Who should I call for help in an emergency during a hurricane?
A tropical storm or hurricane of any strength can cause a chaotic situation when we least expect it, so it's best to prepare for emergencies ahead of time. Here's a list of contacts in Florida as well as local phone numbers and websites organized by county in alphabetical order.
Florida emergency phone numbers and websites
Police/fire emergencies: Call 911
American Red Cross (national): 800-RED-CROS (1-800-733-2767); prompt 4, https://www.redcross.org
AT&T/DirecTV: https://www.att.com/outages
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov
Comcast/Xfinity: https://www.xfinity.com/support/status
Community Emergency Response Teams: https://www.ready.gov/cert
Disaster Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990, https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
Elder Help Line: 1-800-963-5337, https://www.elderaffairs.org
FCC/FEMA tips for communicating during an emergency: https://www.fcc.gov/emergency
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): 1-800-621-3362, https://www.fema.gov
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program: 1-800-611-6122, https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance
FEMA (TTY for hearing-impaired): 1-800-462-7585
How to sign up for text alerts to find a shelter near you: Text SHELTER to 4FEMA (43362)
Flood insurance: https://www.floodsmart.gov
Florida City Gas: 888-352-5325, https://www.floridacitygas.com/
Florida Department of Elder Affairs: 850-414-2000, https://www.elderaffairs.org
Florida Department of Environmental Protection: 850-245-2118
Florida Department of Financial Services: 877-693-5236, https://www.myfloridacfo.com
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT): 511, https://fl511.com
Florida Division of Emergency Management:
850-815-4000, https://www.floridadisaster.com
Florida Division of Insurance Fraud: 850-413-3115, https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/difs/insurance-fraud
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: 850-488-4676
Florida Highway Patrol (from any cellphone): *FHP
Florida Lightning Safety: https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning
Florida Power & Light (FPL): 800-468-8243; https://www.fpl.com
Florida Power & Light (FPL) customer service: 1-888-988-8249
Florida Price Gouging Hotline: 866-966-7226
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety: https://www.disastersafety.org/hurricane
Mid-Florida American Red Cross: 352-314-0883, https://www.redcross.org/local/florida/central-florida/about-us/locations/mid-florida.html
Mobile or Manufactured Home Residents: 850-617-3004, https://www.flhsmv.gov/mobilehome
National Hurricane Center: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: https://www.noaa.gov
National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/
Small Business Administration: 1-800-827-5722, https://www.sba.gov
State Assistance Information Hotline (active during disasters): 1-800-342-3557, https://www.floridadisaster.com
State of Florida TDD Number for Hearing Impaired: 863-834-8333
StormReady: https://www.weather.gov/stormready
U.S. Department of Homeland Security: https://www.dhs.gov
Hurricane shelters: Where can I find hurricane shelters open near me in Florida?
