COMMUNITY EFFORTS SPEED UP HURRICANE IRMA RECOVERY
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20250121/community-efforts-speed-hurricane-irma-recovery]


Release Date: 
June 5, 2018 

Videos Online Tell Their Stories

 

ORLANDO, Fla. –Disaster preparation and recovery begin and end
locally because community-based resources are the longest lasting
presence before and after events like hurricanes.

 

Hurricane Irma destroyed homes and affected communities across Florida
but locals and volunteers have taken initiatives to accelerate
recovery. They prepared before the storm to minimize damage, are
rebuilding homes and taking actions to lessen negative impacts.   

 

Several online videos show successes of locals and volunteers in the
Florida Keys. Descriptions and links to videos are below:

 

Fishermen's Community Hospital:  Hurricane Irma destroyed the
Marathon hospital. Baptist Health South Florida opened a temporary
field hospital in the parking lot so the community continues to have a
healthcare facility. Watch their story here: go.usa.gov/xQykC
[https://go.usa.gov/xQykC]

 

Habitat for Humanity and Tourism Cares: The two nonprofits have teamed
up to repair 200 homes and build another 20 in the Keys. Watch their
story here: go.usa.gov/xQykb [https://go.usa.gov/xQykX]

 

St. Columba Episcopal Church: The church in Marathon has bought
trailers to house Hurricane Irma survivors. They’ve also purchased
an apartment building where survivors can stay while making home
repairs. Watch their story here: go.usa.gov/xQykX
[https://go.usa.gov/xQykX]

 

Turtle Hospital: A rescue and rehab hospital for sea turtles in
Marathon took several steps to prepare for Hurricane Irma. Staff moved
expensive medical equipment to higher ground to keep it dry. They also
evacuated all the turtles to keep them safe. Watch their story here:
go.usa.gov/xQyKt [https://go.usa.gov/xQyKt]

 

For more Hurricane Irma recovery information, visit
www.FEMA.gov/IrmaFL [http://www.fema.gov/IrmaFL].

 

Follow FEMA and the Florida Division of Emergency Management on
Twitter at @FEMARegion4 [https://twitter.com/FEMARegion4] and @FLSERT
[http://www.twitter.com/flsert]. You may also visit FEMA and the
Division’s Facebook pages at Facebook.com/FEMA
[https://facebook.com/fema] and Facebook.com/FloridaSERT
[http://www.facebook.com/floridasert].

 

Helping people before, during, and after disasters.

 

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race,
color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English
proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been
discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For
TTY call 800-462-7585.

 

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public
transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and
burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan.
However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them
to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property,
vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses. 

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