BRADENTON BEACH, Fla. (FNN) – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis, alongside FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and other state officials, delivered critical updates on ongoing recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which caused widespread devastation across Florida’s Big Bend region and Gulf Coast. Approximately 367,993 Floridians remain without power, though significant progress has been made, with over 2 million accounts already restored.

The Florida Disaster Fund, managed by Volunteer Florida, continues to play a vital role in supporting recovery initiatives by partnering with public, private, and non-governmental organizations. Donations to the fund can be made by visiting FloridaDisasterFund.org.

• The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) activated the State Emergency Operations Center to Level 1 on Tuesday, September 24, and is leading coordination efforts for the State Emergency Response Team.
  
• The State Emergency Response Team is engaged in over 2,300 missions to assist counties in their preparation efforts. These missions accomplish vital tasks like staging response resources, protecting critical infrastructure facilities like hospitals and utility stations, and coordinating personnel statewide.
  
• Seven Urban search and rescue task forces are deployed.
  
• A Point of Distribution Site (POD) will open today at Noon in Leon County and 34 others are planned:
  
  • 1492 J Lewis Hall Sr Ln, Tallahassee, FL 32305
    
• Urban Search and Rescue Teams (USAR) have interacted with 560 survivors to ensure they are okay after Helene left the areas.
  
• USAR teams have rescued 13 survivors.
  
• The Florida National Guard (FLNG) has activated approximately 4,100 service members for Hurricane Helene response operations. The Florida National Guard is authorized to mobilize up to 5,500 Guardsmen, if needed.
  
• FLNG has rescued 149 people and 55 animals, 84 of which were ground rescues and 63 via air.
  
• FLNG has 13 rotary wing aircraft prepared to provide SAR and/or damage assessment support. Mississippi is providing an additional 3 rotary wing aircraft.
  
• The FLNG is providing logistics support, law enforcement support, route clearance, search and rescue, commodity distribution, flood mitigation, aviation and other support as needed by the state. 
• The Florida State Guard (FSG) has mobilized nearly 200 guards in response to Hurricane Helene.
  
• During the last 24 hours, the FSG Special Missions Unit (SMU) has provided support with:
  
  • Route Clearance (cut and toss) Taylor, Dixie, Wakulla
    
  • Damage Assessments – Dixie, Taylor, Wakulla
    
  • During search and rescue operations and wellness checks in impacted areas, the SMU successfully rescued and transported an 80-year-old, wheelchair-bound, woman from a flooded building.
    
• The FSG continues to provide transportation support for FDLE to move mission-essential equipment to impacted areas.
  
• The FSG Maritime Response Squadron (MRS) continues to support FWC in flooded areas with boats and chainsaws.
  
• The FSG Crisis Response Battalion (CRB) is facilitating a point of distribution (POD) site in Steinhatchee.
  
• The FSG CRB performed route clearing operations with chainsaws opening obstructed roadways in impacted areas. 
• The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Mutual Aid team is coordinating more than 55 active law enforcement missions including search and rescue, security, law enforcement support, traffic control and fuel for first responders.
  
• Nearly 508 law enforcement officers are deployed to the impacted areas.
  
• FDLE is conducting status calls with DMS to ensure State SLERS radio communications systems are operative for law enforcement.
  
• FDLE’s Aviation Unit conducted aerial surveys of impacted counties in coordination with the Air Operations Branch. FDLE has flown eight missions with five aircraft. 
• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has more than 100 officers and support staff responding to areas of Florida impacted by Hurricane Helene.
  
• FWC officers conducted welfare checks and search and rescues in heavily damaged areas in Dixie, Levy and Taylor Counties with shallow draft vessels and specialized high-water vehicles.
  
• FWC officers deployed to Cedar Key, Yankeetown, Suwannee Town, Horseshoe Beach, Steinhatchee, Keaton Beach, Old Town, Gulf Hammock, Fowler’s Bluff and Rocky Creek to perform welfare checks on residents who did not evacuate. They utilized specialized equipment to push their way in, locate and account for all residents assigned to their team. Once the welfare checks were completed, teams assisted with clearing roads and worked with local partners to fulfill any other missions.
  
• FWC Aviation Units conducted support flights in response to assessment requests, county requests, and USAR team member support.
  
• FWC officers in Citrus County conducted 21 rescues and responded to 40 local calls for assistance.
  