Emergency phone numbers and websites by county
Alachua County
Alachua County Emergency Management: 352-264-6500
Alachua County Rumor Control Line: 352-264-6557
Gainesville Emergency Management: 352-334-5078
Gainesville Police Department: 352-955-1818
Gainesville Fire Rescue: 352-334-5078
Gainesville Public Works (knocked down trees, blocked roads, flooding, sandbags): 352-393-8161
Gainesville Regional Transit System (RTS): 352-334-2600
Gainesville Solid Waste Department: 352-334-2330
GRU Customer Service: 352-334-3434
Internet help desk: 352-334-3000
Local emergency information (only when activated): 311
Natural gas emergencies: 352-334-2550
Power outages/downed power lines: 352-334-2871
Shelter assistance: Text 'Alachua' to the number 888777, https://www.AlachuaCountyReady.com
Red Cross, North Central Florida Chapter: 352-376-4669
Water/wastewater emergencies: 352-334-2711
Baker County
Baker County Emergency Management: 904-259-6111, https://www.BakerCountySheriffsOffice.com/emergency-management
Bay County
Bay County Sheriff's Office: 850-747-4700
Gulf Power emergency: 1-800-487-6937, https://www.gulfpower.com
Panama City Beach Police Department: 850-233-5000
Panama City Police Department: 850-872-3112
Springfield Police Department: 850-872-7545
Brevard County
2-1-1 helpline, 24-hour: 2-1-1 or 321-632-6688, https://www.211brevard.org
Aging Matters in Brevard: 321-639-8770, https://agingmattersbrevard.org/
Brevard County Crime Tip Line: 800-423-8477
Brevard County Emergency Management Office: 321-637-6670
https://www.brevardfl.gov/emergencymanagement/home/
How to sign up for text message alerts: Text BrevardEOC to 888777, http://www.brevardfl.gov/EmergencyManagement/AlertSignup
Brevard County Fire Rescue (non-emergency): 321-633-2056
Brevard County Sheriff's Office, Central Area: 321-633-7162
Brevard County Sheriff's Office, North Area: 321-264-5100
Brevard County Sheriff's Office, South Area: 321-952-6371
National Weather Service, Melbourne: 321-255-0212, https://www.weather.gov/mlb/
Red Cross, Space Coast chapter: 321-890-1002
Special-needs emergency help: 321-637-6670, http://www.brevardfl.gov/EmergencyManagement/BePrepared/Step3HaveAPlan/SpecialNeeds
United Way of Brevard: 321-631-2740
Clay County
Clay County Emergency Management: 1-877-252-9362, https://www.ClayCountygov.com/community/emergency-management
Collier County
American Red Cross, Fort Myers: 239-278-3401
American Sign Language Preparedness Videos: https://www.leegov.com/publicsafety
Arson Alert Hotline: 800-342-5869
Collier County Animal Services: 239-252-7387
Collier County Bureau of Emergency Services: 239-252-3600
Collier County EMS: 239-252-3740, 911
Collier County Government Center: 239-252-8999
Collier County Sheriff’s Office: 239-774-4434
Florida Health Department — Collier County: 239-389-5050, 239-252-7300
Greater Naples Fire Rescue District: 239-348-7540
Immokalee Fire Control District: 239-657-2111
Marco Island Fire Department: 239-389-5040
Marco Island Police Department (non-emergency): 239-389-5050
Naples Police Department: 239-213-4844
National Weather Service, Tampa Bay Area: 813-645-2323, https://www.weather.gov/tbw
NCH Community Blood Center: 239-624-4120
North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District: 239-597-3222
Oneblood: 1-888-9-DONATE
Poison Information: 800-222-1222
Salvation Army: 239-278-1551
United Way of Collier County: 239-261-7112
Duval County
Beaches Energy Services: 904-247-6171, https://www.beachesenergy.com
City of Jacksonville: 904-630-CITY (2489)
Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA): 904-665-6000, https://www.jea.com/outage
Jacksonville Transit Authority (JTA): 904-630-3100, https://www.jtafla.com
United Way of Northeast Florida: 211 or 904-390-3200, https://www.unitedwaynefl.org
Salvation Army: 904-356-8641, https://www.SalvationArmyFlorida.org/jacksonville-ac
