Hernando County Residents Eligible
For FEMA Federal Individual Assistance
Homeowners and renters in Hernando County who were affected by Hurricane Helene are encouraged to apply for federal disaster assistance to help jump-start their recovery. It’s as easy as a 20-minute phone call or a click online. If affected by both Hurricane Debby and Hurricane Helene, when registering for assistance and asked the question about the date of when the damages occurred, homeowners should provide the date of their most recently sustained damages.
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made the federal assistance available Saturday, September 28, 2024 when he approved a Major Disaster Declaration request from the state of Florida to help with costs associated with impacts from Hurricane Helene.
How to Apply with FEMA
Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
Call FEMA directly at 800-621-3362 (FEMA)
FEMA works with each household on a case-by-case basis.
Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. For an accessible video on three ways to apply for FEMA assistance, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI
Types of FEMA Assistance Available
FEMA is offering a wide variety of help to people affected by the recent hurricanes. Every homeowner and renter who suffered damage is encouraged to apply.
Money provided by FEMA does not have to be repaid and may include:
Serious Needs Assistance: Money for lifesaving and life-sustaining items, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation.
Displacement Assistance: Money to help with housing needs if you cannot return to your home because of the disaster. The money can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or other options while you look for a rental unit.
Home Repair or Replacement: Money to help you repair or replace your home damaged by the disaster. The money can also help with pre-existing damage to parts of your home where the disaster caused further damage.
Rental Assistance: Money you can use to rent housing if you are displaced from your home because of the disaster.
Personal Property: Money to help you repair or replace appliances, room furnishings, and a personal or family computer damaged by the disaster. This can also include money for books, uniforms, tools, medical equipment, and other items required for school or work, including self-employment.
Childcare: Money to help you pay for increased or childcare expenses caused by the disaster.
Transportation: Money to help you repair or replace a vehicle damaged by the disaster when you don’t have another vehicle you can use.
Moving and Storage Expenses: Money to help you move and store personal property from your home to prevent additional damage.
Mobile personal hygiene care trailer
Beginning Sunday, Sept. 29, a mobile personal hygiene care trailer is available on Hernando Beach at 4054 Shoal Line Blvd, providing showers, restrooms and laundry services. For reference, this is where the old R Beach restaurant was located. You must bring your own soap, towels, laundry detergent, etc.
Donations List
The United Way is asking for the following items to be donated via Hernando public schools through Oct. 11. Items will be collected at each school through Oct. 11 and delivered to the United Way.
Non perishable food items
Toiletries
Garbage Bags
Bleach, Vinegar and any cleaning supplies
Putty Knives
Mold Removal/Prevention (Simple Green)
Cleaning/ Work Gloves
Gatorade
Hernando County Park Closures
Hernando County Parks and Recreation Temporarily Closing Parks Due to Hurricane Helene Damage
Effective Friday, September 27, 2024, due to Hurricane Helene and the damages that the Hernando County Parks sustained, County staff and emergency personnel are utilizing this temporary closure time to assess damage, conduct physical inspections, and determine necessary repairs. The following parks are temporarily closed until further notice:
• Alfred A. McKethan Pine Island Park, 10800 Pine Island Drive, Spring Hill, FL 34607
• Rogers Park, 7244 Shoal Line Boulevard, Spring Hill, FL 34607
• Bayport Park, 4140 Cortez Boulevard, Spring Hill, FL 34607
• Jenkin’s Creek Park, 6401 Shoal Line Boulevard, Spring Hill, FL 34607
• Linda Pedersen Park, 6400 Shoal Line Boulevard, Spring Hill, FL 34607
• Hernando Beach Boat Ramp has partial ramp closures but can still facilitate vessel access on ramps unobstructed.
Visit the Hernando County Emergency Management website at www.HernandoCounty.us/EM for all storm-related notices.
Emergency Building Permits
Effective Friday, September 27, 2024, emergency building permit forms will be available on the Hernando County Government website by visiting www.HernandoCounty.us. Applications must be complete and notarized, if applicable. Please submit completed applications for emergency permitting due to Hurricane Helene using the following email: [email protected]
On the website you will find the following information:
• Emergency Building Permit Application
• Electric Meter Request (Owner)
• Electric Meter Request (Contractor)
• Hernando County Storm Damage Guidelines
Family Resource Center
Pick up supplies, information, resources and meals at the Family Resource Center at the Weeki Wachee Area Club, open daily throughout the week, 9 am – 5 pm. The address is 7442 Shoal Line Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34607. The Family Resource Center is hosted by Health and Human Services, United Way of Hernando County, Red Cross of Central Florida and the Florida Department of Health.
Water and ready-made meals
Fire Station 6 in Hernando Beach has water and ready-made meals / MRES available as a self-serving station.