• FWC officers in Manatee County responded to Anna Marina for rescue assistance with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. They checked 23 vessels-derelict or possibly inhabited, conducted welfare checks and assisted six citizens in need.
  
• After the water receded from the barrier islands in Pinellas County, area FWC officers worked to move equipment back in places at offices and boat lifts.
  
• A team of FWC officers assisted Treasure Island Fire Rescue respond to calls for assistance in storm affected areas, including evacuating 45 residents from the barrier island and responding to 12 medical calls.
  
• FWC Captive Wildlife Investigators continued to contact permittees including facilities that were not in the direct path of the storm. Homosassa State Park reported that due to flooding they were unable to get to their animals. Investigators assisted with a drone to verify the animals were secure. 
• The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has over 2,100 FDOT team members working directly on storm response.
  
• Damage assessment teams immediately deployed in the field and surveyed impacts.
  
• 61 Cut and Toss crews completely cleared I-10 in under 6 hours of the storm making landfall.
  
• Over 800 crew members have cleared over 12,200 miles of roadway.
  
• 129 Bridge Inspectors reviewed and cleared 1,400 bridges across the impacted areas.
  
• A 16-mile stretch of State Road 789 in Sarasota County and Manatee County has experienced extreme damage and the roadway is inaccessible. FDOT has implemented an emergency repair contract to quickly perform temporary repairs and restore access.
  
• Heavy damage on State Road 24 heading into Cedar Key was repaired and reopened.
  
• Crews repaired damage from erosion at the Courtney Campbell Causeway.
  
• Crews are working to clear sand and debris from the roadway on Gulf Blvd in Pinellas County.
  
• Crews have reviewed nearly 8,800 traffic signals statewide. 129 signals across the impacted areas are not operational, however, crews are actively working to restore power to these locations.
  
• FDOT has committed to perform debris pick up within fiscally constrained counties.
  
• FDOT Secretary issued FDOT Emergency Order on September 23, 2024.
  
  • FDOT has lifted weight restrictions and is allowing bypass of weigh stations for emergency response vehicles, including utility vehicles staging for rapid response.
    
• FDOT encourages drivers to download the FL511 app or visit FL511.com for road/bridge closures and potential detours that may be activated.
  
• Remember to never drive through flooded areas. The area of the roadway beneath the water may be washed out or may conceal debris or even power lines. Turn Around; Don’t Drown.Transportation Modes
• Seaports
  
• Port Tampa Bay, SeaPort Manatee, and Port St. Pete are closed waterside while awaiting U.S. Coast Guard Channel survey. 

  Airports, Rail, and Transit Agencies have all resumed operations.
  

• Please check with service providers directly about potential service impacts. 
• State-Owned Roads Closures (As of 2:00 p.m., 9/28/24)
  State Road closures listed below. For real-time updates, Check FL511.com.  
• Columbia County
  
  • Debris on Roadway on US-441 Both Directions from SW Malone St to SW Balboa Pl. All lanes closed.
    
• Jackson County
  
  • Flooding on Caverns Rd Both Directions at Russell Rd. All lanes closed.
    
• Jefferson County
  
  • Debris on Roadway on Still Rd Southbound near N Jefferson St.
    
  • Debris on Roadway on W Washington Hwy Both Directions near Creekside Ct. All lanes closed.
    
• Manatee County
  
  • Flooding in on SR-684 / Cortez Rd W East, at Gulf Dr. N (SR-789).
    
  • Flooding on SR-684 / Cortez Rd W West, at Gulf Dr N (SR-789). All lanes closed.
    
  • Flooding on SR-64 / Manatee Ave East, at Gulf Dr.. All lanes closed.
    
  • Flooding on SR-64 / Manatee Ave West, at Gulf Dr.. All lanes closed.
    
• Pinellas County
  
  • Debris on Roadway on Gulf Blvd Both Directions at 183rd Ave. All lanes closed.
    
  • Debris on Roadway on Gulf Blvd Both Directions at Whitehurst Ave. All lanes closed.
    
  • Emergency Vehicles on Pinellas Bayway Both Directions at Sun Blvd. All lanes closed.
    
  • Emergency Vehicles on Pinellas Bayway Rd Both Directions near Granada St. All lanes closed.
    
  • Emergency Vehicles on Gulf Blvd near S Gulfview Blvd. All lanes closed.
    
  • Emergency Vehicles on Gulf Blvd Northbound near Marina del Rey Ct. All lanes closed.
    
