Hurricane Idalia

Disaster safety and shelters

• Find the latest Hurricane Idalia information from FEMA, including safety tips and how to find a shelter.
• People with disabilities, access and functional needs, medical conditions and/or older adults in Florida who may need additional assistance and care have the option to register at a Special Needs Shelter.

Financial assistance

• Find out if you qualify for disaster financial assistance. You could get unemployment benefits, help buying groceries, and more.
• Get tips from this Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) blog post for recovering financially after a disaster and guidance on how to help people affected by Hurricane Idalia.

Food assistance

• USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced temporary changes to food programs in response to Hurricane Idalia:
  • People in the 49 Florida counties affected by Hurricane Idalia who would typically receive SNAP benefits between September 1 and 14 can receive them earlier. 
  • Child nutrition programs impacted by Hurricane Idalia in Florida will be permitted to temporarily change how and when meals are served and what food items make up a meal. Parents will also be allowed to pick up food.

Health and safety

• Mental health - Call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. The national hotline provides free 24/7, crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Deaf and hard of hearing ASL callers can use a videophone or ASL Now.

• The HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) deployed medical providers and disaster management professionals to Florida in response to Hurricane Idalia. Visit ASPR’s Hurricane Idalia page for:

  • ASPR press releases related to the deployment
  • The HHS Public Health Emergency declaration and the Waiver or Modification of Requirements Under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act
  • Technical assistance materials to help health care facilities prepare for and respond to hurricanes
  • Overview of ASPR deployed staff and assets

Military and veterans

• If you are a veteran or are concerned about a veteran who is in distress, contact the Veterans Crisis Line, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 988, then Press 1; text message (838255); or chat online. 
• If you receive care through the VA, you can get VA mental health services and/or engage with a mental health specialist at your local VA facility.

Documents and vital records

• The State Department is waiving application fees for passports lost in Florida as a result of Hurricane Idalia. Learn how replace a lost or damaged passport.
• Find out how to replace vital records and ID cards.

Business and consumer 

• Find out if you are eligible for an SBA Disaster Loan. These low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration can help homeowners, small businesses, and non-profits recover from a declared disaster.

Taxes

• Get the latest information from the IRS about when to file and pay your tax bill based on your state and the disaster. And visit the Taxpayer Advocate Service website for disaster relief and preparedness tips. You can also call the IRS disaster hotline at 1-866-562-5227.

Agriculture and food safety

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers food safety guidance, tips for protecting pets and livestock, and risk management and disaster assistance options for agricultural producers following a disaster.
• The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) encourages their stakeholders affected by Hurricane Idalia to get in touch if they will not be able to meet NIFA deadlines. 

Idalia weather updates

• Get current forecasts, advisories, and graphics from the National Hurricane Center.

• Visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Hurricane Idalia one-stop event page for information, maps, and other resources.

Communications

• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is monitoring the areas impacted by Hurricane Idalia and offers guidance for communicating during and after an emergency.

Government facilities

• Get updates about hurricane-related closings at the Glynco and Charleston Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC).
• Find out which buildings owned and/or operated by the General Services Administration (GSA) are closed or open to government employees and the public because of the hurricane.