Local
Typography

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The followinginformation compiled by UF/IFAS includes Hurricane Idalia Recovery and Response Resources sections on:

  1. Volunteer & assistance resources
  2. Marine & business stakeholder information
  3. Spotting scams and reporting fraud
  4. Beaches and water quality
  5. Displaced/derelict vessels
  6. Navigational hazards
  7. Mold and flood damage & safety
  8. Helpful apps
  9. Mental health assistance
  10. Other notifications

Volunteer and Assistance resources

Marine & Business Stakeholder information

  • Report Agriculture & Aquaculture impacts: UF/IFAS researchers are studying the agricultural losses and damages resulting from Hurricane Idalia. Click on the link below to share information about impacts experienced at your farm, ranch, or aquaculture operation. https://go.ufl.edu/idaliaagimpacts
  • Emergency Loan Programs for Small Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Idalia – coming soon

Beaches/Water Quality

  • Water and wounds. Nutrient rich water and wounds do not mix. Do not enter coastal waters if you have fresh cuts or scrapes.
    • UF EDIS Documents regarding Vibrio with water use/seafood safety
  • Red tide. Although hurricanes don’t cause red tide, elevated nutrients from post storm activities can trigger algal blooms including red tide if present in background concentrations and come in presence its fuel. Check red tide statuses here https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/

Spotting Scams, Reporting Fraud & Price Gouging

Displaced/Derelict Vessels and Marine Debris

  • FWC Directive For Vessels in Florida Waters/State Owned Land – more coming soon
    • Report storm damaged boats that might be lost or abandoned to your local law enforcement agency (preferred) or the FWC Division of Law Enforcement at 888-404-3922.
    • Callers should be prepared to provide the vessel’s registration number, current location and detailed description.
    • Vessel owners are encouraged to hire a salvage company to recover their vessel to provide the safest method possible for the vessel and the environment. The removal of displaced vessels can hasten the recovery and overall resilience of native marine plants and animals.
    • Owners of vessels that have become derelict have 45 days from the day the hurricane passed over the state to either remove their boats from waters of the state or bring it into a non-derelict condition. It’s important for boat owners to know that they have options regarding the future of their vessel.
    • Owners of displaced vessels who lack the resources to have their boat repaired, or if their vessel is determined to be beyond repair, may release ownership of their vessel. This process can be initiated by contacting the FWC and requesting to turn over a displaced vessel. An FWC representative will then contact the owner to explain the waiver process and facilitate the potential turnover of ownership.
  • Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) directive for reporting of vessel or other titled property and debris on uplands and marine debris – coming soon
  • Debris cleanup hotline: The public can report vessels that are displaced on public or private property using the Debris Cleanup Hotline [number coming soon]. The public can also report storm debris that has been pushed on land or is in the water.  When reporting a vessel, callers should be prepared to provide the vessel’s registration number, current location and detailed description of the vessel.  When reporting debris, callers should be prepared to provide a detailed description of the type of debris and its approximate size, and a current location with GPS coordinated being preferred.

Navigational Hazards

  • FWC reminds boaters: Use caution after Hurricanes
  • Or report debris using FWC Survey123 portal – coming soon

Mold/Flood damage & Safety

Mortgage Forbearance

  • If you cannot pay bills, contact lenders as soon as possible and ask for disaster recovery assistance. The lender may agree to temporarily change the loan terms.
  • Allows borrower to pause or lower mortgage payments
  • Must be granted by the lender.
  • Typically, won’t be charged late fees.
  • Repay missed payments, either in lump sum or with repayment plan
  • Find out details from the lender

Helpful Apps

Mental health assistance

Other notifications

  • The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has FLHSMV has issued Emergency Order 082623, available at: flhsmv-eo-082623-invest-93l.pdf
    • waives specific requirements for commercial motor vehicles providing emergency relief;
    • waive the hours-of-service requirements for such vehicles; and
    • waives the replacement fees for driver’s license and identification credentials, vehicle registrations and titles, vessel registrations and titles, and temporary parking permits for impacted individuals.

