Skip to content

Recovery Resources – Hurricane Helene

Back to Blog
Website Header - Hurricane Helene

October 1, 2024

Citrus County Chamber

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, we understand many of you may be facing challenges in the recovery process. The Citrus County Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to providing the support you need, and with the help of the county and our community partners we've compiled a detailed list of resources available for businesses and individuals. You may see some resources duplicated under both lists as they are applicable to both businesses and individuals.

Resources for Business

  1. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance
  • Website: U.S. Small Business Administration (sba.gov)
  • The SBA provides low-interest loans to help businesses recover from physical damage and economic injury.
  • Types of Loans Available:
    • Business Physical Disaster Loans: For businesses to repair or replace damaged real estate, inventory, supplies, machinery, and equipment. Eligible for businesses of any size and private non-profit organizations.
    • Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Provides working capital to help small businesses and non-profits meet ordinary financial obligations disrupted by the disaster. This loan aims to assist businesses through the recovery period.
  • Deadlines:
    • Physical Damage: November 27, 2024
    • Economic Injury: June 30, 2025
  1. Florida Commerce Resources
  • Website: Florida Disaster Assistance
  • A variety of programs are available to help businesses recover:
    • FL Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan: Short-term, interest-free working capital loans available to small businesses. This program is designed to help businesses “bridge the gap” until other financial assistance becomes available.
    • Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA): Provides financial assistance to employees and business owners who have lost work or income due to the hurricane. The deadline to apply is December 2, 2024.
    • Dislocated Worker Grant: Offers temporary employment opportunities for eligible businesses and workers impacted by Hurricane Helene.
    • Rapid Response Program: Provides reemployment services to help businesses and workers affected by the disaster.
    • Rebuild Florida: A program of the Florida Department of Commerce (FloridaCommerce) created to help Florida’s long-term recovery efforts from recent hurricanes. While Hurricane Helene is not yet listed on this site, please check back for long term recovery assistance
  1. FL Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC)
  • Website: Florida SBDC
  • The SBDC is making plans to have representatives onsite at the Chamber starting Friday, October 4th, to assist businesses in navigating through their resources.
  1. Business Damage Assessment – Immediate Action Required
  • FloridaCommerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) have activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey to understand the economic impact of Hurricane Helene on local businesses.
  • How to Complete the Survey: Visit FloridaDisaster.biz and select "Hurricane Helene."
  • For assistance, call the Private Sector Hotline at 850-815-4925 (8 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily) or email ESF18@em.myflorida.com.
  1. Careersource Citrus Levy Marion
  • Representatives will be available at the Chamber Office in Crystal River beginning Monday, October 7th, to help displaced employees access resources, including reemployment assistance, job placement, and training programs.
  1. Florida Disaster Contractors Network
  • Website: DCNOnline.org
  • Register as a licensed contractor and/or supplier who can assist with emergency repairs and rebuilding efforts. Over 5,200 contractors are registered with Florida’s DCN to provide storm-related construction services.
  1. Environmental Concerns: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection provides FAQs and guidelines on common environmental issues encountered post-hurricane:
  1. IRS Disaster Assistance: Offers tax relief, deadline extensions, and other assistance for individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. Visit the IRS website for more information.
  2. FL Division of Emergency Management: Visit Florida Disaster for comprehensive updates, FAQs, and assistance with various recovery programs.
  3. To volunteer or request volunteer assistance contact Laurie Deitsler with the Nature Coast Volunteer Center at 352-527-5952 or by email at Laurie.deitsler@citrusbocc.com

Resources for Individuals

  1. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  • Website: DisasterAssistance.gov
  • Individuals may receive financial assistance for temporary housing, home repairs, and other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance.
  • How to Apply:
  1. Small Business Administration (SBA) Home Disaster Loans
  1. Disaster Legal Hotline
  • Phone: 833-514-2940
  • Provides free legal assistance for disaster-related issues, including insurance claims, home repair contracts, and consumer protection matters.
  1. Red Cross Assistance and Shelters
  • Hotline: 1-800-Red-Cros (733-2767)
  • A recovery shelter is open at the Citrus Springs Community Center, where residents can access temporary housing and support services. (1570 W Citrus Springs Blvd, Citrus Springs, FL 34434)
  • Transportation Assistance: Citrus County Transit is available to assist. Call (352) 527-7630 for transport to the shelter.
  1. Crisis Cleanup and Volunteer Services
  • Hotline: 844-965-1386
  • Crisis Cleanup connects homeowners with volunteer groups who can assist with debris removal, mucking out, tarping roofs, and other essential recovery tasks.
  1. Sweet Citrus Acres Laundry Services
  • Impacted residents can access free laundry services at 3995 N Turkey Oak Dr, Crystal River, FL 34428.
  1. Daystar Citrus
  • Providing breakfast, lunch, dinner, showers, essential supplies, and case management assistance to impacted residents at 6751 W Gulf to Lake Hwy, Crystal River, FL 34429.
  1. Florida Baptists Disaster Relief Public Assistance
  • Call 904-253-0502 or text “Helene” to 27123 for free help with storm debris cleanup, temporary roof tarping, chainsaw work, and muck-outs.
  1. Careersource Citrus Levy Marion
  • Representatives will be available at the Chamber Office in Crystal River beginning Monday, October 7th, to help displaced employees access resources, including reemployment assistance, job placement, and training programs.
  1. Florida Disaster Contractors Network
  • Website: DCNOnline.org
  • Connect with licensed contractors and suppliers who can assist with emergency repairs and rebuilding efforts. Over 5,200 contractors are registered with Florida’s DCN to provide storm-related construction services.
  1. Environmental Concerns: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection provides FAQs and guidelines on common environmental issues encountered post-hurricane:
  1. IRS Disaster Assistance: Offers tax relief, deadline extensions, and other assistance for individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. Visit the IRS website for more information.
  2. FL Division of Emergency Management: Visit Florida Disaster for comprehensive updates, FAQs, and assistance with various recovery programs.
  3. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA): Provides financial assistance to employees and business owners who have lost work or income due to the hurricane. The deadline to apply is December 2, 2024.
  4. Dislocated Worker Grant: Offers temporary employment opportunities for eligible businesses and workers impacted by Hurricane Helene.
  5. Rapid Response Program: Provides reemployment services to help businesses and workers affected by the disaster.
  6. Samaritan's Purse hotline: 1-833-747-1234
  • Free Assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster.
  • Volunteers may be able to assist with removal of personal property and furniture, flood cleanup, sanitizing with shockwave treatment, chainsaw work & Debris Clean-up, temporary roof tarping.
  1. 2-1-1 is openand ready to receive calls
  • Individuals can call for up-to-the-minute information including school closures and sandbag distributions.
  • Local Social Services Referral.
  1. Comcast has opened more than 52,000 public Xfinity WiFi hotspots in Florida. The free and public hotspots are open for all, including non-Xfinity customers. For more information, click here.
  2. The State of Florida announced that they are mobilizing hundreds of travel trailers for residents who had their homes damaged by the storm, so they can live comfortably on-site while renovations and repairs are underway.
  • To apply for a travel trailer through the Florida Division of Emergency Management, call the HOPE LINE at 1-833-GET-HOPE (432-4673).
  1. To volunteer or request volunteer assistance contact Laurie Deitsler with the Nature Coast Volunteer Center at 352-527-5952 or by email at Laurie.deitsler@citrusbocc.com
Scroll To Top