Individual Assistance

In the aftermath of a disaster, it is our goal to help individuals and families return to normal and to facilitate the recovery of the City. In coordination with local, State, and Federal partners, as well as non-governmental organizations and private industries, we work to ensure that all available resources for individuals and families are provided in a timely and efficient manner.

In small disasters that do not receive a Federal Disaster Declaration, we work with county officials and non-profit organizations to coordinate goods and services for affected individuals and families. In major disasters which receive a Federal Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance, we work in collaboration with our partners at all levels of government to coordinate response.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - This is the Federal agency primarily tasked with assisting in disaster.

Housing Assistance: Those who are displaced from their primary residence and are uninsured or under-insured may be eligible for assistance. This assistance includes temporary housing, housing repair, housing replacement, and in rare instances permanent and semi-permanent housing.

Special Needs Assistance: This may be used for medical, dental, and funeral expenses caused by the disaster. Personal property, transportation, and moving and storage assistance may also be eligible after submitting a SBA loan application. This assistance is a cost share between FEMA and the State.

Crisis Counselling: A wide range of services are available to assist individuals and communities in recovering from disasters.

Small Business Administration (SBA) - In federally declared disasters, as well as in non-federally declared disasters that meet certain thresholds, the SBA can provide loans to individuals and businesses that have sustained disaster-related property or equipment damage, who have suffered a loss of income, or who need additional funding to cover operating expenses while working to reopen.

Emergency Planning for Business & Industry

It’s important for businesses to plan and prepare for a hurricane or any emergency that could affect normal operations and employees. A large-scale disaster anywhere in the state could disrupt normal operations for any business, which is why it is important for every business to have continuity and safety plans in place prior to a major incident.

Business owners should develop a recovery plan for their business by taking the following precautions:

• Include emergency preparedness information in company newsletters, company intranet, employee emails or other company communication tools.
• Consider a telephone calling tree or a voice recording to communicate with employees during an emergency.
• Designate an out-of-town number where employees can leave an, “I’m okay” message during a catastrophic disaster.
• If you have employees with disabilities or functional needs, talk with them about what their needs may be during a disaster.
• Plan for payroll continuity.
• Review and practice what you and your employees intend to do during and after an emergency.
• Establish facility shutdown procedures.
• Establish warning and evacuation procedures.
• Make plans for assisting employees who may need transportation.
• Make plans for communicating with employees' families before and after a hurricane.
• Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio with a warning alarm tone and battery backup.
• Survey your facility. Make plans to protect outside equipment and structures.
• Check if your phone system will work without electricity. If not, have at least one phone line that can operate without electricity.
• Make plans to protect windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection. Covering windows with plywood is a second option.
• Consider the need for backup systems such as portable pumps to remove floodwater and generators to provide emergency power.
• Prepare to move records, computers and other items within your facility or to another location.
• Consider how to recover any digital data if there is a significant power outage or if computers and servers are damaged. Keep tax and payroll records, records of inventory and essential information at an alternate site.
• Establish an alternate operating location and back-up suppliers.
• Maintain three to five days of inventory. If a disaster occurs, the loss isn’t as great.