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Hurricane Ian Relief & Ways to Help

Hurricane Ian Relief & Ways to Help (#FloridaStrong)

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Last Updated on April 10, 2024

Hurricane Ian relief and ways to help are on the forefront of our minds. The historic hurricane devastated parts of Southwest Florida and brought heavy rain plus an immense amount of flooding to many other areas throughout Florida.

hurricane aerial view
Source: Pexels

If you need assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, we have a collection of resources below offering financial assistance, emotional support, food & water supplies, government phone numbers, and much more. These Hurricane Ian relief efforts are listed under “Get Help.”

Photo source: FEMA

If you are looking to donate or volunteer to support Hurricane Ian relief efforts, we have also listed organizations that are currently accepting donations and/or volunteers. These are listed under “How to Help.”

Additionally, we suggest you reach out to people you may know and places you enjoy visiting in the areas with the most destruction to see if they have any specific needs/requests.

(Resources compiled by Breanna Ramos, Kate Sikes-Weeks, & Melanie Lentz-Janney)

Get Help

Visit Governor Ron DeSantis’ website for the latest updates and press releases: https://www.flgov.com/

Hurricane Ian Relief – FREE FOOD & WATER

POINTS OF DISTRIBUTION OPEN AS OF 10/3/22 (listed by county):

Sarasota County

  • Hyundai of Venice 200 Jacaranda Blvd. Venice, FL 34292
  • Englewood Center Plaza 200 S. Indiana Ave. Englewood, FL 34223
  • Twin Lakes Park 6700 Clark Road Sarasota, FL 34241
  • Venice Community Center 326 S. Nokomis Ave. Venice, FL 34258
  • San Pedro Catholic Church 14380 Tamiami Trail North Port, FL 32487
  • Sarasota County Croquet Club 1400 Lucaya Ave Venice, FL 34285

Hardee County

  • Burgin Farms 611 S. 6th Ave Wauchula, FL 33873

DeSoto County

  • DeSoto County Department of Emergency Management 2200 Northeast Roan Street Arcadia, FL 34266
  • Nocatee Elementary School 4846 SW Shores Arcadia, FL 34266
  • Save A Lot 1325 E. Oak Street Arcadia, FL 34266

Highlands County

  • Save A Lot 70 Plaza Ave. Lake Placid, FL 33852
  • South Florida State College 600 W College Drive Avon Park, FL 33825
  • Florida Department of Health in Highlands County 7205 S. George Blvd. Sebring, FL 33875

Lee County

  • Old Bonita Springs Library  26876 Pine Ave. Bonita Springs, FL 34135
  • Kelly Road Soccer Complex 10750 Kelly Road Fort Myers, FL 33908
  • Cape Coral Sports Complex 1410 Sports Blvd. Cape Coral, FL 33991
  • Cape Coral Leonard Street 4820 Leonard Street Cape Coral, FL 33904
  • Estero High School Ballfield Park 9100 Williams Road Estero, FL 33928
  • North Fort Myers Rec Center 2000 N. Recreation Park Way North Fort Myers, FL 33903
  • Fleamasters Fleamarket  4135 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Fort Myers, FL 33916
  • Veterans Park Rec Center 55 Homestead Road S. Lehigh Acres, FL 33938

Charlotte County

  • Muscle Car City 10175 Tamiami Trail Punta Gorda, FL 33950
  • Charlotte Sports Prak  2300 El Jobean Rd Port Charlotte, FL 33948
  • Tringali Park 3460 N Access Rd. Englewood, FL 34224

Collier County

  • Collier County Emergency Management 8075 Lely Cultural Parkway Naples, FL 34113
  • Sugden Regional Park 4284 Avalon Dr. Naples, FL 34112
  • Everglades City Administrative Office 102 Copeland Ave. Everglades City, FL 34139
  • Veterans Park 1895 Veterans Park Dr. Naples, FL 34112

World Central Kitchen

Chef José Andrés founded this organization in 2010 after a huge earthquake devastated Haiti. They are currently preparing meals and sending out food trucks to feed people affected by Hurricane Ian.

To keep up with any location changes, follow World Central Kitchen on Facebook.

Learn more about this organization and ways you can help at https://wck.org/relief/hurricane-ian.

