~FRLA continues to urge all hotels to reduce or waive no-pet policies they may have in place to support evacuating families ~

Those doing so are encouraged to complete DBPR’s Lodging Pet Fee Waiver Info Sheet below

DBPR’s Lodging Pet Fee Waiver Information Sheet

CLICK HERE to view a list of those self-reporting their participation 

Donate to the FRLA Disaster Relief Fund

Donate to the State of Florida Disaster Fund

FRLA strongly encourages you and your business to stay informed and get a plan during the state’s Hurricane season (June 1 – November 30).  FRLA actively participates in the State Emergency Response Team during emergency events as a member of ESF 18, which coordinates local, state, and federal agency actions that will provide immediate and short-term assistance for the needs of business, industry, and economic stabilization. 

 General Resources | How to Help | Visitors & Residents

Active Emergency Orders and Storms

2024 Executive and Emergency Orders

Hurricane Milton

  • Executive Order 24-215 – Emergency Management Tropical Storm Milton, adding 16 counties the state of emergency. New counties are italicized and bolded. Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Collier, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, and Volusia counties.
  • NEW: Executive Order 24-214 – Emergency Management Tropical Storm Milton, declaring a state of emergency for the following counties: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia counties.

Hurricane Helene

  • NEW: October 1-9 Florida Commerce Partners with FL Small Business Development Center Network and CareerSource Florida to bring one-stop business resource sites to 17 counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. Learn more here.
  • NEW: Florida Commerce Activates FL Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $15 million available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. Learn more here.  
  • NEW: Florida DBPR Issues Emergency Order 2024-08 to streamline Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts, affecting impacted hotels and restaurants. Ex: Food service businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene can now work with DBPR to register temporary food kitchens so they can stay in business and support their communities’ recovery efforts. Learn more at the link above.
  • SBA Disaster Assistance Loans: For more details, click here or call 1-800-659-2955.
  • NEW: FEMA Disaster Assistance: Florida homeowners and renters in counties who had uninsured damage or losses from Helene may be eligible for FEMA Disaster Assistance. Current eligible counties include: Charlotte, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla. Learn more here or call 1-800-621-3362.
  • Businesses with economic or physical damage related to Hurricane Helene are encouraged to complete the Business Damage Assessment Survey which provides important data that enables Florida Commerce to expedite relief. Complete your survey here
  • Executive Order 24-209 – Amending EO 24-208 – State of Emergency expanded to include 20 additional counties. Total counties covered now include: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough,  Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington counties.
  • Executive Order 24-208 – State of Emergency Declared in 41 Counties, including: Alachua, Bay, Bradford, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington counties.
  • Attorney General Ashley Moody Activates Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline: Report Price Gouging Here

Hurricane Debby

  • Florida Commerce Announces Disaster Unemployment Assistance is Available for Floridians Impacted by Hurricane Debby Learn More
  • Governor DeSantis Announces Activation of Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan. Click here for more information and to apply for assistance.
  • Executive Order 24-157 – Amending EO 24-156 – State of Emergency expanded to include 7 additional counties –  Total counties covered include: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington counties –  August 2, 2024
  • Executive Order 24-156 – State of Emergency declared in 54 of Florida’s 67 counties in anticipation of Invest 97L, now Potential Tropical Cyclone 4 – August 1, 2024

May North Florida Tornadoes

  • FloridaCommerce Announces the Activation of the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, $2 Million Available for Businesses Impacted by North Florida Tornadoes
  • Executive Order 24-95 – Amending Executive Order 24-94 to expand the state of emergency. The full list of counties covered includes Baker, Columbia, Escambia, Gadsden, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties – May 13, 2024
  • Executive Order 24-94 – May North Florida Tornadoes –  State of Emergency declared in Baker, Columbia, Gadsden, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla counties  – May 10, 2024
  • Florida Commerce Activates Business Damage Assessment Survey for Florida business owners to self report physical and economic damage caused by today’s severe weather event – May 10, 2024

January Severe Weather Event

Florida Commerce Activates Business Damage Assessment Survey for Florida business owners to self report physical and economic damage caused by today’s severe weather event – January 9, 2024

 

General Hurricane Resources

Emergency Lodging | Food Safety | Dislocated Workers | Insurance | Get a Plan | Tax Credit

Preparation – Make a Plan!

