Biden approves FEMA aid for Florida counties hit by Helene

FEMA announced Sunday that President Joe Biden approved federal disaster assistance for hard hit areas in Florida.

FEMA announced that along with Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, federal aid would be available for those affected by Hurricane Helene in the following counties: Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Sarasota, Taylor and Wakulla counties.

"Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster," FEMA said in a statement.

Federal funding is also available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor and Wakulla counties.

John E. Brogan will be the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov , by calling 1-800-621- 3362 or by using the FEMA App . If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

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