OTHER RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTS:

  • To ensure that residents in need can reach resources, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is assessing all fueling stations in the City of Arcadia (DeSoto County), for fueling capabilities and working to place generators to restore power in the area.
  • Additionally, FDEM has delivered a mobile fuel tanker to be refilled as needed with unleaded and diesel gasoline operating from sunrise to sunset and providing fuel to residents in DeSoto county. Cars will receive 10 gallons per vehicle, trucks/SUVs will get 15 and only credit or debit is accepted for payment.
  • DeSoto and Sarasota counties have been approved for Individual Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. For those in need of individual and household assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.Gov or call 1-800-621-3362.
  • Florida Department of Children & Families Resource Center:
  • *Blue Roof Program: Residents impacted by Hurricane Ian can sign us at Blueroof.us or call toll-free 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) for more information.

*The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been tasked by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist eligible homeowners with temporary roof repairs. The program will provide a temporary blue covering with fiber-reinforced sheeting to help reduce further damage to the property until permanent repairs can be made.

The counties that have been identified are Charlotte and Lee. The initial sign-up period is set for 21 days and will end on Oct. 23.

people standing in flooded neighborhood
Source: American Red Cross Facebook page

Disaster Distress Helpline – 1-800-985-5990

Disaster Distress Helpline

The Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year hotline offering counseling and support for people dealing with emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. The hotline is multilingual and confidential. 

For additional resources from SAMHSA, see their informational emotional distress webpage for hurricanes and tropical storms on the SAMHSA website.

For assistance:

  • Call or text 1-800-985-5990

FEMA

For the next 30 days, the Federal Emergency Management Agency expects to help with emergency services, debris removal and provide other assistance to survivors in nine Florida counties, including Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota.

FEMA also offers individual assistance in the following Central Florida counties: Flagler, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, and Volusia.

To apply for assistance:

  • Online: go to DisasterAssistance.gov
  • Call: dial 800-621-FEMA (3362)

NOTE: FEMA will never ask you for money to provide disaster assistance.

Recognize fraud:

  • FEMA employees will always have an official ID
  • Don’t trust anyone who offers financial help & asks for money or personal info.
  • Always talk with someone you trust.

American Red Cross

American Red Cross is providing disaster assistance for Hurricane Ian survivors, including emergency shelters. No identification is needed to enter a shelter. 

For assistance: 

U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration provides disaster loan assistance for businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners, and renters in eligible Florida counties affected by Hurricane Ian.

See more information on the Official SBA website.

For assistance: 

  • Call: 1-800-659-2955
  • Apply for loan assistance online

Florida PTA

Mental Health Support Resources: https://www.pta.org/home/programs/Healthy-Lifestyles/mental-health

Government Phone Numbers

Florida Dept. of Emergency Management: 1-850-815-4000

Flagler County: 800-451-1954

Orange County: 311

Volusia County: 866-345-0345

Orlando: 407-246-4357

Lakeland: 863-401-2234

Hurricane Ian Relief Phone and Internet Services

AT&T

AT&T customers will waive talk, text, and data overage charges for customers in impacted areas through Oct. 28.

COMCAST

Comcast is making its network of public Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots across the state free for anyone to use, including non-Xfinity customers. For details on how to find and use a Wi-Fi hotspot, check the Comcast website.

SPECTRUM

Spectrum is opening Out-of-Home Wi-Fi access points to all. Indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi spots can be found at locations across Central Florida. Head to the Spectrum website to find one near you.

T-MOBILE

T-Mobile customers affected by Hurricane Ian who does not have unlimited talk, text, and data will have it through Oct. 3.

VERIZON

Verizon customers living in affected zip codes will have unlimited domestic talk, text, and data through Oct. 4. Verizon is also working on setting up Wi-Fi hotspots, free charging stations, and other services.

