YOUR VOICE MATTERS!  VOLUNTARY RESPONSES TO HURRICANE MICHAEL

April 10, 2020

Today is the last day for public comment on the State Action Plan for Hurricane Michael recovery funding. Submit comments to DEO until April 10, 2020 at 5:00p.m. EST

Comments may be submitted by email to [email protected] or by mail see address below.

 Sign up for news and updates about Rebuild Florida assistance for areas impacted by Hurricane Michael here.

On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane, causing catastrophic damage to communities in the Florida Panhandle.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is committed to helping Florida's communities recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Michael. DEO is the governor-designated state authority responsible for administering all U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) long-term recovery funds (CDBG-DR funding) awarded to the state. 

On January 27, HUD published the Federal Register that will guide the state of Florida in accessing more than $735 million for long-term recovery efforts for Hurricane Michael-impacted communities. The Department of Economic Opportunity is moving forward with every action possible to ensure the expeditious distribution of funding to affected communities.

This includes developing a federally required unmet needs assessment. The unmet needs assessment summarizes Hurricane Michael impacts and the remaining recovery needs across three sectors: (1) Housing, (2) the economy, and (3) infrastructure by gathering, analyzing and interpreting more than 20 state and federal government data sources.

In 2019, DEO created an online survey to generate feedback on unmet recovery needs and long-term recovery priorities of impacted communities. In order to incorporate this feedback into the initial draft of the State Action Plan, DEO closed out the survey on March 5, 2020.

March 2, 2020 - DBPR Hurricane Guide PDF download

February 3, 2020 - Nonprofit Security Grant Program:  $90 million in funding support to nonprofit organizations for security related activities.

October 9, 2019  - "Hurricane Michael Recovery Efforts" Area Study is released with some fascinating findings.  Read more. 

You are invited to participate in a survey of how organizations throughout the region voluntarily responded to Hurricane Michael with donated labor, supplies, services, and money. The survey is available at www.coss.fsu.edu/hurricanesurvey and is a collaboration between FSU and INIE. Results from the survey are intended to help the broader community with continued recovery efforts and to design future disaster response efforts. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the study’s lead investigator, David Berlan at [email protected] or 850-645-1914. Thank you for your assistance.

The Big Bend Region has suffered a tremendous loss due to Hurricane Michael on October 10th.  However, the providing relief and service is the heart of every nonprofit organization.  We are the leaders in helping our community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.   As a nonprofit organization, it can be difficult to communicate our needs as we are busy at serving others.  This page is dedicated to providing updates on the needs of nonprofits in our area with hopes that they can collaborate their efforts.  The INIE Team will maintain content on both this page and our Facebook page of requests and information that we receive to assist in the recovery efforts.  We are #TallyStrong!  

Please email the INIE team at [email protected] or call 850-201-9766 if you are seeking an opportunity to collaborate with another organization in the recovery efforts. 

FOUNDATION GRANT RESOURCES contact the INIE office at [email protected] or call 850-201-9766 or the below organizations. 

Community Foundation

Disaster Recover Catalog and Nonprofit Resources

Hurricane Michael Recovery Resources Portal https://fema.connectsolutions.com/dr4399fl/

FOR HOURLY AND ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Employment Solutions 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED at the following organizations/agencies:

Operation BBQ Relief - Call 913-745-9102 or text obr to 51555 to volunteer or text obr to 41444 to donate

EMERGENCY HOUSING 

Homeless Shelters and Supportive Services

Housing Locator Service

Apartments Available - furnished apartments; application and service fees are waived

SPECIAL REQUESTS or OFFERS

Nonprofit Needs - join Needslist for Nonprofits - free national service to secure support from across the globe.

Operation BBQ Relief - needs a refrigerated 18-wheeler 

2-1-1 Big Bend - raising funds to purchase generator

FAAST - warehouse with loading dock for receipt of wheelchairs

MARCH OF DIMES -  "Bundles of Love" collection of diapers, wipes, baby food and baby formula; looking for partners to distribute and provide to surrounding communities.  Call (850) 727-9461 or email [email protected]

First Responders and Family Relief - Many of these first responders left their homes and families indefinitely. Some have no homes to return to and they, along with their families, are displaced in temporary housing while they continue to serve their communities. In cities such as Mexico Beach, Panama City, Lynn Haven, Marianna and Blountstown, our fellow first responder families are in need of basic hygiene and clothing items. 

Convoy of Hope is in Marianna with semi loads of food, medical, and household goods.  Any non profit can contact the area representative, Mona, at 937-901-8300 for supplies.

Better Living Solutions is accepting donations for gas, gas cans, air mattresses, pillows, blankets and camping tents.   1202 East Park Avenue, Tallahassee, FL  32301 or call 850-765-6769.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND DONATION SITES provided by the Tallahassee Democrat