  • Emergency Vehicles on Memorial Cswy Both Directions near E Shore Dr. All lanes closed.
    
  • Emergency Vehicles on Memorial Cswy Both Directions at Island Way. All lanes closed.
    
  • Emergency Vehicles on Pasadena Ave Southbound at Sunset Dr S. All lanes closed.
    
• Sarasota County
  
  • Access Restricted on SR-72 Eastbound at Midnight Pass Rd.
    
  • Access Restricted on SR-72 Westbound at Beechwood Ave.
    
• Taylor County
  
  • Debris on Roadway on SR-51 Both Directions near US-19 Southbound. All lanes closed. 
• The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) The VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center is operational 24/7/365 for virtual care and tele-emergency care and support to Veterans enrolled for VA Health Care in Florida. 1-877-741-3400. Visit https://department.va.gov/integrated-service-networks/visn-08 for more information.
• Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Veterans’ Domiciliary Home in Lake City lost power and is currently on generator. 
• Volunteer Florida partner resources:
  
  • Disaster Legal Hotline is open to assist and refer callers: 833-514-2940
    
  • Samaritan’s Purse hotline: 1-833-747-1234 free assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster. Volunteers may be able to assist with removal of personal property and furniture, flood cleanup, sanitizing with shockwave treatment, chainsaw work and Debris Clean-up, temporary roof tarping.
    
  • 2-1-1 is open and ready to receive calls. Individuals can call for up-to-the-
    
  • Red Cross Hotline is open to assist: 1-800-Red Cross
    
  • Florida Baptists Disaster Relief Public Assistance: 904-253-0502 or text Helene to 27123. Free Assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster. Volunteers may be able to assist with Storm Debris Cleanup, Temporary Roof Tarping, Chainsaw work, and muckouts.
    
  • Crisis Cleanup number: 844-965-1386 

• The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) continues its recovery efforts with post storm calls and wellness checks to clients, providers, partners in affected areas verifying status and resolving immediate need requests.
  
• APD is mapping Group Homes, clients in Supported Living Facilities, and clients living in family homes in affected areas for priority follow up and wellness checks by APD teams and provider staff.
  
• APD is working with partners and the State Emergency Response Team to ensure the functional and access needs of disaster survivors are met.
  
• APD Hope Florida Navigators, APD emergency recovery teams, and leadership have deployed to Taylor and Madison County’s Hope Florida distribution locations today.
  
• APD is working diligently deploying emergency teams, APD Hope Navigators, and leadership to the various Hope Florida distributions sites in Taylor, Madison, Sarasota, and Manatee counties.
  
  
• The Florida Department of Health’s (DOH) is deploying over 470 emergency response vehicles. Staging is currently in is deploying over 470 emergency response vehicles. Staging is currently in Alachua, Columbia, Leon, Madison, Marion, Osceola, and Polk counties.
  
• At this time, one Boil Water Notice has been reported for Marion County as a result of Hurricane Helene.
  
• DOH has Special Needs Shelters available in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. A press release has been sent statewide for additional information on special needs shelters. To find a shelter near you, please visit the county emergency management page here.
  
• In addition, as of this morning, fifteen (15) Special Needs Shelters are open in fourteen (14) counties: Alachua (1), Citrus (1), Columbia (1), Duval (1), Gilchrist (1), Hamilton (1), Hernando (1), Hillsborough (1), Levy (1), Madison (1), Pasco (1), Pinellas (2), Sarasota (1), and Suwannee (1).
  
• DOH and the Agency for Health Care Administration initiated Patient Movement Mission to support medical transport and evacuations of health care facilities.
  
• The State Surgeon General signed Emergency Order 24-002, which:
  
  • Waives competitive procurement requirements in order to procure commodities, goods, and services expeditiously in response to the emergency.
    
  • Permits emergency medical transportation services to operate across county lines.
    
  • Permits Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians, and Medical Directors, as defined by Chapter 401, Florida Statutes, licensed in other U.S. states, territories, or districts to practice in Florida in response to the emergency without penalty.
    
  • Authorizes a reporting extension for the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.
    
  • Authorizes an extension of the upcoming licensure renewal deadlines for Nursing Home Administrators, Radiological Personnel, and Athletic Trainers until October 31, 2024.
    
