Disaster Recovery

Disaster Recovery Assistance for Florida Businesses

When disaster strikes, Florida businesses can find the assistance needed to recover through the Florida SBDC Network’s business disaster recovery services. Our professionally certified business consultants, many of whom are Disaster Recovery Institute (DRI) Certified Business Continuity Professionals, provide no cost consulting to help you minimize losses and increase survivability when affected by a disaster. Our specialists can assist in helping affected businesses apply for state and federal disaster loans, as well as other post-disaster challenges.

Business Recovery Locations

Federal and State officials are assessing and determining the locations for temporary Business Recovery Centers. Locations will be posted here as soon as they are available. In the meantime, you may contact Eunice Choi, Florida SBDC at UCF Regional Director for more information.

Types of State and Federal Disaster Loans 

Florida Small Business Bridge Loan Program

Following activation by the Governor, the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program provides short-term, interest-free loans to businesses impacted by a disaster. Administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) in partnership with the Florida SBDC Network and Florida First Capital Finance Corporation (FFCFC), the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan helps businesses bridge the gap between the time damage is incurred and when a business secures other financial resources, including payment of insurance claims or longer-term Small Business Administration loans. Up to $10 million has been allocated for the program. Under the program, eligible small businesses in declared areas with two to 100 employees may apply for short-term, interest-free loans for $1,000 to $25,000 for 90 or 180-day terms. To be eligible, a business must have been established prior to the disaster, and demonstrate economic injury or physical damage as a result of the disaster.

Activated: Hurricane Irma

Eligibility: Business must have been established prior to September 4, 2017, and demonstrate economic injury or physical damage as a result of Hurricane Irma
Eligible Florida Counties:  All 67 Counties
Deadline to Apply:  November 30, 2017
For More Information and to Apply:  www.floridadisasterloan.org

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Business Physical Disaster Loans

Following the activation of a presidential disaster declaration, impacted businesses may apply for low-interest loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Business Physical Disaster Loan Program. Businesses and most private non-profit organizations located in a declared disaster area that incurred damage during a disaster may apply for a low-interest loan to help replace or restore damaged property whenf federal assistance is activated. SBA makes physical disaster loans of up to $2 million to qualified businesses and most private non-profit organizations. Visit the SBA’s disaster website for full details.

Activated: Hurricane Irma

Eligible Florida Counties: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Desoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Saint Johns, Saint Lucie, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia
Deadline to Apply:  November 9, 2017
For More Information and to Apply:  https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)

Following the activation of a presidential disaster declaration, impacted businesses, small agricultural cooperative, and private nonprofit organizations may apply for low-interest loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program. If you are in a declared disaster area, have suffered substantial economic injury regardless of physical damage, and you are a small business, small agricultural cooperative, or private nonprofit organizations, you may qualify for an EIDL. EIDLs provide working capital to help businesses survive until normal operations resume after a disaster. SBA can provide up to a maximum of $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses. A business may qualify for both an EIDL and a physical disaster loan, not to exceed the maximum of $2 million. Visit the SBA’s disaster website for full details.

Activated: Hurricane Irma

Eligible Florida Counties: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Levy and Nassau
Deadline to Apply:  June 11, 2018
For More Information and to Apply:  https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

Activated: Secretary of Agriculture Drought Declaration

Deadline to Apply: January 10, 2018

Hurricane Irma News and Information

9/14/2017 –  Additional Florida Counties Now Eligible for SBA Physical, Economic Injury Disaster Loans
Business owners in additional Florida counties are now eligible to apply for federal disaster assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Programs as a result of Hurricane Irma that began on September 4, 2017. read more

9/13/2017 –  State, Federal Disaster Loan Programs Activated to Aid Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Irma
Florida businesses impacted by Hurricane Irma may now apply for various state and federal disaster loan programs.  As a principal responder in the state’s Emergency Support Function for Business and Industry, the Florida SBDC Network stands ready to assist businesses with disaster loan applications and with other post-disaster challenges. read more

9/11/2017 –  When it is Safe – Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Irma are Strongly Encouraged to Complete Business Damage Assessment Survey – The State’s Emergency Response Team (SERT) is assessing the ongoing damage caused by Hurricane Irma. Small businesses that have incurred losses are encouraged to complete the Business Damage Assessment Survey on The Florida Virtual Business Emergency Operations Center website at www.flvbeoc.org. This is not an application for disaster assistance. The survey will help SERT determine the needs and level of assistance for impacted businesses, including activation of the Emergency Bridge Loan Program and federal assistance, and help expedite implementation.

9/7/2017 – Florida SBDC Network Urges Businesses to Prepare for Hurricane Irma
The Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance, urges business owners to prepare for Hurricane Irma, an extremely dangerous Category 5 storm that has caused widespread destruction across the Caribbean. read more

Stay Informed

  • 850-815-4925 – The Private Sector Hotline has been activated by the state for business inquiries about the storm, preparedness information, and post-impact information.
  • 800-342-3557 – The Florida Emergency Information Line (FEIL) is a toll-free hotline activated at the time of an emergency to provide an additional resource for those in Florida to receive accurate and up-to-date information regarding an emergency or disaster situation impacting the State of Florida. FEIL line is currently activated and available 24 hours/7 days a week.
  • www.FloridaDisaster.org – The state’s official source of general and specific information for individuals and businesses about Hurricane Irma from the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
  • www.FloridaDisaster.org/DEMbusiness.asp – the Florida Division of Emergency Management Business Toolkit.
  • Florida 511 – Information on roadway conditions and closures is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on Florida 511. Drivers may dial 511 from their mobile phones to receive updates. 511 is a free resource, however, cell phone minutes and text message charges may apply. Updates are also available on the web at www.FL511.com.
  • 866-9-NO-SCAM – Attorney General Bondi Activates Price Gouging Hotline.
  • Statewide Private Sector Re-Entry Program – Businesses should be aware that local authorities will require employees seeking re-entry to impacted areas to provide a driver’s license or passport, proof of employment or a letter on company letterhead, and proof of a demonstrated need to enter the area, such as a work order or employer authorization. For more information, please click here.

Additional Resources