The Charlotte County Emergency Management Office is working through response and recovery from storms, maintaining communication with local, state, and federal agencies.
Follow Charlotte County Emergency Management on this website and social media for updates:
Hurricane Helene Updates
- Charlotte County One-Stop Business Resource Site for small business owners
- Open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Oct. 2-4 at CareerSource SWFL, 3745 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte
- Help with Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans, Disaster Unemployment Assistance and more
- Comfort Station with free showers and laundry – 8 a.m.-7 p.m. at Harold Avenue Regional Park, 23400 Harold Ave. in Port Charlotte (bring your own supplies)
- Distribution Center Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (tarps and water while supplies last)
- Macy’s parking lot at Port Charlotte Town Center Mall
- Text the word CHARCOCARES to 888-777 to receive text updates on recovery resources
- Private Well Testing kits available at Department of Health, 1100 Loveland Blvd., Port Charlotte, while supplies last
FEMA
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- On the FEMA mobile app
- Call 800.621.3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST
County Services
- Charlotte County Transfer facilities open 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m. starting Monday, Sept. 30 through Saturday, Oct. 5
- Charlotte County Transit Resumed Normal Operations
- Charlotte County Transit Offers Rides to and from Distribution Centers
- South Gulf Cove Lock Operational
- County Offices and facilities reopened Monday Sept. 30
- Some recreation centers and pools have reopened
- Public Works Clearing Don Pedro Island Roads
- Harold Ave. Shelter Open | Shelter Listing Info
- Lyft offers rides to Harold Ave. Shelter – use code HELENERELIEF24 for 2 rides up to $25 each (for 1,500 rides from now until 11:59 p.m. on Oct.4)
Storm Debris & Solid Waste
- Sand Drop-off Site – now open at the north end of the parking area in Englewood Beach at Chadwick Park, 2100 N. Beach Road in Englewood. The site is open from dawn to dusk. Homeowners and contractors can drop off the sand from flood-deposited cleanups for free at the drop-off site.
- Road Conditions at County Landfill – 4WD or AWD car may be required
- Guidelines for Storm Debris Separation and placement in county-maintained roads – It is the property owners’ responsibility to bring the debris to the curb and properly separate it into these categories and place the piles in county-maintained right-of-way, off the road and not on private property: construction and demolition materials, electronic waste (e-waste), household hazardous waste, white goods, vegetation, regular household garbage.
Debris Separation Guide | Debris Separation Guide-Spanish
Permits and Inspections
- Community Development Inspections to resume Oct. 2
- Permits are Required in Charlotte County for Storm Damage Repairs
- Work that can be Completed Without a Permit – To streamline the rebuilding process and prevent delays, follow these guidelines on work that does not require a permit:
- Removal of debris from on or inside a structure.
- Minor demolition to prevent injury or prevent further damage to buildings. This includes removal of drywall that has been affected by flood water.
- Structural shoring and bracing.
- Repair of minor water leaks that do not involve structural, mechanical, or electrical systems.
- Previously permitted fences destroyed by the storm may be re-installed, like for like, in the exact same location, except for fences used as a pool enclosure. Pool enclosure fence replacements must be reviewed for compliance with pool safety requirements.
- If you are unsure whether your project requires a permit, or if additional information is needed, visit Permits or contact Community Development at 941.743.1201 or [email protected].
- Unlicensed Contracting During an Emergency is a Felony
Damage Assistance
- Report Storm Damage to Charlotte County
- Business Damage Assessment Survey – FloridaDisaster.biz
- Cleanup Assistance by Crisis Cleanup: call 844-965-1386, deadline Oct. 11
Safety tips
- Contractor Storm Preparations | Flooding Safety | Prevent Electrical Hazards if House Flooded | Electric Vehicle Safety | Generator Safety | Impacts to Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems After a Flood | Food Safety After a Power Outage | Lithium Battery Safety
Temporary Recreational Vehicles and Mobile Homes Allowed
Residents whose homes have been damaged and rendered uninhabitable from Hurricane Helene can temporarily live in RVs and mobile homes on their property until Sept. 23, 2027. Only occupants of the damaged home may do so.
RV/Camper Location Registration
To obtain a permit to set a temporary mobile home, visit the Community Development Department at 18400 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, to fill out necessary paperwork and provide plans. Questions about RV registration: 941.743.1201.
Relief & Recovery Resources
Get Help
- For life-threatening emergencies, call or text 9-1-1.
- Sheriff non-emergencies can call 941.833.4161.
- Call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Call Center for response and recovery information, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 941.743.1320 or 941.833.4000.
- Call Charlotte County Solid Waste for garbage and recycling information at 941.764.4360.
- Call Charlotte County Utilities for water and sewer information at 941.764.4300.
Recovery Resources
FloridaCommerce: Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program available for local businesses affected by Hurricane Helene until Nov. 24, 2024 or until funds exhausted. Visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL or call 833-832-4494 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Disaster Assistance Program for Low-Income Households
The State Housing Initiatives Partnership Disaster Assistance program provides assistance to low-income households following a disaster.
State Price Gouging Hotline: 1-866-966-7226. Florida’s price gouging law applies to items and services essential to getting ready for or recovering from a storm within the areas of a declared state of emergency. Visit MyFloridaLegal.com
Housing Repairs and Recovery Assistance Portal: The Disaster Case Management Program works with Long Term Recovery Groups to collaborate with national, state and local government and disaster relief organizations to provide resources to disaster survivors: volunteerflorida.org/dcmp-providers.
Legal Services: Florida Rural Legal Services provides free legal services to vulnerable and low-income clients within 13 counties in Florida and farmworkers throughout Florida. They may be able to help if you are experiencing legal challenges from Hurricane Ian. They are a not-for-profit organization and services include assistance with insurance claims, proof of ownership, property disputes, disaster benefits, and legal papers lost in the storm. Call 1-888-582-3410 or visit frls.org.
Insurance Help: The Florida Division of Consumer Services assists insurance consumers in the aftermath of a disaster. Visit myfloridacfo.com/division/consumers/storm/resources or call the insurance consumer helpline: 1-877-693-5236, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Strengthen your Home: The My Safe Florida Home program helps with strengthening your home which also helps to reduce the cost of home insurance premiums. Visit mysafeflhome.com or call 1-866-513-6734.
Donations & Volunteering
Residents, groups and organizations, contractors or professionals willing to volunteer can register online at www.VolunteerFlorida.org/volunteerconnect. Contractors or Professionals may also email [email protected].
Monetary donations for aid can be made online at COADFL.org – all donations help Charlotte County residents. Items are not being accepted for donation. You can also text DISASTER to 20222 or visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org.