Storm Recovery

The Charlotte County Emergency Management Office is working through response and recovery from storms, maintaining communication with local, state, and federal agencies.

Follow Charlotte County Emergency Management on this website and social media for updates:

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Hurricane Helene Updates

• Charlotte County One-Stop Business Resource Site for small business owners
  • Open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Oct. 2-4 at CareerSource SWFL, 3745 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte
  • Help with Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans, Disaster Unemployment Assistance and more
• Comfort Station with free showers and laundry - 8 a.m.-7 p.m. at Harold Avenue Regional Park, 23400 Harold Ave. in Port Charlotte (bring your own supplies)
• Distribution Center at Macy's parking lot at Port Charlotte Town Center Mall has closed
• Text the word CHARCOCARES to 888-777 to receive text updates on recovery resources
• Private Well Testing kits available at Department of Health, 1100 Loveland Blvd., Port Charlotte, while supplies last

Resource List Community Services Facilities Status

FEMA

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
• On the FEMA mobile app
• Call 800.621.3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST

To help in applying for FEMA assistance, Charlotte County Transit will provide free rides to and from Charlotte County Libraries to residents who needs free Wi-Fi or online access via a library computer. To reserve a ride, call 941-833-4000 between 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.  Sun., through Oct. 6.

• Your address and zip code
• Condition of your damaged home
• Insurance information, if available
• Social Security number
• Phone number where you can be contacted
• Address where you can get mail or email address to receive electronic notifications. 

Residents can apply for assistance in person at the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at Sarasota Christian Church, 2933 Ashton Road, Sarasota. The DRC hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. This location is also a Business Recovery Center (BRC).

County Services

• Charlotte County Transit Resumed Normal Operations
• South Gulf Cove Lock Operational
• County Offices and facilities reopened Monday Sept. 30
• Some recreation centers and pools have reopened
• Public Works Clearing Don Pedro Island Roads
• Harold Ave. Shelter Open | Shelter Listing Info
  • Lyft offers rides to Harold Ave. Shelter - use code HELENERELIEF24 for 2 rides up to $25 each (for 1,500 rides from now until 11:59 p.m. on Oct.4)

Storm Debris & Solid Waste

• Charlotte County Transfer facilities open 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m. starting Monday, Sept. 30 through Saturday, Nov. 2. Residential only, no commercial waste. 
• Sand Drop-off Site - now open at the north end of the parking area in Englewood Beach at Chadwick Park, 2100 N. Beach Road in Englewood. The site is open from dawn to dusk. Homeowners and contractors can drop off the sand from flood-deposited cleanups for free at the drop-off site.
• Road Conditions at County Landfill - 4WD or AWD car may be required
• Guidelines for Storm Debris Separation and placement in county-maintained roads - It is the property owners' responsibility to bring the debris to the curb and properly separate it into these categories and place the piles in county-maintained right-of-way, off the road and not on private property: construction and demolition materials, electronic waste (e-waste), household hazardous waste, white goods, vegetation, regular household garbage.
• The Charlotte County Utilities Department reminds residents not to place trash or debris around fire hydrants, backflow preventers, or water meter boxes.
  
  Debris Separation Guide Debris Separation Guide-Spanish

Permits and Inspections

• Community Development Inspections to resume Oct. 2
• Permits are Required in Charlotte County for Storm Damage Repairs
• Work that can be Completed Without a Permit - To streamline the rebuilding process and prevent delays, follow these guidelines on work that does not require a permit: 
  • Removal of debris from on or inside a structure. 
  • Minor demolition to prevent injury or prevent further damage to buildings. This includes removal of drywall that has been affected by flood water. 
  • Structural shoring and bracing. 
  • Repair of minor water leaks that do not involve structural, mechanical, or electrical systems.  
  • Previously permitted fences destroyed by the storm may be re-installed, like for like, in the exact same location, except for fences used as a pool enclosure. Pool enclosure fence replacements must be reviewed for compliance with pool safety requirements. 
  • If you are unsure whether your project requires a permit, or if additional information is needed, visit Permits or contact Community Development at 941.743.1201 or BuildingConstruction@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.   
• Unlicensed Contracting During an Emergency is a Felony