Update as of 10/26/22:

Internet Connectivity

  • For Comcast Xfinity customers in impacted areas that are still experiencing service interruption, the equipment or the connection inside the home may likely be damaged. Please chat with a Xfinity assistant online or call 1-800-XFINITY (1-800-934-6489).
  • Xfinity WiFi vans, which provide free wireless internet service so residents and emergency personnel can stay connected, are open and active for impacted individuals, free for everyone, to connect from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily until further notice, currently stationed at: Walmart Supercenter at 1619 Del Prado Boulevard South, Cape Coral, FL 33990; Walmart Supercenter at 17105 San Carlos Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33931; Walmart Neighborhood Market (Charlotte Square) at 2150 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL 33948; Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association at 2001 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
  • AT&T welcomes other carriers’ customers to roam on its networks so they can connect, even if their carrier’s service isn’t available after the storm. Since opening the AT&T network last week for roaming, it has handled about 47 TBs (equal to 16 billion text messages) of traffic from other carriers to help keep those in impacted areas connected.
  • Comcast has Xfinity WiFi vans to provide free internet connectivity as communities continue to recover from Hurricane Ian. The vans are available from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, located at: Walmart Supercenter, 1619 Del Prado Boulevard South, Cape Coral, FL; Bonita Springs Public Library, 2687 Pine Ave., Bonita Springs, FL; Walmart Supercenter, 17105 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers, FL; Walmart Neighborhood Market (Charlotte Square) at 2150 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL
  • Verizon customers and small business customers in Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Hardee, Lee, and Sarasota counties will continue to receive unlimited calling, texting, and mobile data through October 31, 2022, in counties.
  • Verizon has deployed a Wireless Emergency Connection Center (WECC) to assist Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian with wi-fi, phone batteries, and charging stations. This station is available to any customer of any carrier to stay connected: Fort Myers Town Hall, 2525 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931; Additionally, charging pedestals are available at: North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Road, Naples, FL 34116
  • Lumen customers with either CenturyLink or Quantum Fiber services experiencing outages can visit https://www.centurylink.com/home/help.html or call 1-800-201-4099 to report outages.
  • To report a trouble ticket for the Quantum Fiber service, customers can chat by visiting https://www.quantumfiber.com/support.html or calling 1-833-250-6306.
  • Lumen has set up three 24/7 Wi-Fi locations for its CenturyLink and Quantum Fiber customers. The free Wi-Fi locations include: 4001 Palm Tree Boulevard, Cape Coral, FL 33904; 10546 Tipton Drive, Bokeelia, FL 33922; 4195 Kings Highway, Port Charlotte, FL 33980

FLORIDA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

PRICE INCREASES PROTECTIONS

Florida law prohibits price increases for essential commodities & services during a declared State of Emergency. If you encounter extreme price increases on essential items or see recovery-related scams, please contact Florida’s price gouging hotline at (800) 966-7226.

LEGAL HELP

A free legal help hotline is now available for #HurricaneIan survivors. The hotline is available to connect survivors to free legal services in qualifying counties that can’t afford an attorney.

Survivors can call 866-550-2929 anytime & leave a message if calling after hours.

HEAT SAFETY TIPS

  • Heat safety tips to keep in mind as you clean up from #HurricaneIan
  • Be careful with heavy equipment – be sure to wear protective gear
  • Stay safe in the heat – stay hydrated & wear light, loose-fitting clothing
  • Don’t push yourself – take lots of breaks

REMINDERS

  • If #Ian caused damage to your home or belongings, document it before you clean it up.
  • Take photos before you begin to clean up.
  • Make a list of damaged or lost items & gather receipts.
  • Do not touch or cut power lines as they may be live.
  • If you have evacuated, please only return home until local officials say it is safe.
  • Check https://fl511.com/ for traffic conditions.

How to Help

volunteers working
Source: American Red Cross on Facebook page

If you want to help those affected by Hurricane Ian, most of the services above are open to receiving donations and volunteers. For more information, please see their websites. 

FEMA

If you would like to donate money or your time to volunteer agencies (such as the Florida Baptist, Farm Share, Midwest Food Bank, Operation BBQ Relief, and Mercy Chefs) that are staging operations for feeding survivors and the federal workers who are helping them, go to FEMA.gov/assistance/volunteer-donate.

You may also donate to VolunteerFlorida.org/donatefdf or text DISASTER to 20222.

American Red Cross

Before Hurricane Ian made landfall, the Red Cross sent 500 trained staffers and convoys of supplies to strategic locations throughout Florida. There are several ways to help: If you want to volunteer, go to RedCross.org/volunteertoday.

Make a $10 donation by texting the word IAN to 90999, or donate at 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) or RedCross.org.

Hurricane Ian Relief – ADDITIONAL HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS AROUND THE STATE

Volunteer Florida

This agency for volunteerism and national service also has a foundation that manages the Florida Disaster Fund. Their website has a clearinghouse of disaster relief efforts looking for volunteers.

