This week, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the opening of the first Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian at the Lakes Regional Library located at 15290 Bass Road, Fort Myers, FL 33919.
This DRC location opened to provide services to Hurricane Ian survivors is operational from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. The DRC is collocated with more than 10 agencies to provide a one-stop shop for individuals or businesses that need help recovering from the storm.
The DRC is located at Lakes Regional Library, 15290 Bass Road, Fort Myers, FL 33919, and will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time. Additional DRCs are being established by FEMA and FDEM and will be announced in the coming days. Locations will be updated in real time at www.floridadisaster.org.
The Disaster Recovery Centers are collocated with Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis’ Initial Payment Centers. The purpose of the Initial Payment Center is for policyholders to meet directly with their insurance companies to file claims, and for the insurance company to issue checks to Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, insurance carriers will focus on the immediate needs of policy holders by providing resources for specific items including living expenses.
To help Floridians stay in touch with their loved ones and find additional support, Florida has also deployed mental health professionals who can offer counselling and support, as well as five SpaceX Starlinks to provide internet and cellular access.
Along with volunteer groups, representatives from the following state agencies, partners, and federal organizations currently on site and available to help survivors and provide individual and business assistance include:
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
Office of Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Florida Department of Children and Families
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Enterprise Florida, Inc.
Legal Services of North Florida
CareerSource Southwest Florida
CareerSource South Florida
CareerSource Pasco Hernando
Florida Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC)
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
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