(This story was updated to add new information.)
Hurricane Helene drenched the west coast and much of the inland areas of Florida Thursday before crashing into the Big Bend area as a cataclysmic Category 4 hurricane, leaving high flood waters and nearly 1.2 million customers without power as of Friday morning,according to a USA TODAY power outage tracker.
The storm made landfall just after 11 p.m. near Perry, Florida, with 140 mph winds and maintained hurricane strength as it crossed the state into Georgia. At least one fatality has been reported in the state and rescues are ongoing.
As the storm passes and residents can see the damage left in Helene's wake, many will need help. Here's where to go.
Who to call for help after Hurricane Helene
First, if you are in immediate danger call 911.
Get info from Florida
State Assistance Information Line: 800-342-3557. Residents can get information on available resources. English, Spanish and Creole speakers are available to answer questions.
You can find information on open shelters here.
Disaster Contractors Network: Find licensed contractors to help with your post-hurricane repairs.
If you suspect price gouging, report it to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by visitingMyFloridaLegal.comor calling 866-9NO-SCAM (7226).
Find Wifi hotspots
Comcast has opened 52,296 public Xfinity WiFi hotspots in both indoor and outdoor areas for anyone to use for free in 21 counties affected by Helene. Search by your ZIP code or visit Finder.wifi.xfinity.com.
County Emergency Management websites
Check your local Emergency Management website for up-to-date information on local relief efforts and services.
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Alachua | Baker | Bay | Bradford | Brevard | Broward | Calhoun | Charlotte | Citrus | Clay | Collier | Columbia | DeSoto | Dixie | Duval | Escambia | Flagler | Franklin | Gadsden | Gilchrist | Glades | Gulf | Hamilton | Hardee | Hendry | Hernando | Highlands | Hillsborough | Holmes | Indian River | Jackson | Jefferson | Lafayette | Lake | Lee | Leon | Levy | Liberty | Madison | Manatee | Marion | Martin | Miami-Dade | Monroe | Nassau | Okaloosa | Okeechobee | Orange | Osceola | Palm Beach | Pasco | Pinellas | Polk | Putnam | Santa Rosa | Sarasota | Seminole | St. Johns | St. Lucie | Sumter | Suwannee | Taylor | Union | Volusia | Wakulla | Walton | Washington
Seminole Tribe of Florida Office of Emergency Management | Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida (Facebook)
Insurance company contact numbers
Florida's property insurance companies:A comprehensive list of Florida's property insurance companies with websites and claims phone numbers.
Contact FEMA
Once FEMA begins accepting applications for assistance, you can apply at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 621-FEMA (3362),or by using theFEMA app.
FEMA also offers aFlood Insurance Advocate service to help you navigate the flood claims process.
Volunteer assistance
United Way's 211: Calling 211 can connect you with a wide array of help available to you. You can get info on school closures, food and nutrition programs, financial aid, natural disaster relief and much more, including referral to local social services.
American Red Cross: 800-733-2767. The Red Cross has already moved relief supplies, volunteers and food into the state and opened shelters. You can also get help finding loved ones missing because of the storm, get more information here.
Disaster Legal Hotline: 833-514-2940. Available for eligible residents 24/7 to help you manage FEMA assistance, small business assistance, insurance claims, contractor issues and more.
Hurricane Crisis Clean Up Hotline: 844-965-1386. Volunteer organizations will remove storm debris and assist with other storm clean up at no charge.
Salvation Army Florida: 800-SAL-ARMY. The Salvation Army is ready to set up mobile feeding units for first responders and victims and trained staff and volunteers from multiple Salvation Army locations will be spreading across the state to help. Get more information at disaster.salvationarmy.org.
Samaritan's Purse hotline: 1-833-747-1234, provides free assistance for homeowners affected by Helene. Volunteers may be able to help with flood cleanup, debris removal, temporary roof tarping, etc.
Florida Baptist Disaster Relief Public Assistance: 904-253-0502 or text Helene to 27123. Free assistance to homeowners affected by Helene, volunteers can help with cleanup.
World Central Kitchen: Multiple WCK food truck partners and their Rapid Response Field Kitchen have been preposititioned in the Tallahassee area and will be providing meals to first responders and victims. You cansign up for their newsletteror follow them onInstagram,Twitter, andFacebookfor real-time updates and locations.
Resources for businesses
Florida Commerce Private Sector Hotline: 850 815-4925 for help with assessing damage. You can also self-report physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Helene at floridadisaster.biz by selecting Hurricane Helene in the dropdown menu. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.
FloridaDisaster.biz/CurrentDisasterUpdates: Updated list of business closures and resources.
