Living in Sarasota, we’re no strangers to hurricanes and their aftermath. The days following a storm can be overwhelming as families work to restore a sense of normalcy. If you’re navigating post-hurricane recovery, it’s important to know where to turn for help. To make things easier for you, The Consumer Help group has compiled a list of local resources to address essential needs like housing, food, debris removal, and mental health support.
1. Emergency Shelter and Housing Help
If your house is damaged or unsafe to live in, Sarasota has shelters and temporary housing. During and after hurricanes, the Sarasota County Emergency Management team runs shelters. To know where shelters are located, visit the Sarasota County Government website.
For more extended periods of housing assistance, you can seek help from organizations like FEMA. You may apply for disaster assistance through their online service located at disasterassistance.gov or call the helpline at 1-800-621-3362.
2. Food and Water Distribution
Food and clean water are always a top priority after the first hit of a hurricane. One trusted source for families to look for such essentials is the All Faiths Food Bank. They regularly distribute emergency supplies all over Sarasota. Find their distribution schedule on their website: allfaithsfoodbank.org.
The Red Cross Sarasota Chapter also offers hot meals and relief kits. To see more, check out their official page at redcross.org/local.
3. Debris Removal
Debris from hurricanes can be hazardous. Sarasota County permits curbside removal of storm debris for county residents. Find pickup schedules and guidelines here .https://www.scgov.net/
For bigger cleanup jobs, there are companies like Waste Management Sarasota that can perform it. Or consider volunteer organizations like Team Rubicon, which often assist with disaster cleanup efforts. Here’s how to ask them to come help at teamrubiconusa.org.
4. Utilities and Power Restoration
Call your utility provider if your power is out or the water supply has been interrupted. For power outages, Florida Power & Light (FPL) provides a restoration map and updates. Visit fpl.com/storm or call 1-800-468-8243 to report outages.
For water service issues, Sarasota County Utilities posts updates on their emergency alert page.
5. Medical and Mental Health Support
The recovery phase after a hurricane is stressful to your body and psyche. Local medical centers, such as Sarasota Memorial Hospital, do not close their doors so that immediate medical attention may be rendered right away. Contact information is available on smh.com
To access mental health services, log on to centerstone.org or call the 24/7 crisis hotline at 1-877-467-3123 to be connected with an experienced counselor to assist you in dealing with stress, anxiety, or some form of trauma brought by a hurricane.
6. Financial Assistance and Filing of Insurance Claims
Insurance claims can be a nightmare. Florida Department of Financial Services provides information about your rights and helps you speed up your claims. Locate the resource on myfloridacfo.com or call their hotline at 1-877-693-5236.
If you are financially strained, local nonprofit Catholic Charities Sarasota also provides emergency financial aid. You can find the details at catholiccharitiesdov.org.
7. Community Resources and Volunteer Work
If you’re looking to connect with others for support, many community groups come together after hurricanes. The Salvation Army Sarasota is a hub for assistance and volunteering opportunities. Reach out to them at salvationarmyflorida.org/sarasota.
Additionally, neighborhood Facebook groups or apps like Nextdoor can be invaluable for finding local help and resources.
Conclusion
It never gets easy recovering from a hurricane. However, the strong sense of community and numerous local resources and legal help like the Consumer Help group makes it all worthwhile. People stand to help you at every step-in immediate assistance or in the long run of recovery. Bookmark these resources and share them with your neighbors-that’s how we will rebuild stronger together.