City of Jacksonville Emergency Preparedness Division: 904-255-3110, https://www.jaxready.com
Northeast Florida Red Cross: 904-358-8091 or 1-888-843-5748, https://www.redcross.org/local/florida/north-florida.html
National Weather Service, Jacksonville: 904-741-4370, https://www.weather.gov/jax
Escambia County
Escambia County Sheriff's Office: 850-436-9630
Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida: 850-435-3516
Children's Home Society of Florida: 850-266-2700
Gulf Power emergency: 1-800-487-6937; https://www.gulfpower.com
Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen: 850-438-7616
Milton Police Department: 850-983-5420
Pensacola Police Department: 850-435-1900
The Salvation Army: 850-432-1501
United Way of West Florida: 850-434-3157
United Ministries of Pensacola: 850-433-2333
Waterfront Rescue Mission: 850-478-4027
Flagler County
Flagler County Emergency Management: 386-313-4200, https://www.flaglercounty.gov/departments/emergency-services/emergency-management
Flagler County Sheriff's Office: 386-437-4116, https://www.flaglersheriff.com
Flagler County Utilities: 386-313-4192, https://www.flaglercounty.gov
Indian River County
City of Fellsmere: 772-571‑1616, https://www.cityoffellsmere.org
City of Vero Beach: 772-978-5151, https://www.covb.org
Fellsmere Police Department: 772-646-6309, https://www.cityoffellsmere.org/police
Indian River County Emergency Management: 772-226-3900, https://www.ircgov.com/emergencyservices
Indian River County Fire Rescue: 772-226-3993, https://www.ircgov.com/emergencyservices/firerescue
Indian River County government: 772-567-8000, https://www.ircgov.com
Indian River County Sheriff’s Office: 772-569-6700, https://www.ircsheriff.org
Indian River County Utilities: 772-770-5300, https://www.ircgov.com/utilities
National Weather Service, Melbourne: 321-255-0212, https://www.weather.gov/mlb/
Red Cross, Vero Beach office: 772-562-2549
School District of Indian River County: 772-564-3000, https://www.indianriverschools.org
Sebastian Police Department: 772-589-5233, https://www.sebastianpd.org
Vero Beach Police Department: 772-978-4600, https://www.vbpd.org
Lake County
City of Leesburg Electric: 352-728-9800 or 352-728-9830; https://www.leesburgflorida.gov/electric
City of Mount Dora Electric: 352-735-7151 or 352-735-7141; https://www.ci.mount-dora.fl.us/953/Electric-Utility
Clay Electric Co-op: 352-685-2111 or 800-224-4917 or 888-434-9844; https://www.clayelectric.com
Duke Energy: 1-800-700-8744 or 1-800-228-8485; https://www.duke-energy.com
Lake County Elder Help Line: 1-800-262-2243
Lake County Office of Emergency Management: 352-343-9420, https://www.lakecountyfl.gov/emergency-management
Special needs shelter registries: 352-742-4850, https://www.lakecountyfl.gov/emergency-management/special-needs-program
National Weather Service, Melbourne: 321-255-0212, https://www.weather.gov/mlb/
Sumter Electric Cooperative: 1-800-732-6141, https://www.secoenergy.com
Sumter Electric, Eustis Office: 352-357-5600
Sumter Electric, Groveland Office: 352-429-2195
Sumter Electric, Sumterville Office: 352-793-3801
Lee County
American Red Cross, Fort Myers: 239-278-3401
American Sign Language Preparedness Videos: https://www.leegov.com/publicsafety
Arson Alert Hotline: 800-342-5869
Cape Coral Emergency Management: 239-573-3022
Cape Coral Police Department (non-emergency): 239-574-3223
Florida Health Department — Lee County: 239-332-9501
Fort Myers Police Department: 239-321-7700
Lee County Domestic Animal Services: 239-533-7387
Lee County Emergency Information Hotline/United Way 211: 239-433-2000
Lee County Emergency Management: 239-533-0622
Lee County government: 239-533-2111
Lee County Public Safety & EMS: 239-533-3911 & 911
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: 239-477-1000
Lee Health Blood Center: 239-343-2333
Oneblood: 1-888-9-DONATE
National Weather Service, Tampa Bay Area: 813-645-2323, https://www.weather.gov/tbw
