FEMA is winding down operations at the Disaster Recovery Center in Ruskin, with doors closing at 7 p.m. today, but for those still seeking assistance in the wake of Hurricanes Milton and Helene, help remains on the horizon. A new center is slated to open at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center located at 3402 N. 22nd St., Tampa, according to HCFL.gov.
The current facility has been an invaluable tool for homeowners and nonprofits alike, providing a place where federal aid applications can be filed, existing ones updated, and information about disaster loans alongside other resources obtained, although the clock is ticking for those needing in-person assistance from the Southshore Regional Service Center. "You do not have to be a Hillsborough County resident to visit the DRC or to receive assistance," the publication reminds those who may be considering a visit before it transitions to the new Tampa location, according to HCFL.gov.
Despite the physical closure of one center, FEMA emphasizes the continuity of help; interested parties can still seek assistance through other avenues including the FEMA website, the FEMA app, or by phone, with multilingual support available and an accessible video guide ready to assist first-time applicants navigating the process of seeking aid. Direct links and instructions are detailed on HCFL.gov, ensuring that the bridge to recovery remains intact despite the shift in resource center locations.
FEMA also supports two additional Multi-Agency Resource Centers at the Gandy Boat Ramp and the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, where federal, state, and regional partners staff the facilities, ensuring individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits hit by the recent hurricanes get comprehensive assistance and the help needed for completing applications, and these centers are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until further notice.
As the community inches toward normalcy post-disasters, FEMA and its partners continue their unwavering commitment to provide critical support. For continuous updates and information on hurricane recovery resources, residents are encouraged to routinely check HCFL.gov/StormRecovery.