You may also make donations to the Florida Disaster Fund through the foundation, which as a 501(c)(3) charity, makes your gift tax-deductible.

Go to VolunteerFlorida.org.

Florida Ian Response Fund

A coalition of grassroots groups banded together in 2017 to respond to Hurricane Irma. Once again, they are activating for Hurricane Ian’s recovery.

The on-the-ground organizations that make up the alliance include Florida Rising, Dream Defenders, the Florida Immigrant Coalition, Central Florida Jobs With Justice, and Faith in Florida.

Go to ActBlue.com/donate/ianresponsefl.

The Salvation Army

From Florida to Puerto Rico, the Salvation Army has been giving emergency services, temporary housing, food, and emotional/spiritual care to survivors of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona. 

The organization estimates that it is helping 1 million evacuees in their Florida shelters alone, each feeding 500 to 1,500 people per day.

To donate, go to HelpSalvationArmy.org.

Heart of Florida United Way

Heart of Florida United Way is available to connect people to resources, including supplies, food, clothing, and hygiene locations. 211 is a three-digit number people can call for information and support.

It is a free and confidential service available in Central Florida that can provide information on utility assistance, food and housing assistance, mental health, and more. They also have disaster-related resources, including clothing, cleaning supplies, cleanup, and crisis counseling.

For assistance:

  • Call: dial 2-1-1
  • Text: send your zip code to 898-211
  • Chat: chat with an operator on their website with Chatstart.
  • Donate Online
  • Donate by phone by calling 407-835-0908 

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

  • Apply to be a Volunteer
  • Donate critical items to one of their locations
  • Donate Online
  • Donate by phone by calling 407-514-1039
  • Donate by mail by making your check out to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and mailing it to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, 411 Mercy Drive, Orlando, FL 32805.

U-Haul (Central Florida)

U-Haul is offering 30 days of free storage and U-Box container usage at 43 locations across Florida, including the following Central Florida locations:

See more information on the Uhaul Website.

Feeding South Florida

This Pembroke Park-based hunger relief organization is working to ensure victims of Hurricane Ian have clean water and ready-to-eat meals.

To donate, go to FeedingSouthFlorida.org.

Publix Super Markets Charities

Publix has a companywide donation program that allows shoppers to donate any amount at checkout. Donations go to benefit the American Red Cross in its Hurricane Ian-related efforts.

For more information, go to Corporate.Publix.com.

OneBlood

This organization provides blood to more than 250 hospitals throughout Florida and parts of the South. They are encouraging people not affected by the storm to consider donating blood.

While all blood types are needed, there is a particular call for O Negative and O Positive donors.

To find a Big Red Bus blood drive or a donor center near you, visit OneBlood.org.

Food For The Poor

This Coconut Creek-based organization has been working with its church partners to provide disaster relief for vulnerable families. Now FFTP is accepting donations for cleaning kits.

To see a list of what is needed, go to FoodForThePoor.org/help-now/disaster-relief-hurricane-ian.

You may also deliver the goods from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays to FFTP’s warehouse at 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek.

WISHLY

This social media platform connects users to nonprofits and their causes. Available on Apple iOS, Android Google Play, and their website, the fundraising app is asking for $5 donations that will help people and pets with food, shelter, and emergency services.

The money will go to the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Mercy Corps, Mercy Chefs, and City Search & Rescue. Go to WishlyApp.com.

Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League

This West Palm Beach-based organization is taking part in the urgent transfer of cats and dogs from Florida’s Gulf Coast.

To support their efforts, you can donate by going to PeggyAdams.org/hurricaneian.

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County

After getting in touch with other federations both here in South Florida and on Florida’s Gulf Coast to offer assistance, the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County opened an emergency relief fund to provide urgent basic needs, repairs, cleanup, and long-term help for victims.

To donate, go to JewishPB.org/ianrelief.

Fort Lauderdale Ice

This South Florida company has a legacy of pitching in after hurricanes. This time around, John and Jennifer Rezai, who head up Fort Lauderdale Ice, will use part of their fleet of trucks to carry dry and cold items to hard-hit areas.