Poison Information: 800-222-1222
Salvation Army: 239-278-1551
Sanibel Police Department: 239-472-3111
United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades & Okeechobee Counties: 239-433-2000, 211
Leon County
Duke Energy: 1-800-228-8485
Leon County Emergency Management: 850-606-3700
Leon County Hurricane Guide: https://www2.leoncountyfl.gov/haveahurricaneplan/
Report electric outages: 850-891-4YOU (4968), https://www.talgov.com/outage
Talquin Electric: 1-866-899-4832 (automated system) or 1-888-802-1832 (live operator), https://www.talquinelectric.com
Manatee County
American Red Cross, Southwest Florida: 941-379-9300
American Red Cross, Tampa Bay: 813-348-4820, https://www.redcross.org/local/florida/central-florida.html
Elder Help Line in Manatee County: 941-742-5818
Manatee County Emergency Management: 941-749-3500, https://www.mymanatee.org/departments/public_safety/emergency_management
National Weather Service, Tampa Bay Area: 813-645-2323, https://www.weather.gov/tbw
Special Needs Shelter Registry, Manatee County: 941-749-3500, https://www.mymanatee.org/departments/public_safety/emergency_management/special_needs_registry
Senior Choices of Southwest Florida: 239-652-6900 or 866-413-5337, https://www.aaaswfl.org
Marion County
American Red Cross, Gainesville: 352-376-4669
Belleview Police Department: 352-245-7044 or 352-732-9111
City of Ocala: 352-351-6666, http://www.ocalaelectric.org
Clay Electric: 1-888-434-9844, https://www.clayelectric.com/
Duke Energy: 1-800-228-8485, https://www.duke-energy.com/home
Dunnellon Police Department: 352-465-8510
Marion County Sheriff's Office: 352-732-9111
Marion County Emergency Management: 352-369-7500
Marion County government: https://www.marioncountyfl.org
Ocala Police Department: 352-369-7070
Road flooding in City of Belleview: 352-245-7021
Road flooding in City of Dunnellon: 352-465-8590
Road flooding in Marion County: 352-671-8686
Road flooding in City of Ocala: 352-629-CITY (2489)
Salvation Army Center of Hope, Ocala: 352-732-8326
Sumter Electric Cooperative (SECO): 1-800-732-6141, https://www.secoenergy.com/
United Way helpline, social service assistance: 211
Withlacoochee River Electric: 352-567-5133, https://www.wrec.net/
Martin County
City of Stuart: 772-288-5300, https://www.cityofstuart.com
Disabled transportation help, Martin County: 772-287-1652, https://www.martin.fl.us/SpecialNeeds
Hearing impaired (TTY/TTD), Martin County: 911
Martin County Emergency Management: 772-287-1652, https://www.martin.fl.us/EM
Martin County Fire Rescue: 772-288-5710, https://www.martin.fl.us/FireRescue
Martin County government: 772-288-5400, https://www.martin.fl.us
Martin County School District: 772-219-1200, https://www.martinschools.org
Martin County Sheriff’s Office: 772-220-7000, https://www.sheriff.martin.fl.us
Martin County Utilities: 772-221-1434, https://www.martin.fl.us/UtilitiesInfo
National Weather Service, Melbourne: 321-255-0212, https://www.weather.gov/mlb/
Red Cross, Martin County: 772-287-2002, https://www.redcross.org/local/florida/south-florida.html
Special needs hurricane shelters, Martin County: 772-287-1652
Stuart Fire Rescue: 772-288-5360, https://www.cityofstuart.us/188/Fire-Rescue
Stuart Police Department: 772-287-1122, https://www.cityofstuart.com/police
Nassau County
Nassau County Emergency Management: 904-548-0900 or 1-844-330-9163, https://www.onenassau.com
Okaloosa County
Crestview Police Department: 850-682-3544
Fort Walton Beach Police Department: 850-833-9546
Gulf Power emergency: 1-800-487-6937, https://www.gulfpower.com
Niceville Police Department: 850-729-4030
Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office: 850-651-7410
Shalimar Police Department: 850-651-1115
Valparaiso Police Department: 850-729-5400
Palm Beach County
Emergency manager, Palm Beach County: 561-712-6400, https://www.pbcgov.com/dem
