Updated 10/31/24
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) opened Mobile Disaster Recovery Center locations in Palm Beach County to provide one-on-one help to those affected by Hurricane Milton. Survivors of Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Debby can also be served by the centers. See the schedule below for locations and hours of operation. FEMA does not distribute cash at disaster recovery centers.
https://discover.pbcgov.org/Lists/Newsroom/NewsDispForm.aspx?ID=5905
Amendment of Hurricane Helene Emergency Order &
Hurricane Milton Emergency Order:
Extension of Grace Periods; Limitations on Cancellations and Nonrenewals.
Governor Ron DeSantis provided updates for Florida policyholders following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The update includes the amendment of an existing order, and issuance of an additional emergency order by the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) to protect policyholders impacted by the storms.
Floridians seeking assistance with insurance-related questions should visit the Department of Financial Services Consumer Services website or call the DFS Consumer Services Assistance Line at 1-877-693-5236. The line is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.
Building Permit Fees WaivedWhat you need to know:
The temporary permit fee waiver covers building permit fees for repairs related to structural damage caused by the Hurricane Milton and related severe weather, providing financial relief to those facing hurricane-related hardships. The waiver applies to permit applications submitted to the County's Building Division from October 14, 2024 - April 14, 2025, unless extended by the Board of County Commissioners.
Please note that all other building application requirements, including licensing, insurance, inspections, and any other fees or conditions mandated by law, remain in effect.
For more information or assistance, call 561-233-5001, email PZB-Miltoninfo@pbc.gov, or visit pbc.gov/pzb.
Contractor/Consumer Resources: Emergency Order
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation: https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/emergency/#1665162701360-20028cd3-9c37
The emergency order waives the requirement for certified or registered general, building, or residential contractors to subcontract roofing work for the repair or installation of any roof type in listed counties.
- While the emergency order is in effect, registered contractors are not subject to geographic scope limitations or requirements when providing services in listed counties, subject to additional requirements outlined in the emergency order.
- The emergency order clarifies that the installation of non-permanent emergency tarps to relieve damage caused by Hurricane Ian falls within the exemptions listed in section 489.103(6).
Fact Sheet: DBPR Emergency Order 2022-03
Fact Sheet: Contractor Responsibilities and Prohibited Property Insurance Practices
Florida Disaster Contractors Network
DBPR is a founding partner of the Disaster Contractors Network (DCN), a contractor-verified clearinghouse that connects individuals with building professionals to address storm-related construction and repairs. Once homeowners are safely able to assess their home repair needs, they are encouraged to log onto DCNOnline.org and search by county for a list of Florida-licensed contractors providing these services in their local community.
Emergency Order at 10.01.2022 DBPR EMERGENCY ORDER 2022-03
Multi-Agency Resource Center
Palm Beach County and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) are establishing a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) for individuals impacted by Hurricane Milton. The MARC will be staffed with personnel from federal, state, and local partners and non-profit agencies to ensure residents have access to all available resources following the storm events.
The MARC will open at Village Park Gym Room 1B, 11700 Pierson Road, Wellington, FL 33414, and hours of operations are 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. The MARC will open at 8 A.M. on October 19. The MARC is open to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits seeking assistance or needing help in completing applications after being impacted by Hurricane Milton.
Invited agencies include Veteran Affairs, Florida Commerce, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, DCF with mental health counselors and Hope Florida, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Office of Insurance Regulation, and Elder Affairs. There will also be contractors from Indelible. They are representing the State to help register people on tablets and laptops with FEMA. The Palm Beach County Long Term Recovery Coalition partners, such as United Way of PBC, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, and The American Red Cross, will be present at the center.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at
DisasterAssistance.gov, calling 1-800-621- 3362, or using the
FEMA App.
Hurricane Milton Property Damage Assistance
Residents of unincorporated Palm Beach County, we're here to help if Hurricane Milton damaged your property.
How to Get Assistance:
Please provide your name, address, contact information, reason for inquiry, and a description of the damage. Your inquiry will be directed to the appropriate team member for expedited assistance. Types of assistance provided include permits, inspections, status checks, and more.
Our goal is to assist victims of Hurricane Milton efficiently and expediently.
Online services at the Palm Beach County
Planning, Zoning and Building Department:
Emergency repair work can be started immediately by a licensed and insured contractor applying for a permit within 24 hours. For more information, including items NOT requiring a permit, visit our website: pbc.gov/building.
Beware of Unlicensed Contractors
By law, all Florida contractors must be licensed and insured. To avoid unlicensed contractors preying on storm victims, please take the following steps before hiring a contractor:
Confirm they are licensed and insured:
Warning Signs a Contractor may be unlicensed:
- Door-to-door solicitation and/or requiring a large down payment before beginning the work
- If a contractor asks the property owner to pull a permit
- Refuses to provide a written contract
- Unable to provide a Certificate of Insurance
- Advertisements that do not include the contractor license number
Call 866-9NO-SCAM or 561-233-5525 to report unlicensed activity
Business Support
Florida has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $50 million available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Milton, including Palm Beach County. Florida small business owners needing assistance are encouraged to visit
FloridaJobs.org/EBL [floridajobs.org] to apply for the program.
Eligible small businesses may apply for loans of up to $50,000 through the program. Loans of up to $100,000 are available for agriculture and aquaculture small businesses, and loans of up to $150,000 are available for citrus and cattle operations. Loans approved through the Emergency Bridge Loan Program are intended to “bridge the gap" between when a disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer-term recovery funding, such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims, or other resources.
The program provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Milton. Interested applicants can apply through Dec. 4 or until all available funds are expended.
Operation Blue Roof
Operation Blue Roof is available to residents impacted by Hurricane Milton as a free service for homeowners and permanently occupied rental properties. It provides fiber-reinforced, industrial-strength sheeting to protect storm-damaged roofs until homeowners can make permanent repairs. Visit blueroof.gov or call 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258).
Insurance Resources
Price Gouging
If you notice unusually high prices on items like food, water, gas, or hotel rooms, you can report them to the state attorney general. The number to call is 866-966-7226.
Solid Waste Authority
The SWA asks residents not in a tornado-impacted area to place their waste to the curb as usual by putting no more than 6 cubic yards of vegetation and 3 bulk items out on their regularly scheduled collection day.
Residents living in a tornado-impacted area have storm-related damage; in accordance with
Palm Beach County Ordinance 2019-002 (PDF), the 6-cubic-yard curbside limit for vegetation
does not apply.
United Way Palm Beach County
In light of the recent tornadoes caused by Hurricane Milton, United Way of Palm Beach County is mobilizing our efforts to support those affected in our community.