Déjà vu All Over Again

Hurricane Milton: How to help and where to find support


In an industry that relies on Mother Nature to share our passion and feed our families, it hurts that much more when it's Mother Nature that puts our industry flat on its back.

The intensity, severity, and frequency of the hurricanes hitting the Southeast this year are truly unfathomable. Unfortunately, what currently feels unreal is starting to become reality. Hurricane Milton dumped so much rain over parts of Florida’s Tampa Bay area that it qualified as a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event. Our industry, already strained, faces even more challenges.

While today marks the start of rescue and recovery for the state of Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, we are still only weeks away from learning of the devastation caused by Helene. AFFTA is committed to doing more than sending our condolences to those affected, but as we continue to build and add resources, we want to start there.

After the chaos of a hurricane, the cleanup and recovery process can feel overwhelming. Beyond ensuring safety and securing your property, managing your insurance claim effectively is essential to getting your life back on track. Our partners at the Cross Current Insurance Group have compiled a comprehensive checklist to help guide you through the steps after a hurricane, ensuring you protect yourself, document your losses, and navigate the claims process smoothly.

In the face of such overwhelming destruction, there are numerous ways to get involved and help the affected communities.

AFFTA has started a resource page here and is committed to adding to that list as the industry continues through the years-long process of returning to normal.

Whether you have time to volunteer, financial resources to donate, or need assistance yourself, here are some essential resources to connect with:

National Services

American Red Cross

Salvation Army

FEMA

Small Business Loans

Mental Health Hotline

Florida Resources

Business Damage Assessment Survey Florida

Resources Regarding Unemployment Assistance Florida

Additional Resources

Florida Food Bank



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