Making landfall on September 28 as a strong Category 4 hurricane in Southwest Florida, Hurricane Ian caused devastation in its path. With wind gusts of up to 140 mph, and rainfall up to 31 inches, the storm caused severe flooding and roofing damage to homes in an area already facing an affordable housing shortage. The damage was felt as far inland as Orlando, and rural areas of Polk, Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties where almost every neighborhood was impacted by flooding and wind damage.

 

While many non-profit and government organizations are mobilizing now, few are likely to be there long-term to meet the repair needs of Floridians on fixed incomes. Rebuilding Together will establish a presence in the communities impacted and will be there for the long haul to help make Florida home again for those impacted by the storm.

 

Through a coordinated approach by Rebuilding Together’s national office, our Florida affiliates are responding to the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian. With efforts led on the ground by Rebuilding Together Central Florida and Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay and support from Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade, Rebuilding Together Broward County, Rebuilding Together North Central Florida and Rebuilding Together of the Palm Beaches, we are responding with short and long-term rebuilding efforts for low-income families impacted by the hurricane.

 

We have an established presence with strong relationships that positions us to provide repair services to uninsured or underinsured low-income families, older adults, veterans and people with disabilities. We are working in the city of Orlando, OBT, Orange County, Osceola County, Seminole County, Volusia County, Polk County, and Lake County.

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In the short term, we will work to muck and gut homes that were flooded and tarp roofs that were damaged. We will be working long-term to bring displaced low-income community residents back home and help those whose home suffered damage during the storms.