Hearing impaired (TTY/TTD), Palm Beach County: 561-712-6342
Special needs hurricane shelters, Palm Beach County: 561-712-6400
Disabled transportation help, Palm Beach County: 561-649-9848, https://www.palmtran.org/connection/
Red Cross, Palm Beach County: 561-833-7711 or 800-RED-CROS (800-733-2767), https://www.redcross.org/local/florida/south-florida.html
United Way of Palm Beach County: 211, https://www.unitedwaypbc.org/
Polk County
American Red Cross of Central Florida: 813-348-4820
Auburndale City Hall: 863-965-5530
Auburndale Fire Department: 863-965-5522
Auburndale Police Department: 863-965-5555
Citizens Information Line: 863-401-2234; 863-401-2222; or 866-661-0228 (toll free)
City of Bartow: 863-534-0100
Community Health - Preparedness Office in Bartow: 863-519-7900
Bartow Police Department (non-emergency): 863-534-5034
Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce: 863-533-7125
Haines City Fire Department: 863-421-3611
Haines City Police Department: 863-421-3636
Lakeland Electric, Automated Outage Reporting: 866-834-4248, https://lakelandelectric.com/storms-and-outages
Lakeland Electric, Customer Service Call Center: 863-834-9535
Lakeland Electric, Medically Essential Program: 863-834-1555
Lakeland Electric, Report Fallen Power Lines/Water Outages: 866-834-4248
Lakeland Fire Department (non-emergency): 863-834-8200
Lakeland Police Department (non-emergency): 863-834-6900
City of Lakeland Tree and Lawn Debris Removal: 863-834-8773
Lakeland Water Utilities: 863-834-8316
Lake Wales after hours and water/sewer emergencies: 863-632-2349
Lake Wales City Hall: 863-678-4182
Lake Wales Customer Services: 863-678-4182, ext. 221
Lake Wales Fire Department: 863-678-4203
Lake Wales Police Department: 863-678-4223
Lake Wales Utilities Administration: 863-678-4182, ext. 293
National Weather Service, Tampa Bay Area: 813-645-2323, https://www.weather.gov/tbw
Polk County Animal Services: 863-577-1762
Polk County Emergency Management: 863-298-7000 (local); 800-780-5346 (toll free)
Polk County Red Cross: 863-294-5941
Polk County Sheriff's Office: 863-298-6200
Polk County Special Needs Program (Pre-registration): 863-298-7027
Polk County Utilities: 863-298-4100
Polk County Waste Management and Recycling: 863-284-4319
Public Works/Infrastructure Director James Keene (Transportation, storm water, sanitation, fleet maintenance): 863-421-3777
Rep. Darren Soto Hurricane Resource: 407-452-1171
The Salvation Army: West Polk County: 863-940-9696
The Salvation Army: East Polk County: 863-291-5107
Spectrum Internet Storm Center: 833-267-6094
TECO Energy Power Outages: 877-588-1010
United Way of Central Florida: 211 or 888-370-7188, text Zip Code to 898-211
United Way of Central Florida Crisis Help: 888-370-7188
City of Winter Haven: 863-291-5600
Winter Haven Health Department: 863-519-7542
Winter Haven Housing Authority: 863-294-7369
Winter Haven Police Department: 863-291-5858
Winter Haven Police Department (non-emergency): 863-401-2256
City of Winter Haven Waste Management: 863-291-5756
Winter Haven Water - Maintenance Department: 863-291-5853
Santa Rosa County
Gulf Power emergency: 1-800-487-6937; https://www.gulfpower.com
Milton Police Department: 850-983-5420
Santa Rosa County shelter information: 850-983-4636
Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office: 850-983-1100
Sarasota County
American Red Cross, Southwest Florida: 941-379-9300
American Red Cross, Tampa Bay: 813-348-4820, https://www.redcross.org/local/florida/central-florida.html
National Weather Service, Tampa Bay Area: 813-645-2323, https://www.weather.gov/tbw
Report blocked roadways, downed power lines; evacuation center information: 311
Sarasota County Emergency Management: https://www.scgov.net/government/emergency-services/emergency-management-4420
Sarasota County Medical Needs Program: https://www.scgov.net/government/emergency-services/emergency-management/medical-needs-program