• DOH and the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) sent information regarding early prescription refills permitted under Executive Order 24-209. This information was sent to the public, health insurers, managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy chains, and health care providers.  
• The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has activated reporting in the Health Facility Reporting System (HFRS) and has requested that all health care providers report their census, available beds, evacuation status, and generator status information. This information allows AHCA to assist health care providers in transferring patients if needed and ensure that health care providers in impacted areas have the necessary resources and adequate power.
  
• AHCA has made 40 phone calls to health care facilities in the impacted area, to check their status.
  
• As of this morning, 55 health care facilities have reported evacuations. This includes:
  
  • 27 assisted living facilities
    
  • 18 nursing homes
    
  • 4 hospitals
    
  • 2 residential treatment facilities
    
  • 1 residential treatment centers for children and adolescents
    
  • 2 adult family care home, and 3 intermediate care facility for developmentally disabled
    
• 100% of operating long-term care facilities have a generator on-site. The Generator Status Map for long-term care facilities is available here.
  
• As of this afternoon, there are 93 health care facilities on generator power across the state. This includes:
  
  • 4 hospitals
    
  • 48 assisted living facilities
  • 24 nursing homes.
    
  • 2 adult family care home
    
  • 1 hospice
    
  • 1 hospital emergency department
    
  • 5 intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled
    
  • 4 residential treatment facilities
    
  • 1 residential treatment centers for children and adolescents
    
  • 3 stabilization and short-term rtf
    
• The Agency has waived all prior authorization requirements for critical Medicaid services until further notice.
  
• AHCA has conducted 112 onsite post-incident assessment visits. 

• The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) cut teams and FDOT road clearing teams are provided aid to areas impacted by the storm.
  
• FHP Troopers are assisting with escorting critical restoration and recovery vehicles from around the state to areas impacted by the storm.
  
• FHP has mobilized 48 Quick Response Force team members to deploy to affected areas of Florida to assist with rescue and recovery efforts.
  
• FHP and FDOT cut teams cleared all trees and debris from Interstate 10 and Interstate 75 and traffic flow has been restored.
  
• 8 FHP drone teams and a fixed-wing aircraft are actively assisting with search and rescue efforts and storm damage assessment in Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach in Taylor County, Cedar Key in Levy County, and Horseshoe Beach in Dixie County.
  
• FHP high-water vehicles continue to assist with search and rescue efforts.
  
• FHP is providing security at storm response fuel sites.
  
• FLHSMV has 3 Florida Licensing on Wheels (FLOW) mobiles on standby to provide mobile credentialing services in impacted areas and to those affected by the storm. 
• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) issued Emergency Order 24-05, in support of Executive Order 24-209 which: waives specific requirements for commercial motor vehicles providing emergency relief; and waives the replacement fees for driver’s license and identification credentials, vehicle registrations and titles, vessel registrations and titles and temporary parking permits for impacted individuals. 
• The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has contacted families and group homes serving over 13,500 individuals to ensure all children and families served are safe and to determine needs.
  
• The Hope Bus was at Taylor County Middle School, 601 East Lafayette Street, Perry, FL 32347 and The Bridge Church, 1135 US 90, Madison, FL 32340 Saturday, September 28, and distributed supplies including baby items, snacks, water, and nonperishable items. Hope Navigators were available to assist individuals.
  
• DCF is supporting 43 shelters in 21 counties serving over 1,300 individuals; has delivered over 113,000 meals, 226,000 bottles of water, and 38,000 snacks to 18 counties.
  
• Current SNAP recipients who lost food due to Hurricane Helene can apply for food replacement. To learn more, visit myflfamilies.com/helene
  
• The HOPE LINE is available to assist those in need of resources or other assistance after the storm. It is now available 24/7 for the next two-plus weeks at 833-GET-HOPE.
  
• Activate Hope has been deployed to help connect Floridians impacted by the storm with needed resources like food, supplies, home repairs, and more. Serving as the emergency response component of the Hope Florida initiative, Activate Hope connects the private sector, nonprofits, and government to help Floridians get back on their feet following a natural disaster. Fill out the form here to get help.
  
• DCF has contacted over 5,800 licensed providers in impacted areas to check for needs after the storm.
  
