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941.743.1200
18500 Murdock Circle
Port Charlotte, FL 33948

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Hurricane Milton | Storm & Recovery

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Storm & Recovery

Home Departments & Agencies Public Safety Department Emergency Management Storm & Recovery

The Charlotte County Emergency Management Office is working through response and recovery from storms, maintaining communication with local, state, and federal agencies. Follow social media for updates:

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Text the word CHARCOCARES to 888-777 to receive text updates on recovery resources.

Hurricane Milton

  • Call Center 941.833.4000: Open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
  • FEMA Disaster Recovery Center open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Sunday at South County Regional Park Recreation Center, 670 Cooper St., Punta Gorda
  • Renewal Period for Flood Insurance Policyholders extended to Nov. 26 for policy terms that ended Aug. 28.
  • Red Cross and FEMA DSA Teams Visiting Charlotte County and going door-to-door to help people apply for federal assistance, check the status of applications, identify potential needs, and make connections with organizations that can provide additional resources
  • South Gulf Cove Lock open with manned operation from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Comfort Stations with Mobile Medical Clinics, Restrooms, Showers Laundry (bring your own supplies):
    • Harold Avenue Regional Park Recreation Center, 23400 Harold Ave., Port Charlotte
    • South County Regional Park, 670 Cooper St., Punta Gorda
    • Fellowship Church of Englewood, 140 Rotonda Blvd. W., Rotonda West
  • Open shelter - Babcock Ranch School Field House, 43281 Cypress Parkway, Punta Gorda (Bring your supplies)
  • Info Hub locations with printed Resource Sheets:
    • South County Regional Park Recreation Center 670 Cooper St.
    • Port Charlotte Public Library 2280 Aaron St.
    • Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Park Recreation Center 6961 San Casa Drive., Englewood

Resource Sheet Storm Debris Removal Dashboard Debris Removal Progress Map

Closures

  • Some Community Services facilities, parks, and amenities remain closed
  • Chadwick Park, Englewood Beach, Port Charlotte Beach Park and all boat ramps remain closed until further notice
  • Tom Adams Bridge has reopened to Marine Traffic
  • ShorePoint Punta Gorda remains closed until further notice

Community Services Facilities Status

Road Closures

Kevitt Boulevard between N. Access Road and Grouse Avenue in Port Charlotte will be closed to public traffic beginning Oct. 15. The area will be used as a disaster debris management site.

Residents should obey all road closure signs and barricades. 

Many traffic signals may be out of power, treat the intersection as a four-way stop and come to a complete stop. Yield right of way: 
  • The first vehicle to stop has the right of way. 
  • If two vehicles stop at the same time, the one on the right has the right of way. 
  • If one vehicle is turning left and the other is going straight, the vehicle going straight has the right of way.
  • Proceed cautiously and be prepared for others who may not follow these rules.

FEMA

FEMA Individual & Business Assistance for Hurricane Helene & Milton - apply in several ways:
For FEMA Disaster Assistance - Please have the following available: 
  • Your address and zip code
  • Condition of your damaged home
  • Insurance information, if available
  • Social Security number
  • Phone number where you can be contacted
  • Address where you can get mail or email address to receive electronic notifications

FEMA Clean and Sanitize Assistance has been approved, limited to $300 per eligible household, awarded as a one-time payment following a FEMA home inspection and determination of eligibility. Residents whose homes are habitable but require cleanup actions such as muck out, mold remediation, and limb clearing are eligible to apply for CSA, which is intended to address potential health and safety concerns and ensure minimal damage to homes is addressed to prevent additional losses. This program is not available automatically and must be requested and approved separately while applying for FEMA assistance.

Multi-Agency Resource Center

Open inside the Port Charlotte Town Center Mall, 1441 Tamiami Trail, across the FYE store, to assist residents affected by Hurricane Milton providing local and state resources to support recovery efforts:
  • 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday
  • 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Sunday

Charlotte County Transit Services is offering free rides to and from the MARC. To schedule a ride, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941.575.4000 option 1. 

