Disaster relief

The Collaboratory in Fort Myers is receiving about $19.3 million to better prepare for future disasters, like Hurricane Ian. Much of the money from the Environmental Protection Agency will pay for four hubs to keep supplies and resources for victims of future disasters.

A Mobile Disaster Recovery Center will stop in Charlotte County Friday, Nov. 10, 1 p.m. to5 p.m. then Saturday, Nov. 11 through Monday, Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In the weeks after Hurricane Ian a year ago, Florida deployed the first-ever State Emergency Response Mental Health Task Force. It was comprised of mental health professionals including therapists, counselors, and massage therapists who worked directly with residents and first responders who were still in the midst of recovery. Now, almost exactly one year post-Ian, the Task Force has been deployed a second time to help people in the panhandle who were impacted by Hurricane Idalia.

With Hurricane Ian almost a year behind us, Southwest Florida is just beginning to regain its economic footing. Many people are still enduring both insurance and financial struggles. It was recently reported that only 18% of Hurricane Ian Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) business applications have been approved by the Small Business Administration so far. Karen Moore, publisher of Southwest Florida Business Today, spoke with Tauheedah Mateen with the SBA Office of Disaster Assistance to learn about the next steps.

Farmers in much of state grants restore land before Hurricane Ian USDA extended deadline September 25 $500,000 remove debris, repair fences, regrade land torn

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday announced the expansion of a pilot program for single-family home-repair loans and grants in communities hit by disasters such as Hurricane Ian and Nicole last year.

A FEMA-funded program, managed by Volunteer Florida, provides case managers that work directly with disaster survivors to identify their unmet recovery needs, develop a goal-oriented recovery plan, and match them with resources to help them achieve their long-term recovery.

Disaster Recovery Centers on Pine Island and Fort Myers Beach are making operational adjustments.

Karen P. Moore is the Founder/Owner/Publisher, SWFL Business Today. Today, she shares her personal experience in applying for disaster recovery assistance after Hurricane Ian.

Florida’s emergency-management director wants lawmakers to make changes to help with disaster preparation and response, pointing to issues that have arisen as the state recovers from Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole.