This week, I joined Governor Ron DeSantis, Sanibel Mayor Holly Smith and other community leaders as we crossed the newly reopened causeway to Sanibel Island.  I then joined Mayor Smith on a tour of the island. 

Many residents returning to Sanibel for the first time this week will find their homes completely destroyed by Hurricane Ian.  The devastation is almost indescribable. But Mayor Smith - and the residents of Sanibel - are bound and determined to rebuild stronger and better than ever. The resiliency of this community is phenomenal.

So many residents of our district have suffered destruction from Hurricane Ian. While the Category 4 storm leveled homes, shut down businesses and even took the lives of Floridians, it has not taken our spirit.  I am inspired by the neighbors working together to clean up and rebuild.  I am overwhelmed by the generosity of aid sent to our region.  Though it will take time, I know we will be stronger and better than ever. 

In this newsletter, please find resources available to help our you, your family and your business recover and rebuild. 

To guide Floridians looking for their next steps as they rebuild, FloridaStormRelief.com serves as a one-stop-shop to navigate assistance that is available.

This webpage highlights the resources available through the state’s public and private partners, as well as faith-based organizations. It includes a step-by-step checklist for Floridians recovering following Hurricane Ian, mental health resiliency resources and ways to help Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian.  This website also offers a list of resources available to help your business recover following the storm.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) issued last month, Emergency Order 300997-22-EO in response to Hurricane Ian regarding the extension of grace periods, limitations on cancellations and nonrenewals, deemers and limitations on “use and file” filings.  This Emergency Order is issued to protect the public health, safety and welfare of all Florida policyholders.

OIR is requiring daily catastrophe claims reporting for Hurricane Ian to assist with determining the impact of Hurricane Ian on Florida’s insurance industry. More information regarding catastrophe claims data and reporting is available here.

Floridians who have experienced loss or destruction due to flooding in Southwest Florida should report their loss immediately. Be sure to ask them about advance payments. If you need help finding your insurance agent or carrier, call the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) at 877-336-2627.

Below is a series of resources below to provide guidance in filing a claim, documenting the damage and preventing mold in your home.

The FEMA Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate has created the following brief video guide to the flood insurance claims process.  Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeaI973gFjo.

The Florida Department of Health and Florida Department of Children and Families have partnered with BetterHelp to offer three months of free mental health services via online therapy to those impacted by Hurricane Ian.

To access these free services, visit betterhelp.com/voucher and enter code: HurricaneIan. Visitors to BetterHelp’s site will be prompted to answer a questionnaire that will match those impacted residents with a licensed mental health professional.

As of October 15, the following roads remain closed. For additional county road closures visit the link below.

Charlotte County

• Bridge closed on Rotonda Boulevard in both directions at Rotonda Boulevard South

Lee County

• Bonita Beach Road at Simmons Lane – All lanes closed
• Captiva Drive from Palmflower Lane to Sanibel Captiva Road – Lane closed, both directions
• CR-865 at Broadway Channel – Lane closed, both directions
• CR-865 from Estrellita Drive to Cape Hickory Court – Lane closed, both directions
• CR-867 Southbound from Port Comfort Road to Punta Rassa Road – All lanes closed
• Estero Boulevard at Broadway Channel – Lane closed, both directions

Below is a list of important contact information for hurricane-related assistance.  You may consider printing this list and keeping it somewhere safe just in case. For additional emergency contacts, click here. 

Local Resources

• 24/7 Collier Information Hotline: (239) 252-8444 or 311
• Collier County Sherriff's Office: (239) 252-9300
• Lee County Sheriff's Office: (239) 477-1000
• Collier & Lee County Elder Helpline: (866)413-5337

State Resources

• State of Florida Emergency Info 24-hour Hotline: (800) 342-3557
• Safe & Wellness Helpline: (800) 733-2767
• Department of Children & Families Information: (866) 762-2237
• Elder Helpline: 800-963-5337
• Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline: (866) 966-7226
• Disaster Unemployment Services: (877) 872-5627
• Unemployment Compensation Claims: (800) 204-2418
• Florida Department of Financial Services Hurricane Helpline: (800) 277-8676
• Verify Repair Contractor's Licenses: (850) 487-1395
• Report Unlicensed Activity: (866) 532-1440

National Resources

• FEMA Disaster Assistance/Registration: (800) 621-3362 or TTY: (800) 427-5593
• U.S. Small Business Administration: (800) 659-2955 or TTY: (800) 877-8339
• FEMA Fraud Hotline: (800) 323-8603
• Red Cross Food, Shelter and Financial Assistance: (866) 438-4636
• Salvation Army Hurricane Relief Information: (888) 363-2769
• Crisis Cleanup Line (for debris removal services): (800)451-1954

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office any time that I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Kathleen C. Passidomo

Senate Rules Chair
State Senator, District 28

Not paid for at taxpayer expense.

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