Sarasota County Special Needs Shelter: https://sarasota.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/emergency-preparedness-and-response/special-needs-shelter.html
Senior Choices of Southwest Florida: 239-652-6900 or 866-413-5337, https://www.aaaswfl.org
St. Johns County
Alert St. Johns: Sign up for important community alerts at https://www.alertstjohns.com
Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA): 904-665-6000, https://www.jea.com/outage
National Weather Service, Jacksonville: 904-741-4370, https://www.weather.gov/jax
St. Augustine Beach city government: 904-471-2122, https://www.staugbch.com
St. Augustine Beach Police Department (non-emergency): 904-471-3600
St. Augustine Beach Public Works: 904-471-1119
St. Augustine Fire Department (non-emergency): 904-825-1098
St. Augustine Police (non-emergency): 904-825-1070
St. Augustine Public Works: 904-825-1040, https://www.citystaug.com
St. Johns County Council on Aging: 904-209-3700, https://www.coasjc.org
St. Johns County Emergency Management: 904-824-5550, https://www.sjcemergencymanagement.com
St. Johns County Flood Zone Viewer: https://www.gis.sjcfl.us/floodviewer
St. Lucie County
City of Fort Pierce: 772-467-3000, https://www.cityoffortpierce.com
City of Port St. Lucie: 772-871-5225, https://www.cityofpsl.com
Fort Pierce Police Department: 772-589-5233, https://www.cityoffortpierce.com/1016/Police-Department
Hearing impaired (TTY/TTD), St. Lucie County: 911
Red Cross, St. Lucie County: 772-672-8800, https://www.redcross.org/local/florida/south-florida.html
Special needs hurricane shelters, St. Lucie County: 772-462-8100
Disabled transportation help, St. Lucie County: 772-462-8100, https://www.stlucieco.gov/specialneeds
Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA): 772-466-7703, https://www.fpua.com
St. Lucie County Division of Emergency Management: 772-462-8100, https://www.stlucieco.gov/departments-and-services/public-safety/disaster-preparedness
St. Lucie County government: 772-462-1100, https://www.stlucieco.gov/St. Lucie County
Port St. Lucie Police Department: 772-871-5000, https://www.cityofpsl.com/government/departments/police
St. Lucie County Fire District: 772-621-3400, https://www.slcfd.com
St. Lucie Public Schools: 772-429-3600, https://www.stlucie.k12.fl.us
St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office: 772-462-7300, https://www.stluciesheriff.com
St. Lucie County Utilities: 772-462-1150, https://www.stlucieco.gov/departments-and-services/public-utilities
National Weather Service, Melbourne: 321-255-0212, https://www.weather.gov/mlb/
Volusia County
Citizen Information Hotline, only activated during an emergency: 866-345-0345
Deaf Communications: 386-248-1792
Duke Energy: 800-700-8744, https://www.duke-energy.com
National Weather Service, Jacksonville: 904-741-4370, https://www.weather.gov/jax
National Weather Service, Melbourne: 321-255-0212, https://www.weather.gov/mlb
New Smyrna Beach Utilities: 386-427-1361, https://www.ucnsb.org
Volusia County Emergency Management: 386-736-2700 https://www.volusia.org/services/public-protection/emergency-management
Download Volusia County emergency preparedness app: https://www.volusia.org/PIN
Volusia County Beach Safety: 386-239-7873
Volusia County Sheriff’s Office: 386-736-2700, https://www.volusiasheriff.org
Volusia County Water Resources and Utilities: 386-943-7027 or 386-736-5971, https://www.volusia.org/services/public-works/water-resources-and-utilities
VOTRAN (Transportation) in Daytona Beach: 386-322-5100
VOTRAN (Transportation) in New Smyrna Beach: 386-424-6810
VOTRAN (Transportation) in West Volusia: 386-943-705
Walton County
DeFuniak Springs Police Department: 850-892-8513
Walton County Sheriff's Office: 850-892-8111
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Hurricane season 2022: Emergency contacts, phone numbers in Florida
