Dangerous winds will produce some damage. The damage is primarily contained to shrubbery, trees, foliage and unanchored homes; damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters could result.
Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage. Considerable damage to shrubbery and tree foliage; some trees blown down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some window damage. No major damage to buildings.
Devastating damage will occur. Large trees blown down. Major damage to and removal of roof; some window and door damage. Some structural damage to small buildings. Mobile homes destroyed. Serious flooding at coast and many structures near coast destroyed; larger structures near coast damaged by battering waves and loose debris.
Catastrophic damage will occur. Severe damage to roofing materials, windows, doors and exterior walls. Complete failures of roofs on many small residences. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Major damage to lower floors of structures near shore due to flooding and battering by waves and debris. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
Catastrophic damage will occur. A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed. Complete failure of roofs on many residences and industrial buildings. Extensive shattering of glass in windows and doors. Small buildings overturned or blown away. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Major damage to lower floors of all structures less than 15 feet above sea level within 500 yards of shore.
• For information on preparing for a hurricane or other disaster, visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management at FloridaDisaster.org.
• Additionally, explore the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster preparedness resources at Ready.gov.
• Those experiencing financial losses due to a hurricane may be eligible for FEMA Disaster Assistance. To determine your eligibility or to apply for assistance, visit FEMA.gov or call1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). There is no fee to apply or to receive assistance.
• Immediate foreclosure relief may be available from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to individuals located in federally designated disaster areas. For more information visit HUD.gov or HUD.gov/Espanol.
• In the event of a disaster, the Governor has the option to activate the Emergency Bridge Loan Program via executive order. A bridge loan, facilitated by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, is a short-term, interest-free loan offered to support businesses that experience physical or economic damage due to a hurricane. For more information, visitFloridaDisasterLoan.org.
• Disaster loans may be available from the U.S. Small Business Administration to qualifying
businesses to cover losses not fully paid for by insurance or other relief methods. For more information, visit DisasterLoan.SBA.gov. There is no fee to apply for or receive assistance.
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance may be available through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to qualifying Florida residents whose jobs were adversely affected due to a hurricane. For more information, visit FloridaJobs.org and enter “Disaster Unemployment Assistance” in the search box at the top of the webpage.
• The Florida Department of Children and Families may offer additional emergency services to Floridians during times of disaster. For more information, visit MyFLFamilies.com/disaster.
• Contact your lenders, financial institutions and service providers to see what programs they may offer. Following a hurricane or other disaster, many businesses institute programs to ease the financial burdens on their customers during the aftermath by restructuring or delaying payment plans, waiving late fees, forgiving overages and more. From mortgage servicers to phone plan providers, contact the institutions you use to determine what your options are. Prior to signing up, be sure you understand any requirements the program may have such as additional fees, accrual of interest and doubling of your next monthly payment.