We’ve gathered Hurricane Milton Emergency Resources for Florida, including websites, social media and apps for help in planning, evacuating, shelters, recovery, and more. Updated 10/10/24
Hurricane and Disaster Recovery
- DisasterAssistance.gov
- FEMA: Get Assistance After a Disaster
- How Can You Stay Safe After a Hurricane?
- US DOL: Disaster Recovery Assistance
- US Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance
Financial assistance after a disaster – Find out how to get emergency financial help from the government if you have been affected by a natural disaster.
Disaster Distress Helpline – the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call or text 1-800-985-5990. Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1-800-985-5990 presiona “2.” For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, click the “ASL Now” button below or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7. FAQs for ASL NOW users
FloridaDisaster.org – from the Division of Emergency Management
State Assistance Information Line: 1-800-342-3557 – This call center runs 24/7 and can answer any Hurricane Milton or Hurricane Helene related questions in English, Spanish, and Creole.
Emergency Apps, Alerts & Radio
- Forida511 – up-to-the-minute, real-time traffic conditions for the State of Florida with FL511, featuring Drive Mode and Voice Interaction.
- Florida Storms App – a valuable tool when hurricanes, tropical storms, and other severe weather threatens your area. Get radar, alerts and official messaging from dependable government sources and listen to live storm coverage, and get the latest reports straight from the National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service, Florida Division of Emergency Management, and local public safety agencies.
- AlertFlorida – sign up for alerts from the Statewide Notification Initiative
- FEMA App
- Red Cross Mobile Apps
- NOAA Weather Radio
- Ready.Gov Emergency Alerts
Social Media for News Updates
- Tampa Bay Tribune Facebook facebook.com/tampabaycom
- Tampa Bay Tribune X (formerly Twitter): twitter.com/TB_Times
- Florida Disaster.org – Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FDEM/https://www.facebook.com/FDEM/
- FloridaDisaster.org X (formerly Twitter) https://x.com/FLSERThttps://x.com/FLSERT
- NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NWSNHC
- NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center X (formerly Twitter) https://x.com/nwsnhc
- Florida DOT Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MyFDOT
- Florida DOT X (formerly Twitter) https://x.com/MyFDOT
Key Florida Resources – Preparing for Hurricane Milton
Live Hurricane coverage – from the Tampa Bay Times (paywall is lifted for hurricane coverage)
NOAA Hurricane Tracker – from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
– – Local info on Milton: Tallahassee, Tampa Bay, Miami, Key West, Melbourne, Jacksonville, Charleston
Know Your Zone – Find your evacuation route; Know your zone / know your home FAQs
Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) – Emergency Shoulder Use (ESU) and Toll Suspension has been activated to ease evacuation routes. View a map of the active ESU Corridor
You still have time to evacuate, Tampa Bay. Here’s how.
- Important Shelter Information
- What to Take to a Shelter
- Florida – Special Needs Shelter
- Search for open shelters by texting SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362. Example: Shelter 01234 (standard rates apply).
General hurricane prep tips
- Before, During and After Evacuation – tips from Ready.Gov
- Hurricane Safety – Red Cross info on how to keep your home and family safe during a hurricane or typhoon.
- Disaster Supply Kit Checklist
- Hurricane season 2024: Checklists for building all kinds of storm kits
- Personal Finance Disaster Checklist
- Hurricane 2024: Protect your data and documents using your phone
- Make a Pet Plan
- How to protect your pets — and yourself — during a hurricane