Hurricane Idalia Disaster Recovery Center Opens In Riverview

RIVERVIEW, FL — The Hillsborough County Office of Emergency Management, the Florida Department of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency announce the opening of the Disaster Recovery Center for individuals, families, and businesses impacted by Hurricane Idalia.

The first Disaster Recovery Center in Hillsborough County will open from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at Hillsborough Community College at The Regent, 6437 Watson Road, Riverview.

After the initial opening, it will open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, through Wednesday, Nov. 1, including over the weekend. The Disaster Recovery Center at HCC at The Regent is scheduled to close Nov. 1.

The Disaster Recovery Center is open to individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits seeking assistance or needing help in completing applications after being impacted by Hurricane Idalia.

FEMA representatives who can help with individual assistance and hazard-mitigation assistance will be in attendance. The Florida Department of Emergency Management, Veterans Affairs and the Small Business Administration will be there to assist.

In addition, representatives with legal services and housing assistance will be on-site to help answer questions and assist with applications. FEMA will also be able to connect applicants to additional resources not located at the Disaster Recovery Center.

The Disaster Recovery Center site at HCC at The Regent is an outdoor mobile set-up with tents and trailer located near the back of the campus. There will be signs on campus directing visitors to the Disaster Recovery Center.

Hillsborough County residential property owners and renters whose homes sustained damage and losses from Hurricane Idalia can still apply for FEMA assistance online until Nov. 29. To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA app for smartphones or call (800) 621-3362.

Phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day. The assistance could include financial help for temporary lodging, basic home repairs and other disaster-related expenses.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management and Hillsborough County are also working to identify locations for additional disaster recovery centers to assist residents and business owners whose property was impacted by Hurricane Idalia.