Tywon Heath’s Post

As people are recovering from the impact of Hurricane Helene and preparing for Milton, which is expected to be even worse, there is a lot of misinformation—and disinformation (deliberate lies)—out there about emergency response and disaster relief. FEMA has set up a hurricane rumor response website to counter misinformation and disinformation with facts. (How sad that this is necessary.) Here is the link: #disasterrelief #emergencyservices #FEMA #misinformation #disinformation #Helene #Milton #Florida #NorthCarolina #publicservice #publicpolicy

ONLY IN AMERICA Hurricane Rumor Response Help keep yourself, your family and your community safe by being aware of rumors and scams and sharing official information from trusted sources. Do your part to the stop the spread of rumors by doing three easy things: Find trusted sources of information. Share information from trusted sources. Discourage others from sharing information from unverified sources.

The lies being spread about the FEMA response to Hurricane Helene are rampant and they are hurting people already devastated by the storm. I am repeatedly saddened and angered by how swiftly some humans can turn a disaster into a tragedy. I have watched one political operative after another twist themselves into granny knots trying to pretend that their lies of commission and omission are merely calls for more aid. It reminds me of that commercial in which a wolf in a sheepskin slinks through a hospital muttering, “But I’m just the flu.” The situation is so fraught that FEMA has created a Hurricane Helene: Rumor Response page on their website. I implore anyone who even has the veriest glimmer of a wonder if they should believe the rumors to go here immediately and get their head on straight before they spread the BS further. Not only are the rumors causing people to fear making assistance claims, but FEMA workers are being threatened for trying to do the work the rumor mongers insist they’re not doing. This is not a political windfall or strategy to be gleefully employed to win an election that will not appreciably change the course of human history (the resolution is written; it's up to us how long and how painful is the way we get there). This is a humanitarian crisis that should unify us in common cause. That it’s being so abused is on the abusers. They know who they are. https://lnkd.in/gfPeeuzY

Hurricane #Beryl is a good reminder that the time to plan for hurricanes and other disasters is now. Protect yourself and your property physically and financially. Assess your risk, have a plan, prepare an emergency supply kit, review your #insurance, create a #homeinventory, establish an emergency fund, know where to evacuate, and know what to do if your home, business, vehicle or other property are damaged during a disaster. https://bit.ly/301fdGc ready.gov floodsmart.gov #disasterpreparedness #BeReady

Fellow Floridian Hurricane Survivors, In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the state of Florida has taken swift action to aid impacted businesses. Here’s what you need to know! The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) issued Emergency Order 2024-08 to streamline recovery efforts and remove barriers. Additionally, the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is offering $15 million in short-term loans to assist businesses with immediate financial needs. The SBA is also providing low-interest disaster loans for businesses, nonprofits, and residents. These programs are designed to ensure that businesses can recover quickly and effectively. Here are some useful links you can include in your post to help readers research more and apply for relief: 1. Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Emergency Orders DBPR Emergency Orders – Check for the latest emergency orders impacting businesses, including Emergency Order 2024-08. https://lnkd.in/dQ_upr7y 2. Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program Florida Bridge Loan Program – Details on applying for short-term loans for small businesses affected by disasters. https://lnkd.in/dd8Utyeb 3. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans SBA Disaster Loan Assistance – Information on low-interest loans available for businesses and nonprofits recovering from disasters. https://lnkd.in/dut_Q8Gp These resources can guide businesses on applying for relief and exploring financial recovery options. #HurricaneRelief #BusinessRecovery #FloridaBusiness #DisasterRecovery #SmallBusiness

As Hurricane Milton approaches, the FSBDC at FGCU wants to remind all of our local small businesses to prioritize safety above all else. In the event that the storm causes disruption or damage, know that we will be here to support you. We are ready to assist with SBA and Emergency Bridge Loan (EBL) applications, providing business continuation services to help you recover and rebuild in the aftermath of natural disasters. Whether it’s navigating the loan process or securing resources, we are here to help your business stay resilient and get back on its feet. Stay safe, stay prepared, and if the worst should come to pass, know that we're standing by to help. #HurricaneMilton #StaySafe #BusinessResilience #SmallBusinessSupport #DisasterRecovery #SBA #EBL #FSBDCatFGCU

HAS YOUR BUSINESS BEEN IMPACTED BY HURRICANE HELENE? ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE Complete the Business Damage Assessment Survey offered by FloridaCommerce. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite the storm recovery efforts by gathering and assessing the needs of affected businesses. https://lnkd.in/eSWcngGa REPORT YOUR BUSINESS DAMAGES. Complete the survey online at https://lnkd.in/eRP2sB4M and select the named storm from the dropdown menu. No need to know the exact dollar value of your costs, an estimate is fine. MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. Consultants from the Florida SBDC Network at Pinellas County can help your business recover from a disaster and provide information about emergency loan programs to help businesses recover quickly from a disaster. Call 727-453-7200 or email businesshelp@ pinellas.gov CONTACT CLEARWATER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.  We can assist in directing your business to the resources you need. 727-562-4030.   NEED TO REPORT DAMAGES? Report Damages to homes. infrastructure and other needs at: disaster.pinellas.gov

Sharing this list from Embarc Collective for Hurricane Support Resources: If you’d like the direct links to any of the below - please let me know (they were too long to add): ✅ Federal Disaster Assistance— links to recovery efforts continue in the areas affected by the Hurricanes. ✅ Florida Disaster Assistance—online application for FEMA disaster assistance for property damage and emergency needs. ✅ Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program—zero-interest loans to businesses affected by disasters until long-term funding arrives. ✅ SBA Disaster Assistance—low-interest disaster loans for businesses and homeowners. ♥️ If you know of additional support resources, please let me know so I can share to the parties I know who have been affected.

The recent Continuing Resolution, signed on September 30, lets FEMA have sufficient funding to address immediate response and recovery needs, including those impacted by Hurricane Helene. The decision to lift Immediate Needs Funding (INF) restrictions on October 1 allows FEMA to resume funding for longer-term recovery projects, enhancing community resilience across the nation. FEMA's Chief Financial Officer, Mary Comans, said "It was a tough decision to enter into INF. When the Disaster Relief Fund reaches a certain level, it's important to strike a careful balance between using resources for non-essential activities and preserving them for potential catastrophic events. Although the decision was challenging, I am grateful that the DRF's reserve was sufficient to respond to an event like Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton. This balance enabled FEMA to deploy thousands of federal personnel for hurricane response. Now that the INF restriction has been lifted, we can also resume funding those longer-term projects that will help us continue building a more resilient Nation." The Continuing Resolution gives FEMA access to $20 billion and will allow them to process obligations for nearly 3,000 previously paused projects. #EmergencyManagement #Resilience #DisasterRelief

FEMA INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE DEADLINE Homeowners and renters who sustained damages or losses from Hurricane Milton can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance. If you applied to FEMA after Hurricane Debby or Helene and have additional damage from Hurricane Milton, you will need to apply separately for Milton and provide the dates of your most recent damage. FEMA may be able to help residents with immediate serious needs, temporary lodging expenses and rental assistance. Residents can apply at DisasterAssistance.gov, using the FEMA app or at 1-800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages. If you use a video relay service, captioned telephone service, or other communication services, please provide FEMA the specific number assigned for that service. View more information. The deadlines to apply for FEMA assistance for Hurricane Milton is Dec. 11. For details & additional guidance, visit https://loom.ly/8wRhbXM