Hurricane Milton - Steps to Recovery

Published on October 14, 2024

Here are the steps to recovery for homeowners and renters in St. Lucie County 

Step 1: File a claim with your insurance

Step 2: Apply with FEMA’s Individual Assistance. Whether you are insured or underinsured. Individual Assistance is available to individuals and households needing financial and direct services. There are four ways to apply:

1. Online: https://disasterassistance.gov
2. Call :1-800-621-3362 from 7 am to 11 pm Eastern Time
3. In-Person: St. Lucie County has established a Multi-Resource Agency Center located at the Havert L. Fenn Center in Fort Pierce, 2000 Virginia Ave to assist St. Lucie County residents who experienced losses from Hurricane Milton. (Please bring proof of address)
   1. Hours of Operation:  Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
   2. Organizations on site include Hope Navigators registering unmet needs, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Children & Families and Department of Business and Professional Regulation and State Emergency Response Team. 
   3. The State Emergency Response Team will also have a limited number of tarps to hand out to residents. 
4. Download the FEMA Mobile App

Step 3: Contact the Red Cross

• Online: www.RedCross.org
•  Call: 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767)

Step 4: Contact Activate Hope Disaster

• Activate Hope helps connect Floridians with outside resources to provide food, household goods, home repairs, and more.  Fill out the form to request help today!
• Online: https://hopeflorida.com/get-help/hurricanerecovery.html

Business in St. Lucie County

U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance Loans

• Online: www.SBA.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
• Call: 1-800-659-2955

FloridaCommerce

• Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

Have questions?

Contact State Assistance Information Line – 1-800-342-3557. This call center runs 24/7 and can answer any Hurricane Milton or Hurricane Helene related questions in English, Spanish, and Creole.