Hurricane Milton

Sarasota County’s Resilient SRQ program has released its draft action plan for public review, outlining proposed uses for $210 million in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds. These funds will support long-term recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Individuals impacted by Hurricanes Helene or Milton may be eligible for financial assistance through the American Red Cross. The Red Cross is providing financial assistance to Floridians whose homes suffered major damage or were destroyed by the hurricanes and who still face obstacles in their recovery. Red Cross financial assistance is not a loan and does not need to be repaid.

A deadline is fast approaching to get money to pay for damages from hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Small Business Administration — SBA — is offering loans to businesses and people who had losses in the storms.

2024 had a series of weather extremes and once in a lifetime events. Here is a look back at the top weather events of 2024.

The Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda is moving forward and officials are hopeful that the facility's education center will soon be back open. They have removed buildings at the education center and will use temporary structures so they can bring the wildlife residents home and reopen. PRWC has resumed medical care at their hospital facility.

Damage from Hurricane Milton is driving down citrus production from what was already expected to be a historic low in the current growing season, according to a federal report released Tuesday.

The season, which ends Nov. 30, produced 18 named storms, including 11 turbocharged hurricanes along with Helene and Milton, which devastated the Tampa Bay area.

Federal agencies hope to replenish funds for disaster recovery, which will certainly affect Florida.

As the 2024 hurricane season comes to a close, tropically induced tornadoes lands a top spot among record breaking seasons.

SBA disaster loan applications for damage caused by Hurricane Helene need to be in by Nov. 27. Loans help fill the gap between what insurance and FEMA has paid and what people need to rebuild.