  • Always Ready Natural Disasters Guide is a restaurant-specific disaster guide from the National Restaurant Association that collects best practices from official sources and restaurant operators so you know what to do in advance of, during, and after a natural disaster.
  • The Florida Business Disaster Planning Toolkit provides businesses with valuable information regarding preparedness, response, and recovery issues.
  • Go to www.FLGetAPlan.com to build your customized business disaster plan and encourage your employees to build a customized family emergency plan.
  • DEM’s FloridaDisaster.Biz website helps you to ready your business for what comes before, during, and after an emergency event.
  • Alert Florida is a statewide emergency notification initiative sponsored by the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Follow the link above to learn how to receive emergency alerts and other public safety notifications in your local community.
  • Businesses are encouraged to take the Florida State Emergency Response Team Private Sector Lodging Survey in preparation for hurricane season.
  • DBPR Hurricane Guide
  • FRLA allied member, Florida Hospitality Risk Advisors (FLHRA), has released a preparation checklist with resources to help get your business hurricane ready. See the checklist here.
  • FRLA Allied Member Signal Restoration Services has released a Hurricane Preparedness Checklist 
  • American Red Cross Ready Rating: While preparing businesses for an emergency or disaster, many owners focus on facilities, equipment, services and staff. To increase a plan’s success, it may be time to think outside the walls of your workplace — specifically, whether your staff are prepared at home.
  • VISIT FLORIDA’s catalog of resources
  • Crisis Communications Tips
  • For weather alert updates, visitors and residents may stay informed via the weather advisory located on the VISIT FLORIDA homepage. 

Additional Resources

Response

USDA Food Safety Tips for Areas Affected by Hurricanes

Click here for a list of recommendations to reduce food waste and the risk of foodborne illness during severe weather events. In the wake of a Hurricane, there may likely be power outages and flooding.  Both pose a risk to the integrity of food and water.  Food safety requirements should adhere to post-disaster if you are serving food to the public and to your own family.

Be certain refrigerated food has been stored at correct temperatures of 41°F or below. Frozen food should be maintained at 0°F or below. Thawing should be conducted using only correct methods. Food packaging should be intact with no trace of water intrusion or exposure. In addition, if food has been exposed to storm-related water or debris of any type, it should be discarded should not be served. If food is in question remember when in doubt, throw it out. For information about food safety requirements visit the USDA or Florida’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants, to learn guidelines for emergency recovery.

Emergency Lodging Assistance (ELA)

In response to hurricanes, FEMA activates the Emergency Lodging Assistance program. All lodging operators are encouraged to sign-up here. The ELA provides lodging reimbursement for pre-qualified individuals from designated disaster areas. The Federal Emergency Management Agency created the ELA program to provide temporary shelter as a result of a Federal disaster declaration. As administrator for this FEMA-funded preparedness initiative, CLC provides rules-based payments for all qualified applicants at participating hotels. Lodging properties can review frequently asked questions here, call 1-866-545-9865 or email [email protected] for assistance. Individuals or families searching for lodging may contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362.

Recovery

Dislocated Worker Grants

Dislocated Worker Grants are sometimes available to provide temporary employment to Floridians affected by hurricanes and provide disaster relief employment in the form of temporary jobs that support storm response and recovery efforts. Disaster relief employment pertains to projects that provide food, clothing, shelter and other humanitarian assistance for disaster victims and projects that involve demolition, cleaning, repair, renovation and reconstruction of damaged structures and facilities. Individuals who qualify for disaster relief employment are people who are temporarily or permanently laid off as a consequence of the disaster, dislocated workers, and individuals who are long-term unemployed. Find info at your local CareerSource Center.

Need Insurance Help?

FRLA’s Insurance Council is comprised of trusted agency advisors who understand our members’ needs. View the list here.

The Florida Chief Financial Officer’s Division of Consumer Services offers free assistance to insurance consumers in the aftermath of hurricanes by offering the insurance Consumer Helpline 1-877-693-5236. You can speak directly with individuals who can help you review your policies to understand your coverage, help you file claims for damage and offer assistance in the event that you are having trouble communicating with your insurance company. Verify an insurance agent’s or adjuster’s license here.

Visit Florida has developed a page dedicated to providing information on event insurance. Businesses can find information on hurricane insurance and “Cover Your Event” insurance here.

Hurricane Tax Credit

Every business located in a disaster area may be eligible to receive the hurricane retention tax credit of up to $2,400 for every employee retained after the hurricane, according to The Hurricane Disaster Relief Act of 2017 (H.R. 3823 Section 503).

The Hurricane Retention Tax Credit is meant to compensate businesses for the unintended cost associated with a national disaster. Get a complimentary evaluation of your business to determine your eligibility. For more information, please call Synergi Partners at 843-245-3903 or visit www.synergipartners.com/FRLA.

