Federal Support

If you sustained damage or loss from Hurricane Milton, FEMA may be able to help. You may be eligible for financial assistance for displacement, serious needs, temporary lodging, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured disaster-related expenses.

• Quickest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Or use the FEMA App for mobile devices.
• You can also call the FEMA helpline toll-free at 800-621-3362.

A FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) Team will be in the area over the next few days going door-to-door to help disaster survivors who experienced home or personal property damage during Hurricane Milton apply for FEMA disaster assistance.  Please ask these FEMA representatives to show you their FEMA identification badge.  If you prefer, you can always call 800-621-3362 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov to apply.  If you apply on your own and a DSA representative visits you at your home, you can ask the representative to check the status of your application.     

 CLICK HERE to see FEMA's Frequently Asked Questions

CLICK HERE TO FIND YOUR ZONE/SCHEDULE 

Businesses with the proper staff and equipment looking to assist with debris removal should email the Solid Waste staff at solidwaste@stlucieco.org.

Residents and businesses within the city limits of Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie will need to contact their municipality for their debris removal schedule.

Residents and businesses are reminded that it is important to separate their storm debris into five categories:

1. Normal household trash: Your regular household waste and recyclables will not be collected with storm debris. Stick to your normal garbage removal schedule.

2. Vegetative debris: This includes vegetation such as leaves, logs, plants, and tree branches. Do NOT put yard waste in PLASTIC bags. Paper bags are OK.

3. Construction and demolition debris: This category includes cabinets, counters, doors, drywall, lumber, roofing and shingles, tile windows, wood siding, and vanities.

4. Bulky Waste: Items such as carpet, furniture, mattresses, plastic/PVC pipe, privacy fencing, vinyl siding, and pressure-treated wood.

5. Appliances and white goods: This category includes air conditioners, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators (remember to put food waste with household trash), stoves, washers and dryers, and water heaters.

Residents are responsible for moving debris and separating it at the edge of your property near the road. Do not block the roadway or stormwater drains. Also, do not place debris under power lines and trees, or near poles, mailboxes, fire hydrants, utility boxes or other structures that can delay removal. Do not place debris on driveways or sidewalks. Remember, please do not mix household hazardous waste or electronics with other debris.

Understanding Your FEMA Eligibility Letter

If you applied for FEMA assistance after Hurricanes Milton, Helene or Debby you will receive a determination letter from FEMA in the mail or by email. These letters can also be found in a survivor’s online FEMA account by logging into DisasterAssistance.gov and selecting the Check Status tab.
The letter will explain your application status and how to respond. It is important to read the letter carefully because it will include the amount of any assistance FEMA may provide and information on the appropriate use of disaster assistance funds.

You may need to submit additional information or supporting documentation for FEMA to continue to process an application for financial assistance. Examples of missing documentation may include:

• Insurance settlement, denial letter or declaration page.
• Proof of identity (i.e. passport, military ID, Social Security card with federal/state ID)
• Proof of occupancy (i.e. lease, rent receipts, utility bills)
• Proof of ownership (i.e. Mortgage documentation, Property Tax, Title, Insurance

If you have questions about your letter, or disagree with the initial decision, visit a Disaster Recovery Center or call the disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362 to find out what information FEMA needs.

How to Appeal

If you receive a letter from FEMA and you disagree with FEMA’s decision about your eligibility, you can appeal the decision. FEMA might need more information to continue processing your application.
Once FEMA has reviewed your application, the results of the inspection and documentation you provided, you will receive a letter explaining:

• Whether you are approved for assistance.
• How much assistance you will receive.
• How the assistance must be used.
• How to appeal FEMA’s decision.

If you are initially not approved for assistance, you may appeal within 60 days of the date of the decision letter. If you have questions regarding the letter or how to appeal, you may visit a Disaster Recovery Center or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you choose to call the helpline, please understand wait times may be longer because of increased volume for multiple recent disasters. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages.

What to Include When You Appeal
The letter from FEMA will provide additional information on the types of documents or information that you may need to provide. FEMA will also include an optional appeal form that may be used to help provide additional information.

When submitting any documentation or information to FEMA, you must include your FEMA application number and disaster number (DR-4806-FL for Hurricane Debby, DR-4828-FL for Hurricane Helene and DR-4834-FL for Hurricane Milton) on every page. 

For appeals by a third party, the applicant or co-applicant must also have a valid Written Consent on file for the third party with authorization to appeal or represent the applicant at the time of inspection.

How to Submit Your Appeal
You can submit your appeal and supporting documentation:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Log into your account and upload supporting documents via the Correspondence Upload Center.
• In-person at a Disaster Recovery Center.
• By mail: FEMA Individuals & Households Program, National Processing Center P.O. Box 10055 Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
• By fax: (800) 827-8112, Attention: FEMA – Individuals & Households Program

Please report damage by clicking the link below: 

Public Damage Report (arcgis.com)

• On Saturday, Oct. 5, Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued Executive Order 24-214, declaring a state of emergency for 35 counties including St. Lucie County. Extended Order. 
• On Monday, Oct. 7, St. Lucie County issued Resolution No. 00-277 declaring a local state of emergency.
• On Monday, Oct. 14, St. Lucie County issued an Executive Order requiring removal of debris from private rights-of-way.
• On Monday, Oct. 14, St. Lucie County issued an Executive Order extending the declaration of the state of emergency.
• On Monday, Oct. 21, St. Lucie County issued an Executive Order extending the declaration of the state of emergency.
• On Wednesday, Oct. 23,  St. Lucie County issued an Executive Order allowing for the removal of construction and debris from properties inside Spanish Lakes.
• On Monday, Oct. 28, St. Lucie County issued an Executive Order extending the declaration of the state of emergency.
• On Monday, Nov. 4, St. Lucie County issued an Executive Order extending the declaration of the state of emergency.
• On Monday, Nov. 11, St. Lucie County issued an Executive Order extending the declaration of the state of emergency.
• On Monday, Nov. 18, St. Lucie County issued an Executive Order extending the declaration of the state of emergency.

All shelters have been evacuated and closed as of 5:30 p.m. Oct. 11.

ALERT ST. LUCIE

Register for emergency alerts

CREATE A PLAN

Check your list, obtain your supplies, be prepared

SHELTERS

Find the nearest Emergency and Special Needs Shelters

EVACUATION ZONES

Is your address in an evacuation zone?

EVACUATION ORDER

Find out if an evacuation order has been declared for your area.

SECURE REGISTRY

Register family members with special needs to help law enforcement find them if they are missing.

ALL HAZARDS

Monitor www.stlucieco.gov/eoc, radio, and television for important information. The media will work closely with emergency officials to ensure the most up-to-date information is available. Remain calm. If evacuated, do not return to your home or business until instructed to do so.

GENERAL INFORMATION

As always, follow local guidance from public safety officials. Stay tuned on all media channels for current updates.

Do not return to your home until local officials have announced roads are safe to travel.

When returning, avoid loose or dangling power lines and immediately report them to 911. 

Once you have returned, carefully check for structural damage prior to entering any building.

If you have sustained damage that makes staying in your home unsafe, find alternate shelter and have a professional assess and repair the damage.

Be sure to report your damage.

National Hurricane Center

Ready.gov Hurricane page

Florida Division of Emergency Management

American Red Cross

Department of Business and Professional Regulation

FEMA Flood Map Center

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program

National Council on Aging (Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults)