FEMA Opens Disaster Recovery Center in Punta Gorda to Aid Hurricane Milton Survivors
PUNTA GORDA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the South County Regional Park Recreation Center, located at 670 Cooper St., Punta Gorda, according to Charlotte County officials. The DRC will operate daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., offering critical support to those impacted by Hurricane Milton.
The center provides a range of services, including information from Florida state agencies, FEMA, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Residents can receive assistance with applying for federal disaster aid, disaster loans, and updating existing applications. Survivors can also explore additional recovery resources available to help them get back on their feet.
Those affected by the hurricane can apply for assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, which operates from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Support is available in multiple languages to ensure widespread accessibility.
For local recovery information, residents can contact the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Further updates and resources are also available on the county’s storm information page at CharlotteCountyFL.gov/storm.
This initiative comes as part of ongoing efforts to help Southwest Florida rebuild and recover in the wake of Hurricane Milton’s devastation.