Residents

Hurricane Milton Information

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  • Building

  • What is the 50% rule? City of Punta Gorda - FEMA 50% Rule

  • Expedited Helene/Milton Application Hurr Helene Milton Permit App

  • Closures

    The Harborwalk, Gilchrist Park, Ponce Park, Laishley Park and all pavilions, gazebos, shelters, fishing piers and board walks are closed due to Hurricane damage. The Harborwalk in front of Gilchrist Park and sidewalks surrounding the perimeter of the park are open. Gilchrist Park remains closed as due to hazards in the park including boats. Boat removal is slated to begin on or around Dec. 1st. 

  • Hounds on Henry is closed due to Hurricane damage and will remain closed while the project to add additional parking, landscaping and improved ADA access to the facility is completed.

    Flood Cleanup Guidance

  • Hurricane Recovery

  • Residents affected by Hurricane Helene may be eligible for FEMA assistance. Fill out an application at https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual. 

  • People who's boat was their primary residence may be  eligible for FEMA assistance. Learn more DR-4834-FL FS 012 Applying for FEMA Assistance if Your Home Is a Boat

  • Help may be available if you lost a vehicle in the storm DR-4834-FL FS 014 Vehicle Repair or Replacement

  • The Mid-County Mini-Transfer & Recycling Facility, 19765 Kenilworth Blvd., Port Charlotte will be open 24 hours, seven days a week until further notice.

    The following restrictions apply at all mini-transfer stations and drop-off locations:
    • Proof of county residency is required. Residents need to bring a valid form of identification to include name, photo, and local address. Photo identification from other areas must be accompanied by a current utility bill or document showing proof of residency at a Charlotte County residential address. P.O. Box addresses are not accepted as proof of residency.
    • Trailers cannot exceed 12 feet in length.
    • Limitations on number of visits and amounts have been waived.
    • Just storm debris: no perishable waste, such as household garbage; no yard trimmings in bags.
    • Residential only — no business or commercial use.
    • Household hazardous waste will only be accepted between the hours of 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.Charlotte County businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Milton and are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits can apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Florida Commerce is accepting applications from eligible residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to Hurricane Milton are encouraged to submit a claim at FloridaJobs.org.

  • DUA is available to those who are ineligible to receive federal or state Reemployment Assistance benefits and the individual meets one of the following requirements:
    • Is unemployed as a direct result of the major disaster;
    • Was scheduled to start employment but was unable to as a direct result of the major disaster;
    • Is unable to reach their job or self-employment location because the individual has to travel through an affected area and is prevented from doing so as a direct result of the major disaster;
    • Has become the primary breadwinner because the head of the household died as a direct result of the major disaster; or
    • Is unable to work because of an injury that was a direct result of the major disaster.
    DUA is available for weeks of unemployment beginning October 6, 2024, through April 12, 2025, as long as the individual’s unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster in the designated disaster areas. The deadline to submit a claim for DUA benefits is no later than December 10, 2024.
    To file a claim, go to www.FloridaJobs.org and select “File a Claim”, visit a local CareerSource Career Center, or call 1-800-385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For DUA claims information, call 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759) to speak with a representative.

    Information

  • **Update 10/24/2024 Info Hubs are closed. They will be deployed again in future storms.** Charlotte County deployed an info hub at South County Regional Park. The info hub contains printed flyers of updated information on recovery efforts, relief programs, and resources available to assist residents and businesses impacted by the storm.

  • If you need help connecting with your loved ones after Hurricane Milton, the American Red Cross can assist you. The Reunification Plan tools can help if assistance is needed locating a missing friend or relative because of a current disaster. Call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and provide as much detail as you can to assist us in potentially locating your missing loved one. Alternatively, submit your information via online form at forms.juvare.com/ARC_HQ-Find-FL-Milton. A comprehensive list of post hurricane support is available at COAD Florida.

  • IRS

  • The Internal Revenue Service announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in parts of Florida that were affected by Hurricane Milton that began on Oct. 5, 2024. These taxpayers now have until May 1, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.. Learn more at https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-tax-relief-for-victims-of-milton-various-deadlines-postponed-to-may-1-2025-in-all-of-florida

  • Power

  • Visit http://www.fpl.com 

  • Returning Home After the Storm

  • Seasonal Residents

  • Safety

  • Currently, nearly all decorative streetlights in the downtown area and historic district, as well as lighting in Gilchrist Park and Laishley Park, are inoperable. Additionally, pathway lighting along the Harbor Walk and Linear Trail is also out of service. Officers will be heavily patrolling these areas during nighttime hours to enhance safety.

  • The Harborwalk, Gilchrist Park, Ponce Park and Hounds on Henry are closed until further notice. All fishing piers are closed.

  • Safety tips

  • Sanitation

  • The debris Hurricane Debris Hotline is up and running. The number is 833-843-8810 and the email address is Punta.Gordainquiries@tetratech.com. 

  • The city of Punta Gorda has launched an online storm debris removal dashboard to keep residents updated on cleanup efforts after Hurricane Milton. The dashboard provides real-time information on debris removal progress, including an interactive map showing cubic yardage for any selected location. The dashboard is available online at  emi.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/7ab53d77bf5c4830b0ff6f1bb8674163 

  • Garbage and recycling are on their normal schedule. The debris haulers are scheduled to start on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

  • sep storm debris

  • Tax Relief

  • There are provisions for taxes to be adjusted related to hurricane or other catastrophic damage. That is done through the Charlotte County Property Appraiser’s Office. They have a page set up to report such damage here: Charlotte County Property Appraiser - Report Damage from a Catastrophic Event


    If you need to contact them via phone for clarification, you can reach the Property Appraiser’s Office at (941)743-1498.



  • Volunteering

  • Charlotte County Volunteer Reception Center is open. To register and receive an assignment with a response agency in need of assistance, register at the VRC, located at the Family Services Center, 21500 Gibralter Drive, Port Charlotte. The VRC is open from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday (closed Sunday). To save a trip, call 941.370.2734 to register.