Once Hurricane Ian leaves Brevard, where can residents turn for help?
Long before Hurricane Ian made landfall Wednesday afternoon, plans were in motion to assist in recovery efforts in communities across Florida.
Once such a damaging storm has passed, immediate help comes from disaster response agencies like the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Insurance adjusters will begin evaluation of damage and communities will start to make repairs.
What options are there for those who can’t afford the cost of even basic home damage, from a roof tarp to downed trees?
One outlet: Crisis Cleanup. It's a collaborative disaster work order management platform which sets up a hotline for each storm, with damages posted on an online dashboard. Local community and relief groups, along with faith communities, sign up to pitch in.
Here in Brevard, teams like the LDS Helping Hands come in after the storm and choose projects from Crisis Cleanup, said Keith Heinly, whose nonprofit, Case Management Services of Brevard, includes disaster case management among its services.
More: What to expect when: Hurricane Ian to bring more wind, rain and the threat of tornadoes overnight
Crisis Cleanup crews handle, at no charge, services such as tarping, mold mitigation, cutting downed trees, and drywall, flooring and appliance removal. Services are free, but not guaranteed due to demand. Requests can be made post-storm at 800-451-1954.
"Crisis Cleanup has made the response to storms much more efficient," said Heinly. "Volunteer teams that are deployed to help can choose their projects right from the site."
On the Space Cost, if and when the need arises to address more widespread damage, United Way of Brevard makes the determination to activate the Brevard Long-Term Recovery Coalition (BLTRC) to help low-income residents return to safe and secure living conditions, said Rob Rains, United Way president.
United Way oversees and is the fiscal agent for the BLTRC, which was created following the 2004 hurricanes.
BLTRC uses grants, donations and volunteers to help make the necessary repairs, with case management working with each client — sometimes, for multiple years.
“Americans naturally feel compelled to act after a natural disaster," said Rains.
"Please know, the best way to really help is to make a donation to a reputable relief fund. Relief organizations can use your money to buy in bulk at wholesale prices the truly needed items; and they have distribution systems to get those supplies directly to the areas that need it most.”
BLTRC has activated numerous times since 2005 but most recently, after Irma, Dorian and Matthew, said Rains.
The help is varied and critical.
Post-Hurricane Irma the BLTRC completed 34 major projects such as roof replacements and 140 other minor repairs.
Before, during and after Hurricane Irma, United Way
Secured more than a half million dollars worth of items to assist hurricane victims and positioned additional food and water at our local food pantries and sharing centers.
Spent 180 hours answering calls at the Emergency Operations Center for 211 Brevard pre-and post-storm.
Recruited and coordinated over 400 volunteers to tackle 2,200 requests for help with tree and debris removal and roof tarping.
Provided case management to storm shelter clients and at the local Disaster Recovery Center.
Established the Hurricane Irma Fund to support those who were already struggling to make ends meet. And secured an additional $160,000 in grant funding to help community recovery.
Information on Brevard Long-Term Recovery Coalition services would be made available when and if the BLTRC is activated.
Contact Kennerly at bkennerly@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @bybrittkennerly Facebook: /bybrittkennerly. Local journalism like this needs your support. Consider subscribing to your local newspaper. See our current offers.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: After a storm passes: Where can Brevard residents turn for help?
