Multiple Florida counties have been negatively impacted by either the blue-green algae resulting from Lake Okeechobee discharges or red tide. Lee County has unfortunately had to deal with both. FRLA is committed to ensuring our members have the most up-to-date and complete information regarding these emergencies. We endeavor to quickly share information coming from our state and federal leaders, and we strongly encourage our members to actively engage with leadership. There is no more impactful voice than that of someone who is actively facing the issue on the ground. Further, we know that the information you provide to state leadership directly impacts their response so your input is invaluable. Please take a moment to complete the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s Business Damage Assessment Survey. When completing the survey, be sure to select either “Lake Okeechobee Discharges/Algae Bloom” or “Southwest Florida Red Tide” as your event.

Here are the latest updates regarding each emergency:

Gov. DeSantis Announces Appointments to the Red Tide Task Force (Published August 2, 2019)

Gov. DeSantis Announces Appointments to the Newly Formed Blue-Green Algae Task Force (Published April 29, 2019)

Gov. DeSantis Recommends $625 Million for Everglades Restoration and Protection of Water Resources (Published January 29, 2019)

Southwest Florida Water Management District’s WISE Program Can Help Businesses (Published January 16, 2019)

Gov. DeSantis Issues Executive Order on Water and Environment (Published January 10, 2019)

Gov. Scott Directs Additional Funding for Red Tide Testing; Atlantic Coast Communities to Receive $1.3 Million for Clean-Up (Published November 1, 2018)

President Signs Water Bill, Approving EAA Reservoir Project (Published October 23, 2018)

Gov. Scott Amends Executive Order 18-275 to Include East Coast Counties (Published October 5, 2018)

SBA Opens Business Recovery Centers for Red Tide Disaster (Published October 2, 2018)

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Now Available in 13 Counties Impacted by Red Tide (Published September 21, 2018)

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Businesses Impacted by Blue-Green Algae (Published September 8, 2018)

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Businesses Impacted by Red Tide (Published September 8, 2018)

Gov. Directs Additional $3 Million for Red Tide Counties (Published August 31, 2018)

Red Tide Emergency: What FRLA Members Need to Know (Published August 16, 2018)

Gov. Scott Issues Emergency Order for Red Tide (Published August 14, 2018)

Executive Order 18-221: Emergency Management – Red Tide (Issued August 13, 2018)

Executive Order 18-191: Emergency Management – Lake Okeechobee Discharges/Algae Blooms (Issued July 9, 2018)

Additional Resources:

Blue-Green Algae Task Force

SBA Business Recovery Center Locations

SBA Online Loan Application

DEO Business Damage Assessment Survey

Bridge Loans

FWC’s Red Tide Tracker

VISIT FLORIDA Red Tide Support

NOAA Red Tide in Florida and Texas

Share your beach cam stream with VISIT FLORIDA

South Florida Water Management District EAA Reservoir Project

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Herbert Hoover Dike