Storm & Recovery

• Englewood Beach parking lot southern entrance reopened April 2. Pedestrians have access, but parking spaces are limited. Charlotte County Transit shuttle service available from Tringali Park 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday – Saturday.
• Kevitt Boulevard between N. Access Road and Grouse Avenue in Port Charlotte is closed to public traffic while it is being used as a disaster debris management site.
• South Gulf Cove Lock open with manned operation from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Some Community Services facilities, parks, and amenities remain closed
• Chadwick Park and some areas of Port Charlotte Beach Park remain closed until further notice
• ShorePoint Punta Gorda hospital remains closed until further notice

FEMA Individual & Business Assistance for Hurricane Helene & Milton

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

Floridians can appeal FEMA’s decision - If you applied for FEMA assistance, you will receive a decision letter in the mail or via email. If you disagree with the decision about your eligibility, you can appeal within 60 days from the date on that letter: How to Appeal | How to Appeal (Spanish)

Disaster Assistance through COAD

• Displaced homeowners and renters
• Low income according to HUD standards (80% of the area median income), e.g., up to $45,050 for a one-person household or $51,540 for a two-person household
• Head of household aged 60+ home to individuals with disabling conditions

If you have unmet needs from recent hurricanes, visit www.coadfl.org and click the Get Started button.

SBA Disaster Loans for Hurricanes Helene and Milton

Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations who suffered damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton are eligible to apply for Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans. The deadline to apply for Physical Damage was April 27, 2025. The deadline to apply for SBA Economic Injury from Helene is June 30, 2025 and for Milton is July 11, 2025. Apply online at lending.sba.gov

If you need assistance with applications:

• Visit the MySBA Portal: lending.sba.gov
• Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
• Phone: 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 7-1-1)
• Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC): floridasbdc.org

Goodwill Community Resource Center

The Goodwill Community Resource Center in Port Charlotte have experienced staff who can help residents apply for FEMA and SBA assistance. The Goodwill Community Resource Center is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday – Friday and is located inside the Peachland Plaza Goodwill store, 24123 Peachland Blvd, Unit B1, Port Charlotte. Additional services include disaster unemployment technical assistance, job search assistance and internet and website portal navigation. Phone:  941.255.3884.

Elevate Florida Application Portal

Florida Division of Emergency Management has launched Elevate Florida, a statewide residential mitigation program, aimed at enhancing community resilience by protecting private residences from natural hazards. Application deadline was 7 p.m. on April 11, 2025.

Damage and Cleanup Assistance

• FloridaDisaster.biz
• Cleanup Assistance with Samaritan’s Purse - assisting homeowners who were affected by Hurricane Milton. This is a free service. Call 833.747.1234 to speak with a Samaritan’s Purse representative.

FloridaCommerce assistance: Visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL or call 833.832.4494 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – 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

Housing Repairs and Recovery Assistance Portal: The Disaster Case Management Program works with Long Term Recovery Groups to collaborate with national, state and local government and disaster relief organizations to provide resources to disaster survivors: volunteerflorida.org/dcmp-providers.

Legal Services: Florida Rural Legal Services provides free legal services to vulnerable and low-income clients within 13 counties in Florida and farmworkers throughout Florida. They may be able to help if you are experiencing legal challenges from Hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton. They are a not-for-profit organization and services include assistance with insurance claims, proof of ownership, property disputes, disaster benefits, and legal papers lost in the storm. Call 1.888.582.3410 or visit frls.org.

Insurance Help: The Florida Division of Consumer Services assists insurance consumers in the aftermath of a disaster. Visit myfloridacfo.com/division/consumers/storm/resources or call the insurance consumer helpline: 1.877.693.5236, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Strengthen your Home: The My Safe Florida Home program helps with strengthening your home which also helps to reduce the cost of home insurance premiums. Visit mysafeflhome.com or call 1.866.513.6734.

Help for Food and Beverage Workers: The Southern Smoke Foundation offers financial assistance for food and beverage workers. Apply online: southernsmoke.org/emergency-relief

Pop-up Permitting Site

• Monday: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday to Friday: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Last customer served at 3:30 p.m.

What Doesn't 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 Assessment Placards

Community Development will be conducting damage assessments and placing placards to advise on property damage assessment results. These placards notify owners when a permit is needed for repairs or reconstruction, even if a contractor says otherwise. Placards may be in different colors, but they all convey the same message: a permit may or may not be required. If you're unsure, please contact Community Development at 941.743.1201 or BuildingConstruction@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.

Repairing Damage After Hurricanes: Understanding FEMA’s 50% Rule

Charlotte County Community Development urges homeowners to be aware of FEMA’s 50% Rule when assessing and planning repairs to their damaged properties. This rule helps homeowners decide how to move forward with repairs and stay within local and federal guidelines.

Steps to follow:

1. Before starting any repairs, make sure you obtain a full estimate of how much it will cost to fix the damage to your home.
2. You need to know your home’s current market value (excluding land value). If you have had a private appraisal within the past 12 months, that assessment can be used. If not, contact the Charlotte County Property Appraiser at 941.743.1498 to find out the building’s value.
3. Once you have both your repair estimate and your home’s market value, determine whether the cost to repair is less than 50% of your home’s market value.
   • If the cost is less than 50%, you can hire a contractor or pull permits to start repairs.
   • If the cost is more than 50%, call Charlotte County Community Development to discuss your repair options.
   • All permits that are related to a single event (hurricane, fire, flood) are counted together toward the 50% threshold, whether the permits are open or closed. Contact Community Development if this applies to you.

For more information, call Community Development at 941.743.1201. Every homeowner’s situation is different, so it is important to get help that applies to your specific case.

Safety tips

• Flooding Safety | 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. 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.

RV/Camper Location Registration

• Debris contractor is in its final pass of collection for Hurricane Milton debris. Debris had to be placed in right of way by Jan. 2.
• The Mid-County and West Charlotte Mini-Transfer and Recycling Facilities are open 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Debris Separation Guide Debris Separation Guide-Spanish
Storm Debris Removal Dashboard

Waterway Debris Removal

State contractors are currently removing debris from navigable waterways in Charlotte County. To report debris in canals or local waterways, please contact the Florida Division of Emergency Management: submit a report online at FloridaDebrisCleanup.com or call 850.366.6007 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Charlotte County Volunteer Reception Center - call 941.370.2734 to register.

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

Helene & Milton Damages Report

Damages Report

Ian

Hurricane Ian Long Term Recovery Plan Public Works Ian Projects

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

• Apply online at 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 no longer accepting applications. Check on a submitted applications online: ianflstormrstg.wpenginepowered.com.

Past Evacuation Orders

• Oct. 7, 2024 - Evacuations Red-A and Orange-B
• Oct. 8, 2024 - Evacuations Red-A and Orange-B and Yellow-C

• Sept. 24, 2024 - Evacuations Ordered

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