Hurricane Recovery Resource Center

FEMA disaster assistance

When a hurricane receives a Major Disaster Declaration that includes Individual Assistance for Escambia or Santa Rosa County, residents can apply to FEMA for help with:

• Temporary housing (rental assistance or hotel lodging) when your home is unlivable
• Basic home repairs not covered by insurance
• Other needs: medical, dental, child care, funeral, essential household items, vehicles and moving costs

How to apply: at DisasterAssistance.gov, the FEMA App, or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Have your insurance information, Social Security number, address of the damaged home, and bank details ready. File your insurance claim first — FEMA cannot pay for losses insurance already covers, but it can help with what insurance does not. If FEMA denies or underpays, you can appeal within 60 days of the decision letter.

After major declarations, FEMA and the county typically open Disaster Recovery Centers in the area where you can apply in person and talk to FEMA, SBA and state agencies.

SBA disaster loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and renters, not just businesses: up to set limits for home repair and for personal property. Businesses and nonprofits can borrow for physical damage and economic injury. Apply at sba.gov/disaster.

Debris removal

• Separate debris at the curb into piles: vegetation, construction/demolition (drywall, carpet, lumber, roofing), appliances (white goods), electronics and household hazardous waste.
• Place piles at the edge of your property in the right-of-way — not on sidewalks, near fire hydrants, mailboxes, or under power lines.
• Escambia County, Santa Rosa County and the City of Pensacola announce pickup schedules after each storm; gated communities and private roads may need special approval.
• Remove food from refrigerators before putting them out.

Hiring contractors — and avoiding fraud

Out-of-town “storm chasers” arrive within days of every Pensacola hurricane. Protect yourself:

• Verify every contractor's license at MyFloridaLicense.com (Florida DBPR). Roofing, general and building contractors must hold a state certification or local registration.
• Make sure the work is permitted with Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, the City of Pensacola or the City of Gulf Breeze as appropriate.
• Get written estimates, never pay in full up front, and do not sign anything that assigns your insurance benefits or lets a contractor negotiate your claim.
• Florida law limits the down payment a contractor can take before starting work and lets you cancel certain storm-repair contracts within a short window — ask for your cancellation rights in writing.
• Report price gouging during a declared emergency to the Florida Attorney General's hotline: 1-866-966-7226.

Safe cleanup

• Wear gloves, boots and an N95 mask when removing wet drywall and insulation — mold starts within 24–48 hours.
• Run generators outdoors, 20+ feet from openings. Use a battery CO alarm inside.
• Check ECUA and city water notices; boil water if a boil-water notice is in effect.
• Chainsaw injuries spike after storms — hire professionals for large trees, especially those touching lines.

Temporary housing and other help

• 2-1-1 (United Way of West Florida) connects residents with food, shelter, utility help and volunteer cleanup crews.
• American Red Cross of Northwest Florida operates shelters and emergency assistance.
• Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) may be activated by the state after major storms for eligible households.
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to people who lose work because of a declared disaster and are not eligible for regular unemployment.