Damage Assistance

• Report Storm Damage to Charlotte County
• Business Damage Assessment Survey - FloridaDisaster.biz
• Cleanup Assistance by Crisis Cleanup: call 844-965-1386, deadline Oct. 25, 2024

Safety tips

• Contractor Storm Preparations | Flooding Safety | Prevent Electrical Hazards if House Flooded | Electric Vehicle Safety | Generator Safety | Impacts to Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems After a Flood | Food Safety After a Power Outage | Lithium Battery Safety

Muck and Gut Guide

Temporary Recreational Vehicles and Mobile Homes Allowed

Residents whose homes have been damaged and rendered uninhabitable from Hurricane Helene can temporarily live in RVs and mobile homes on their property until Sept. 23, 2027. Only occupants of the damaged home may do so.

RV/Camper Location Registration

To obtain a permit to set a temporary mobile home, visit the Community Development Department at 18400 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, to fill out necessary paperwork and provide plans. Questions about RV registration: 941.743.1201.

Relief & Recovery Resources

Get Help

• For life-threatening emergencies, call or text 9-1-1.
• Sheriff non-emergencies can call 941.833.4161.
• Call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Call Center for response and recovery information, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 941.743.1320 or 941.833.4000.
• Call Charlotte County Solid Waste for garbage and recycling information at 941.764.4360.
• Call Charlotte County Utilities for water and sewer information at 941.764.4300.

Recovery Resources

Mobile Medical Clinic: A free mobile medical clinic which provides essential healthcare services, will be at Harold Avenue Regional Park, 23400 Harold Ave. in Port Charlotte from 1-4 p.m. on Oct. 3 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Oct. 8.

FloridaCommerce: Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program available for local businesses affected by Hurricane Helene until Nov. 24, 2024 or until funds exhausted. Visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL or call 833-832-4494 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Disaster Assistance Program for Low-Income Households
The State Housing Initiatives Partnership Disaster Assistance program provides assistance to low-income households following a disaster.

State Price Gouging Hotline: 1-866-966-7226. Florida’s price gouging law applies to items and services essential to getting ready for or recovering from a storm within the areas of a declared state of emergency. Visit MyFloridaLegal.com

Donations & Volunteering

The Charlotte County Volunteer Reception Center is now open for individuals who would like to offer their skills to help with the disaster recovery. The VRC is supported by the Charlotte County COAD (www.COADFL.org). Register at the VRC, located at the Family Services Center, 21500 Gibralter Drive, Port Charlotte. The VRC is open from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday (closed Sunday). Call 941-370-2734 for more information.

Donations of clothing, household items such as cleaning supplies and household goods (no furniture) can be made at Murdock Baptist Church located at 18375 Cochran Blvd., Port Charlotte on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. People in need of household items due to losses from Hurricane Helene can come take items during the same timeframe.

Financial donations can be made online at www.COADFL.org.

VolunteerFlorida: Residents, groups and organizations, contractors or professionals willing to volunteer can register online at www.VolunteerFlorida.org/volunteerconnect. Contractors or Professionals may also email coadVRC@gmail.com.

Past Storms

Residents can still request long-term recovery assistance for Hurricane Ian through the Community Organizations Active in a Disaster website at COADFL.org.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans for Hurricane Debby
Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations who suffered damage from Hurricane Debby that occurred on Aug. 1, 2024 are eligible to apply for Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans. The deadline to apply for Economic Injury is May 12, 2025. For information:

• Apply online at www.sba.gov/disaster
• Call the SBA Customer Service Center: 800.659.2955

Housing Repair Program: The Rebuild Florida Housing Repair and Replacement Program (HRRP) for Hurricane Ian is a centralized housing rehabilitation, reconstruction or replacement program that prioritizes low-to-moderate income families with seniors aged 62 and older, children, and/or disabled household members impacted by Hurricane Ian: ianflstormrstg.wpenginepowered.com.

Past Evacuation Orders

Hurricane Helene in 2024:

• Sept. 24, 2024 - Evacuations Ordered

• Sept. 27, 2022 - Evacuations Ordered for Zone A-Red and Zone B-Orange
• Sept. 26, 2022 - Evacuations Ordered for Zone A-Red