Protect Your Business From Price Gouging

price-gouging-is-illegal

Whenever Florida is under a declared state of emergency, Florida’s price gouging law applies. State law prohibits extreme increases in the price of essential commodities, such as food, ice, gas, hotels, lumber, and water during this declared state of emergency.  Specifically, F.S. 501.160 states that during a state of emergency, it is unlawful to sell, lease, offer to sell, or offer for lease essential commodities, dwelling units, or self-storage facilities for an amount that grossly exceeds the average price for that commodity during the 30 days before the declaration of the state of emergency, unless the seller can justify the price by showing increases in its prices or market trends. You can find Frequently Asked Questions about price gouging here, and learn how to protect yourself from price gouging after a hurricane by clicking here. For more information on price gouging, please click here. Report an instance of price gouging or contractor fraud during a declared state of emergency to the Attorney General’s Office online at www.myfloridalegal.com or by calling toll-free at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM. Additionally, you may report unlicensed contractors to the Department of Business & Professional Regulation online at www.myfloridalicense.com or by calling 1-866-532-1440.

Disaster Area Re-Entry Requirements

Florida State Emergency Response Team Logo

Following a major storm, one of the primary goals will be the rapid restoration of local businesses that provide vital goods and services. Local elected officials and Law Enforcement Officers will work together to determine when an area is safe enough for individuals to return. Individuals and businesses seeking to provide essential commodities and services to impacted areas will be allowed re-entry by possessing and presenting specific documentation to local officials:

1. A valid government-issued ID, such as a Driver’s License or passport;
2. Proof of Employment, such as Employer credentials or a letter on employer letterhead; and
3. A Demonstrated Need to enter the area, such as a work order, inventory list, or employer authorization. Local officials know their communities and are well suited to facilitate a safe and timely re-entry process.

If you have any questions, please contact the State Emergency Response Team’s Emergency Support Function 18 via the Private Sector Hotline at (850) 410-1403 or by email at [email protected].

VISIT FLORIDA Webcam Submission

Are you open for business? Share your live webcam stream with VISIT FLORIDA, and they may include it on their Florida Now page, which offers real-time information about areas throughout the state. This real-time data promotes the diversity of opportunities in the Sunshine State and can help drive traffic to your area and your business. Submit your cam here.

 

How to Help

When a disaster event strikes, Florida’s hospitality industry generously opens its doors and its hearts to their communities. Lodging properties welcomed evacuees, utility workers and first responders, restaurants fed thousands in shelters, businesses donated money and supplies and employees volunteered their time to help fellow neighbors in need. FRLA encourages those who wish to offer their generous help during this difficult time to consider supporting the Florida Disaster Fund.

Florida Disaster Fund

The Florida Disaster Fund helps provide financial support to Florida’s communities in times of disaster.

To make a contribution, please visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER  to 20222 to make a one-time donation of $10.

To donate by check, please make check out to the Volunteer Florida Foundation, include “Florida Disaster Fund” in the memo line and mail to Volunteer Florida Foundation Attn: Florida Disaster Fund, 1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250, Tallahassee, FL 32308. 

If you have additional questions about the Florida Disaster Fund, please contact [email protected] or call (850)-414-7400.

 

For Visitors & Residents

Stay informed: Visit www.floridadisaster.org to find information on shelters, road closures, and evacuation routes. For live updates on the latest weather patterns, follow the State Emergency Response Team @FLSERT on Twitter and Facebook. VISIT FLORIDA is also providing weather updates and official source links for visitors to keep up with the latest changes here.

Obtaining financial assistance for lodging: Hurricane evacuees in need of financial assistance for lodging can contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) online or by phone at 800-621-3362.

Finding a hotel that accepts FEMA assistance: If you already have FEMA lodging assistance and you are looking for available lodging under FEMA’s Transitional Shelter Assistance Program, a list of participating hotels is available on the www.disasterassistance.gov website. Call the hotel to determine current availability, and be sure to inform the hotel when you call that you are participating in FEMA’s emergency lodging program.

Finding a hotel generally: Visitors and residents can make general lodging relocation plans here. First responders traveling to the impacted areas can also use this information to find available lodging. Search for pet-friendly lodging BringFido.com or PetFriendlyTravel.com.

Shelter Information: If lodging accommodations are simply not an available option for you, you can find a list of open evacuation shelters updated in real time here. Some local shelters require advanced notice for pets.

Frequently Asked Questions on Travel: Visitors traveling in or making plans to visit Florida during hurricane season can find frequently asked questions here.

More information:

Expired Emergency Orders

Surfside Condo Collapse

Tropical Storm Fred

Tropical Storm Elsa

  • Gov. EO 21-151 – Amending Executive Order 21-150, Emergency Management – Tropical Storm Elsa, issued July 5, 2021.
  • Gov. EO 21-150 – State of Emergency Declaration Tropical Storm Elsa, issued July 3, 2021.

Hurricane Sally

  • Gov. EO 21-64 60-day extension of Gov. EO 20-225 and 20-224, issued 03-10-2021

Hurricane Eta

News Archive