Storm Debris & Solid Waste

Debris Separation Guide Debris Separation Guide-Spanish
Storm Debris Removal Dashboard

Permits and Inspections

  • Building inspections will resume Oct. 16. All inspections scheduled before the hurricane have been canceled and will need to be rescheduled. Before rescheduling canceled inspections, please revisit the job site to ensure it is ready. Job sites that have sustained damage may need to be repaired before inspections are scheduled. 
  • Permitting Guidelines for Storm Damage Repairs
  • Unlicensed Contracting During an Emergency is a Felony
  • Work that can be Completed Without a Permit - To streamline the rebuilding process and prevent delays, follow these guidelines on work that does not require a permit: 
    • Removal of debris from on or inside a structure. 
    • Minor demolition to prevent injury or prevent further damage to buildings. This includes removal of drywall that has been affected by flood water. 
    • Structural shoring and bracing. 
    • Repair of minor water leaks that do not involve structural, mechanical, or electrical systems.  
    • Previously permitted fences destroyed by the storm may be re-installed, like for like, in the exact same location, except for fences used as a pool enclosure. Pool enclosure fence replacements must be reviewed for compliance with pool safety requirements. 
    • If you are unsure whether your project requires a permit, or if additional information is needed, visit Permits or contact Community Development at 941.743.1201 or BuildingConstruction@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.
  • Damage Assessment Placards: Community Development will be conducting damage assessments and placing placards to advise on property damage assessment results. These placards notify owners when a permit is needed for repairs or reconstruction, even if a contractor says otherwise. Placards may be in different colors, but they all convey the same message: a permit may or may not be required. If you're unsure, please contact Community Development at 941.743.1201 or BuildingConstruction@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.

Repairing Damage After Hurricanes: Understanding FEMA’s 50% Rule

Charlotte County Community Development urges homeowners to be aware of FEMA’s 50% Rule when assessing and planning repairs to their damaged properties. This rule helps homeowners decide how to move forward with repairs and stay within local and federal guidelines. 
 
Steps to follow: 

  1. Before starting any repairs, make sure you obtain a full estimate of how much it will cost to fix the damage to your home. 
  2. You need to know your home’s current market value (excluding land value). If you have had a private appraisal within the past 12 months, that assessment can be used. If not, contact the Charlotte County Property Appraiser at 941.743.1498 to find out the building’s value. 
  3. Once you have both your repair estimate and your home’s market value, determine whether the cost to repair is less than 50% of your home’s market value. 
    • If the cost is less than 50%, you can hire a contractor or pull permits to start repairs. 
    • If the cost is more than 50%, call Charlotte County Community Development to discuss your repair options. 
    • All permits that are related to a single event (hurricane, fire, flood) are counted together toward the 50% threshold, whether the permits are open or closed. Contact Community Development if this applies to you. 

For more information, call Community Development at 941.743.1201. Every homeowner’s situation is different, so it is important to get help that applies to your specific case. 

Damage Assistance

Safety tips

Muck and Gut Guide

Temporary Recreational Vehicles and Mobile Homes Allowed

Residents whose homes have been damaged and rendered uninhabitable from Hurricane Helene can temporarily live in RVs and mobile homes on their property until Sept. 23, 2027. Only occupants of the damaged home may do so.

RV/Camper Location Registration

To obtain a permit to set a temporary mobile home, visit the Community Development Department at 18400 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, to fill out necessary paperwork and provide plans. Questions about RV registration: 941.743.1201.

Donations & Volunteering

Charlotte County Volunteer Reception Center is open. To register and receive an assignment with a response agency in need of assistance, register at the VRC, located at the Family Services Center, 21500 Gibralter Drive, Port Charlotte. The VRC is open from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday (closed Sunday). To save a trip, call 941.370.2734 to register.

VolunteerFlorida: Residents, groups and organizations, contractors or professionals willing to volunteer can register online at VolunteerFlorida.org/volunteerconnect. Contractors or Professionals may also email coadVRC@gmail.com.

Financial donations can be made online at COADFL.org/donate.

Relief & Recovery Resources

Get Help

  • For life-threatening emergencies, call or text 9-1-1.
  • Sheriff non-emergencies can call 941.833.4161.
  • Call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Call Center for response and recovery information, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 941.743.1320 or 941.833.4000.
  • Call Charlotte County Solid Waste for garbage and recycling information at 941.764.4360.
  • Call Charlotte County Utilities for water and sewer information at 941.764.4300.

