Florida, GeorgiaNorth Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. FEMA reported a record-breaking day on Oct. 12 with more than 250,000 applications received for disaster assistance.
Those affected by Hurricane Milton can now start to register for disaster assistance. In addition, Hurricane Helene survivors—who to date have been approved for over $474 million in federal disaster assistance—can also continue to apply for assistance.
FEMA encourages individuals to apply online as this remains the best way to apply for disaster assistance. The three ways to apply include visiting disasterassistance.gov, calling 800-621-3362 or using the FEMA App. Survivors may receive funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies. Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay.
These photos highlight response and recovery efforts across states impacted by Helene and Milton.
St. Petersburgh, Fla - President Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell met with community members, local, state, federal officials and disaster survivors to talk about the ongoing Hurricane Milton recovery efforts.
LAKEPORT, Florida - Florida Army National Guard members assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment load food, water and tarps into a vehicle at a point-of-distribution site. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army Guard)
STARKE, Florida - Airmen from the Minnesota Air National Guard 148th Fighter Wing, arrive at the National Guard Camp Blanding Joint Training Center to restock supplies for their continued missions in support for Hurricane Milton relief. (Photo credit: U.S. Army Guard)
Tampa, FL - After Hurricane Milton, U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell visited Urban Search and Rescue and emergency workers primarily focused on water-based rescues.
Greenville, SC (Oct. 11, 2024) - FEMA continues to open Disaster Recovery Centers in the states impacted by Hurricane Helene. View this online resource for an update on locations for the Disaster Recovery Centers.
Fort Pierce, Fla. (Oct. 12, 2024) - Volunteers with a faith-based organization support survivors of Hurricane Milton.
Tampa, FL - As part of the federal response, Health and Human Services (HHS) ASPR reassigned a NDMS Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) from Alabama to Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. This team is supporting St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa. The 37-person DMAT team consisting of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, psychiatrists, paramedics, logistics, and security personnel are augmenting the hospital staff and providing medical care to the community.
Elizabethton, Tenn. (Oct. 11, 2024) - Salvation Army has
joined the River's Edge Fellowship to provide meals for the
evening to local survivors affected by Hurricane Helene.
Jonesborough, Tenn. (Oct. 11, 2024) - FEMA and Red Cross representatives speak with a survivor at the state-initiated Multi-Agency Resource Center which includes the Small Business Administration and several local and state organizations to provide assistance to survivors of Hurricane Helene in Tennessee.
Smyth County, Va. (Oct. 10, 2024) - A FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Specialist leaves a flyer with information on applying for disaster assistance after Hurricane Helene at a home in Smyth County, Va., on Oct. 10.
FEMA’s Disaster Multimedia Toolkit page provides graphics, social media copy and sample text in multiple languages. In addition, FEMA has set up a rumor control web page to reduce confusion about its role in the Helene response. Visit Hurricane Rumor Response.
