Last Day to Apply for FEMA Assistance After Hurricanes Helene and Milton

Residents in the Tampa Bay area affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton have until today to apply for FEMA assistance before the locations offering help close for good. The deadline to apply is 6 PM at three locations in Hillsborough County.

Two Multi-agency Resource Centers are located at the Candy boat ramp and the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, while the third location is a Disaster Recovery Center. Additional Disaster Recovery Centers are available in various cities across the Tampa Bay area.

These centers provide residents with assistance in applying for FEMA aid, updating applications, and learning about disaster loans and other resources. Residents can also apply online, through the FEMA app, or by phone.

According to FEMA, $1.25 billion has been submitted for individual assistance in Florida, with a significant amount of money already paid for debris removal. A FEMA spokesperson mentioned that $360 million has been paid for the removal of 40 million cubic yards of debris.

If residents disagree with FEMA’s decision regarding their application, they have 60 days from the date of the decision letter to appeal. It is crucial for those in need of assistance to take advantage of the resources available before the deadline passes.

In other news, school bus cameras in Florida have captured thousands of drivers ignoring stop signs. An investigation found that one county is not allowing drivers to challenge violations in court, raising concerns about the fairness of the program.