Recovery Resources

Disaster Unemployment Assistance available to Charlotte County businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Milton and are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits can apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

Operation Blue Roof available through Tuesday, Nov. 5 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This program is a free service for homeowners and permanently occupied rental properties, providing fiber-reinforced, industrial strength sheeting to protect storm-damaged roofs until homeowners can make permanent repairs. Residents impacted by Hurricane Milton can sign up for this no-cost service by visiting blueroof.gov or calling 888.766.3258.

Samaritan's Purse Cleanup Assistance offers free volunteer service that may be available to help with carrying personal belongings and furniture to the curb, flood cleanup, snaitizing, roof tarping and chainsaw work. Call 833.747.1234.

Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is ready to assist local businesses with disaster recovery efforts. Small business owners can receive on-site support navigating the challenges of post-disaster recovery. Business owners should bring all available financial documentation to help expedite the process. The Mobile Assistance Center (MAC) will be open near Bealls at the Port Charlotte Town Center Mall, 1441 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte:
  • Friday, Oct. 18, 2024 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

FloridaCommerce: Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program available for local businesses affected by Hurricane Helene until Nov. 24, 2024 or until funds exhausted. Visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL or call 833.832.4494 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Disaster Assistance Program for Low-Income Households
The State Housing Initiatives Partnership Disaster Assistance program provides assistance to low-income households following a disaster.

State Price Gouging Hotline: 1.866.966.7226. Florida’s price gouging law applies to items and services essential to getting ready for or recovering from a storm within the areas of a declared state of emergency. Visit MyFloridaLegal.com

Housing Repairs and Recovery Assistance Portal: The Disaster Case Management Program works with Long Term Recovery Groups to collaborate with national, state and local government and disaster relief organizations to provide resources to disaster survivors: volunteerflorida.org/dcmp-providers.

Legal Services: Florida Rural Legal Services provides free legal services to vulnerable and low-income clients within 13 counties in Florida and farmworkers throughout Florida. They may be able to help if you are experiencing legal challenges from Hurricane Ian. They are a not-for-profit organization and services include assistance with insurance claims, proof of ownership, property disputes, disaster benefits, and legal papers lost in the storm. Call 1.888.582.3410 or visit frls.org.

Insurance Help: The Florida Division of Consumer Services assists insurance consumers in the aftermath of a disaster. Visit myfloridacfo.com/division/consumers/storm/resources or call the insurance consumer helpline: 1.877.693.5236, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Strengthen your Home: The My Safe Florida Home program helps with strengthening your home which also helps to reduce the cost of home insurance premiums. Visit mysafeflhome.com or call 1.866.513.6734.

Help for Food and Beverage Workers: The Southern Smoke Foundation offers financial assistance for food and beverage workers - available nationwide and Gulf Coast funded relief for workers in Charlotte, Sarasota, and DeSoto Counties. Individuals may receive up to $1,000, and families may be eligible for up to $1,200. Apply online: southernsmoke.org/emergency-relief

Florida Dept. of Health Resources

Past Storms

Hurricane Ian Long Term Recovery Plan Public Works Ian Projects

Residents can still request long-term recovery assistance for Hurricane Ian through the Community Organizations Active in a Disaster website at COADFL.org.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans for Hurricane Debby
Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations who suffered damage from Hurricane Debby that occurred on Aug. 1, 2024 are eligible to apply for Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans. The deadline to apply for Economic Injury is May 12, 2025. For information:
  • Apply online at SBA.gov/disaster
  • Call the SBA Customer Service Center: 800.659.2955

Housing Repair Program: The Rebuild Florida Housing Repair and Replacement Program (HRRP) for Hurricane Ian is a centralized housing rehabilitation, reconstruction or replacement program that prioritizes low-to-moderate income families with seniors aged 62 and older, children, and/or disabled household members impacted by Hurricane Ian: ianflstormrstg.wpenginepowered.com.

Past Evacuation Orders

Hurricane Helene in 2024:

Hurricane Ian in 2022:

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