In addition to money (cash, credit card, Venmo, Zelle), you can also donate food items, pet food, diapers, socks, towels, batteries, flashlights, blankets, tents, and “anything you think they can use,” says Belinda January, COO of the company. “Those poor people lost everything.”

The main dropoff point will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day at 1915 NW 18th St., Building C, Pompano Beach. The company is also willing to drop off boxes to anyone who wishes to collect items and, upon request, would later pick them up.

For more information, go to FortLauderdaleIce.com.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue

This Palm Beach County-based operation will provide pet supplies to shelters and families. You can donate wet or dry dog and cat food, blankets, crates, and/or cash. Big Dog Ranch Rescue founder and CEO Lauree Simmons say she will send the first trucks within 48 hours, so time is of the essence.

Drop off donated supplies from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Big Dog Ranch Rescue, 14444 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves, or make cash donations by calling 561-791-6465 or going to BDRR.org.

Global Empowerment Mission (GEM)

This nonprofit started with a mission to help people during the 1999 Kosovo Crisis and has continued through the years trying “to bridge the gap between first response and sustainable development,” according to its website. Currently, GEM is helping people affected by both Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Fiona.

If you have supplies you’d like to donate — everything from nonperishable food and water to first aid kits and tents — there is a drop-off donation at 1810 NW 94th Ave., Doral.

If you wish to volunteer, go to GlobalEmpowermentMission.org/volunteer.

To donate money, go to GlobalEmpowermentMission.org/financials/how-to-donate.

Greater Miami Jewish Federation

According to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s website, 100% of all money collected “will provide aid and critical support to those in need.” Checks should be notated with “Hurricane Ian Relief Fund” and mailed to Greater Miami Jewish Federation, 4200 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL. 33137.

For more information, visit JewishMiami.org/gift/hurricane-ian or call 305-576-4000.

Team Rubicon

This disaster relief organization was created following the 2010 Haiti earthquake and today has expanded to more than 150,000 volunteers across the United States. To use their “text to give” program, you donate $10 by texting RUBICON to 20222 (to donate $25, text TEAM instead).

You may also donate by going to TeamRubiconUSA.org/give.

If you want to volunteer, go to TeamRubiconUSA.org/international.

World Central Kitchen

To support their efforts, go to WCK.org/relief/hurricane-ian.

Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County

This organization is coordinating a relief effort by collecting and distributing supplies to help victims of the storm. The drop-off collections continue at the Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center, 21050 95th Ave. S., Boca Raton. Go to JewishBoca.org/news/pr/iandropoff to see the specific food and supply donations that are needed.

You may also make a financial donation at JewishBoca.org/give/hurricaneian.

Rebuilding Together

This national organization has affiliates in Tampa Bay, Central Florida, and North Central Florida, so they are already on the ground directly helping communities recover.

To donate, go to RebuildingTogether.org/hurricane-ian.

Florida International University

Florida International University said it’s working with State University System institutions and reaching out to its 1,800 students as well as faculty and staff who live or have relatives on the west coast to help provide support and resources.

To donate, go to FIUstrong.fiu.edu.

CORE

Global response organization Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) said it’s coordinating with local governments in affected regions to get relief supplies to those with the most urgent needs.

For more information, go to CoreResponse.org.

Direct Relief

This California-based global humanitarian aid organization, which is active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, is working to assess and respond to needs for medical aid and supplies in Florida.

To donate, go to DirectRelief.org/emergency/hurricane-ian.

Project Hope

This Washington D.C.-based humanitarian aid organization was reportedly on the ground less than 24 hours after Hurricane Ian made landfall, visiting shelters and health clinics to distribute supplies and assess needs in the coming days.

To donate, go to ProjectHope.org.

All Hands and Hearts

This nonprofit organization is deploying groups of volunteers for DART (Disaster Assessment Response Team) to help in Florida.

To volunteer for DART or make a donation, go to AllHandsAndHearts.org.

The Sharing Center

The Sharing Center provides a food pantry, showers, and laundry. 600 N. 17-92, Longwood. 

For assistance:

Florida Now

Get live Twitter, Instagram and webcam feeds from all over the state. For up-to-the-minute travel conditions, social media information and commentary, Visit Florida has you covered: https://www.visitflorida.com/more/florida-now/ 

Additional Authentic Florida resources: A List of Hurricane Resources in Florida

Feel free to add any additional resources in the comments below! We are #FloridaStrong.

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