Hurricane Preparedness
- Safe Storage of Your Estate Planning Documents
With the after-effects of Hurricanes Irma, Ian, and now Helene and Milton, safe estate planning document storage should be a concern for many. When you have to evacuate, what is most important to bring? Do you need your original documents? What if your originals were lost or destroyed during a natural disaster? To get answers to these common questions and concerns, see attorney Rep DeLoach's blog post on safe storage of estate planning documents. - View the 2024 Hurricane Guide from the Pinellas County Government with valuable information and preparation tips. Below are the links in English, Spanish, & Vietnamese:
- NOAA's National Hurricane Center: excellent resource for storm preparedness https://www.ready.gov/
hurricanes - Pinellas County Emergency Management: get details regarding evacuation zones, shelter options, etc. http://www.pinellascounty.org/
emergency/ - Download Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Adults Age 50+
English | Spanish - SPCA Tampa Bay Pet Owner Emergency Resources Hurricane Preparedness for Pets
- Know your zone: https://kyz.pinellas.gov/
- Pinellas County: sandbag locations http://www.pinellascounty.org/
emergency/sandbags.htm - Consider whether you need to use the Florida Special Needs Registry: First responders use the Special Needs Registry as a valuable reference when planning where to place special needs shelters in advance of hurricanes and other emergencies. They also use the registry to check on Floridians in the aftermath of a storm. If you need to register, please visit the Florida Special Needs Registry website, select your county of residence and follow the instructions to register. There is also important information and local resources you may want to review as you register. If your loved one is living with dementia or is otherwise unable to register, you can register for them as their caregiver. Regardless of where you live in Florida, you only need to register once. Register yourself or a loved one now.
Recovery Resources
We Are Here to Help
Our experienced personal injury, litigation, and real estate attorneys and their staff are standing by if you ever need help with any of the following:
- downed trees or fences
- water intrusion
- resolving property damage disputes with insurance companies
- or other related issues
Property Damage Claims
When your property suffers hurricane damage, navigating the claims process with your insurance company can feel overwhelming. It's important to take immediate steps to document the damage, communicate effectively with your insurer, and know your options if you're met with delays or low offers. This FAQ will guide you through the essential steps to protect your interests and ensure you get the compensation you deserve. If you're not satisfied with your insurance company’s response, our team is here to help, offering legal support and contingency fee arrangements to make the process easier for you.
- Duke Energy: power updates www.duke-energy.com/outages
- FEMA: Temporary Shelter Assistance (hotel/motel) Citizens must register with FEMA to receive. Eligible survivors can find the list of TSA-approved hotels on www.disasterassistance.gov, and click on the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) Program – Participating Hotel List link. If you don’t have access to internet, you may also call the FEMA Helpline (1-800-621-3362) for assistance with locating one.
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Cooling stations are open in areas where residents remain without power following Hurricane Helene. These stations will provide a place for residents to cool off and charge their phones. These locations can be found at disaster.pinellas.gov.
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Make sure contractors you hire are licensed - unlicensed or fraudulent contractors often target desperate homeowners in the aftermath of hurricanes. Learn more at pinellas.gov/choosing-a-contractor and verify contractors are licensed at contractorsearch.pcclb.com.
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- Pinellas County: For additional information on hiring contractors, visit www.pcclb.com Remember; do not pay for work until it is fully completed to your satisfaction. For additional consumer protections available to you, visit: www.pinellascounty.org/
consumer
How to Support Hurricane Helene and Milton Victims
We are heartbroken by the devastating losses to our area and wanted to share a few fellow non-profit organizations you might consider making a donation to or volunteering with:
The Red Cross: help people affected by Hurricane Helene. Visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to make a financial donation. People can also text the word HELENE to 90999 to make a donation.
The Florida Disaster Fund: distributes funds to service organizations that will serve individuals within their communities with disaster response and recovery. To donate, volunteer or get more information visit https://www.volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf/
Feeding Tampa Bay: to find events and food pantries near you visit https://feedingtampabay.org/findfood
Local donation drop offs:
For additional ways to help, please see this Tampa Bay Times article.
How to Reach Us
If our office closes due to a hurricane, you can reach us for assistance by using the contact form on our website or by sending a private message on Facebook. We are closely monitoring these messages and will respond as soon as possible.
Additional Resources in Tampa Bay
- Pinellas County resources https://pinellas.gov/emergency-information
- Hillsborough County resources https://hcfl.gov/residents/stay-safe/storm-recovery-resources
- Pasco County resources https://www.pascocountyfl.net/services/emergency_management/resources_and_recovery.php
- Manatee County resources https://extreme-weather-dashboard-manateegis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/5f2fb9055e624647ab9333f9de6ad845
- Sarasota County resources https://www.scgov.net/government/departments/emergency-services
- FEMA Application https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance https://floridajobs.org/Reemployment-Assistance-Service-Center/reemployment-assistance/claimants/disaster-unemployment-assistance