• The State Mental Health Treatment Facilities are fully operational. 
• The Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) continues to contact all Area Agencies on Aging partners to receive updates. Post storm call downs to clients are ongoing and there are currently no unmet needs. 
• The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has been contacting school districts and state colleges following Hurricane Helene and is working with the Florida Division of Emergency Management to expedite assistance. Out of the total 68 school districts that announced closures due to Hurricane Helene, at a minimum 49 of those school districts will reopen on Monday and the Department expects additional districts to open in the coming days. 
• The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is actively working to provide assistance to drinking water, wastewater, and hazardous waste facilities. Outreach to these facilities to determine operational status is ongoing.
  
• DEP’s online portal, WaterTracker, is live for drinking and wastewater facilities to report their operational status.
  
• DEP is working with Florida’s Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (FlaWARN), the Florida Rural Water Association, and other response agencies to dispatch generators, fuel and pump trucks, and other resources to assist drinking and wastewater facilities.
  
• DEP and response agencies are working 1-on-1 with partially- and non-operational drinking and wastewater facilities to get them back to operational status as quickly as possible to meet the immediate service needs of the communities they serve. Areas under boil water advisories can be found at https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/drinking-water/boil-water-notices/index.html.
  
• DEP is working in conjunction with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard to identify oil spills and hazardous material releases in coastal and inland waterways.
  
• DEP is coordinating visits to emergency operation centers in impacted areas. Today, staff visited the emergency operations centers for Dixie, Levy, Gilchrist, Suwanee, Hamilton, Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties to provide departmental support.
  
• 94 Disaster Debris Management Sites have been authorized to operate for Hurricane Helene. These sites are a critical component of expediting clean-up and reducing environmental and public health impacts post-storm and meeting federal reimbursement requirements.
  
• 10 Florida State Parks strike teams have deployed to assist with assessment and recovery efforts at impacted parks.
  
• 79 state parks have reopened following Hurricane Helene. DEP published a storm updates webpage to keep state park visitors updated of closures: FloridaStateParks.org/StormUpdates. Visitors with existing camping and cabin reservations at closed parks have been notified of their reservation status

• The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) has partnered with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to encourage more than 71,000 Florida-licensed lodging establishments to relax pet policies and waive pet fees for evacuees.
  
• DBPR has proactively communicated with more than 137,000 restaurant and lodging licensees to provide storm preparation and food safety resources.
  
• DBPR has proactively contacted more than 2,300 prescription wholesale stakeholders to provide information on emergency provisions under Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order 24-211 that will help mitigate supply chain difficulties with prescription drugs and medical gas.
  
• The Florida Disaster Contractors Network has been activated to connect homeowners with licensed contractors and suppliers to perform emergency repairs.
  
• DBPR encourages Florida’s licensed contractors who provide post-storm construction-related services to register with its Florida Disaster Contractors Network at DCNOnline.org.
  
• DBPR has distributed FloridaCommerce’s Business Damage Assessment Survey to nearly 1,000,000 licensees in impacted counties and encouraged them to report damages using the survey.
  
• DBPR’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants has begun disaster assessments in impacted areas. Emergency Response Teams across the state are completing outreach to impacted businesses to reinforce food safety protocols after the storm. 
• FloridaCommerce activated the private sector hotline at (850) 815-4925, open daily 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Inquiries may also be emailed to ESF18@em.myflorida.com.
  
• FloridaCommerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Helene. Business owners can self-report physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Helene recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of impacted businesses. Businesses can complete the survey online by visiting FloridaDisaster.biz and selecting “Hurricane Helene” from the dropdown menu.
  
• FloridaCommerce continues to work with the Florida Chamber, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and other private sector partners to consistently update business open/close status on FloridaDisaster.biz. FloridaCommerce staff have made more than 800 calls to rural and small businesses to help with this effort.
• FloridaCommerce and CareerSource Florida continue to host calls with the 21 Local Workforce Development Boards and 38 Community Action Agencies across the state to assess damage and deploy resources to help the hardest-hit areas. To find your local career center, visit careersourceflorida.com.
  
• CareerSource Florida Career Center openings are being updated on FloridaDisaster.biz.
  
• FloridaCommerce and the Florida Department of Children and Families will be distributing supplies and providing resources to families and businesses in Madison County at the Bridge Church, Pasco County at the South Holiday Library, Manatee County at the State College of Florida Bradenton Campus and Taylor County at Taylor County Middle School, Sunday, September 28, 2024 from 12am – 5pm.
  
• Wawa stores in Florida are providing free coffee and fountain beverages to all first responders, including National Guard in Florida in appreciation for all they are doing to support and serve our communities during Hurricane response and recovery efforts.
  