This page will be updated with new links as they become available, check back often for new information,

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The followinginformation compiled by UF/IFAS includes Hurricane Idalia Recovery and Response Resources sections on:

  1. Volunteer & assistance resources
  2. Marine & business stakeholder information
  3. Spotting scams and reporting fraud
  4. Beaches and water quality
  5. Displaced/derelict vessels
  6. Navigational hazards
  7. Mold and flood damage & safety
  8. Helpful apps
  9. Mental health assistance
  10. Other notifications

Volunteer and Assistance resources

Marine & Business Stakeholder information

  • Report Agriculture & Aquaculture impacts: UF/IFAS researchers are studying the agricultural losses and damages resulting from Hurricane Idalia. Click on the link below to share information about impacts experienced at your farm, ranch, or aquaculture operation. https://go.ufl.edu/idaliaagimpacts
  • Emergency Loan Programs for Small Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Idalia – coming soon

Beaches/Water Quality

  • Water and wounds. Nutrient rich water and wounds do not mix. Do not enter coastal waters if you have fresh cuts or scrapes.
    • UF EDIS Documents regarding Vibrio with water use/seafood safety
  • Red tide. Although hurricanes don’t cause red tide, elevated nutrients from post storm activities can trigger algal blooms including red tide if present in background concentrations and come in presence its fuel. Check red tide statuses here https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/

Spotting Scams, Reporting Fraud & Price Gouging

  • Spotting scams: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2022/09/30/spotting-scams-after-the-storm/
  • Avoid and report fraud: Remember, FEMA will never ask you for money to provide disaster assistance.
    • Recognize fraud: 
      • FEMA employees will always have an official ID 
      • Don’t trust anyone who offers financial help & asks for money or personal info
      • Always talk with someone you trust
    • Ways to Report Fraud to FEMA
      • Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
      • Call:  1-866-223-0814, Fax: 202-212-4926
    • For more information visit fema.gov/disaster-fraud
  • Report Price Gouging in Florida: Call: 1-866-966-7226

Displaced/Derelict Vessels and Marine Debris

  • FWC Directive For Vessels in Florida Waters/State Owned Land – more coming soon
    • Report storm damaged boats that might be lost or abandoned to your local law enforcement agency (preferred) or the FWC Division of Law Enforcement at 888-404-3922.
    • Callers should be prepared to provide the vessel’s registration number, current location and detailed description.
    • Vessel owners are encouraged to hire a salvage company to recover their vessel to provide the safest method possible for the vessel and the environment. The removal of displaced vessels can hasten the recovery and overall resilience of native marine plants and animals.
    • Owners of vessels that have become derelict have 45 days from the day the hurricane passed over the state to either remove their boats from waters of the state or bring it into a non-derelict condition. It’s important for boat owners to know that they have options regarding the future of their vessel.
    • Owners of displaced vessels who lack the resources to have their boat repaired, or if their vessel is determined to be beyond repair, may release ownership of their vessel. This process can be initiated by contacting the FWC and requesting to turn over a displaced vessel. An FWC representative will then contact the owner to explain the waiver process and facilitate the potential turnover of ownership.
  • Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) directive for reporting of vessel or other titled property and debris on uplands and marine debris – coming soon
  • Debris cleanup hotline: The public can report vessels that are displaced on public or private property using the Debris Cleanup Hotline [number coming soon]. The public can also report storm debris that has been pushed on land or is in the water.  When reporting a vessel, callers should be prepared to provide the vessel’s registration number, current location and detailed description of the vessel.  When reporting debris, callers should be prepared to provide a detailed description of the type of debris and its approximate size, and a current location with GPS coordinated being preferred.

Navigational Hazards

  • FWC reminds boaters: Use caution after Hurricanes
  • Or report debris using FWC Survey123 portal – coming soon

Mold/Flood damage & Safety

Mortgage Forbearance

  • If you cannot pay bills, contact lenders as soon as possible and ask for disaster recovery assistance. The lender may agree to temporarily change the loan terms.
  • Allows borrower to pause or lower mortgage payments
  • Must be granted by the lender.
  • Typically, won’t be charged late fees.
  • Repay missed payments, either in lump sum or with repayment plan
  • Find out details from the lender

Helpful Apps

Mental health assistance

Other notifications

  • The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has FLHSMV has issued Emergency Order 082623, available at: flhsmv-eo-082623-invest-93l.pdf
    • waives specific requirements for commercial motor vehicles providing emergency relief;
    • waive the hours-of-service requirements for such vehicles; and
    • waives the replacement fees for driver’s license and identification credentials, vehicle registrations and titles, vessel registrations and titles, and temporary parking permits for impacted individuals.

This page will be updated with new links as they become available, check back often for new information,

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com