• The Wawa Community Care Coffee Truck has been deployed to Taylor County, providing free coffee and water to residents impacted by the storm.
  
• Spectrum announced it will help residents stay connected after Hurricane Helene by offering free, unlimited access to Spectrum WiFi access points in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. For locations: https://lnkd.in/ghjN6wAD
  
• Walmart has donated $500 gift cards to shelters in Hamilton, Madison and Suwannee Counties for the purchase of pet food.
  
• Lowes has deployed their Tool Rental Truck to assist in recovery efforts providing a rental option for power tools from chainsaws and pressure washers, to fence post augers and compressors. The truck is also staffed with small engine mechanics to support local communities with power. 
• VISIT FLORIDA Emergency Accommodation Modules on Expedia, Priceline and Booking.com will remain available to provide real-time hotel availability and lodging resources for impacted Floridians and visitors.
  
• Comcast has opened more than 52,000 public Xfinity WiFi hotspots in Florida. The free and public hotspots are open for all, including non-Xfinity customers. For more information, click here.
  
• CVS Health created pop-up pharmacies in impacted areas. 
• The Florida Department of State, Division of Elections, has contacted the United States Postal Service (USPS) about election information and vote-by-mail ballots. The Division of Elections recommended that the Supervisors of Elections contact their local district USPS to discuss a mitigation plan for ballot mailing, delivery, and return. 
• The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) worked with Florida’s ports and fuel industry partners to ensure adequate fuel supplies are available, and with Florida’s agricultural partners so producers have adequate resources. The Florida Forest Service staged equipment, like high-water vehicles.
  
• The Commissioner of Agriculture, Wilton Simpson, has approved an Emergency Order temporarily suspending the intrastate movement requirements for animal transportation. In addition, the following states have waived their interstate import requirements for Florida pets, horses, and livestock leaving the state: Alabama, Georgia (does not include livestock), Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
  
• Commissioner Wilton Simpson has approved an emergency rule authorizing out-of-state licensed security guards to protect people and property in Florida and has approved an emergency rule to aid the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas to disaster response and recovery operations.
  
• Fuel inspectors are responding to impacted areas to ensure retail fuel dispensers are working properly and testing the quality of fuel.
• As of 3 p.m. on Sept. 28, inspectors had completed preliminary inspections of 976 of an estimated 2,126 potentially impacted retail fuel stations. Of the 976 facilities, 733 are open and operating.
  
• Floridians are encouraged to visit complaints.fdacs.gov or call 1-800-HELP-FLA to report water-contaminated fuel issues to the department.
  
• Food safety inspectors are responding to impacted areas to conduct damage assessments and ensure the safe operation of over 12,000 potentially impacted food establishments.
  
• As of 3 p.m. on Sept. 28, inspectors have completed 1,004 assessments of food establishments in impacted regions. 858 facilities are open for business.
  
• FDACS has delivered or is in the process of delivering a total of 118 truckloads of ice to support local communities.
  
• Agricultural partners can request critical assistance for livestock and animals in critical need, please complete this form and then send it to DAIOPSAssessment@FDACS.gov, or call 863-993-5460.
  
• UF/IFAS is studying the agricultural losses and damages resulting from Hurricane Helene. Producers can share information about impacts experienced at your farm, ranch, or aquaculture operation here.
  
• Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) launched the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program for Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by Hurricane Helene to apply for low-interest and interest-free loans. Loans can be used by eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property – including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings – or to remove vegetative debris.
  
• FDACS is securing and providing critical resources to our agricultural producers, such as generators, fencing, feed/water, and veterinary supplies. 
• The Department of Revenue (FDOR) has issued Emergency Order 24-001: Taxing Authority Millage and Budget Hearings to assist local taxing authorities with altering their plans for annual budget hearings because of Helene. Department of Revenue bulletin PTO 20-07 provides further instructions for local taxing authorities during declared emergencies. 
• The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) is posting updates publicly and in real-time at FDC.myflorida.com/weather-updates.
  
  
  For previous updates see below:
  9/24/2024
  9/25/2024
  9/26/2024
  9/27/2024 (1)
  9/27/2024 (2)
  9/28/2024
  
  
  Follow FDEM on X, Instagram, and Facebook for updates and visit FloridaDisaster.org/Updates for information relating to Hurricane Helene.