FEMA opens the Naples Recovery Center to help people displaced by Hurricane Milton

NAPLES, Fla – Naples is now home to a new FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), ready to help residents recover from Hurricane Milton. FOX 4 asked FEMA why they are in Collier County when the hardest hit areas from the recent two hurricanes are so far north of here.
Watch community correspondent Austin Schargorodski’s report here…

A steady stream of people visited Thursday and met with FEMA and SBA agents to discuss their recovery needs. Sam Roberts said he came because the insulation and pipes under his home were flooded by a storm surge, just two years after he lost his home to Hurricane Ian.

“If I can’t get it out because it’s all full of water, it’s going to be unhealthy for me to stay there with the potential for black mold and things like that,” Roberts said.

Fortunately, Roberts said coming to the DRC was a crucial step forward. “FEMA will probably be enough to cover the insulation, which is what they gave me. But when that runs out, I can go to the SBA,” Roberts said.

While Naples saw some damage to the coast, most of Milton’s impact hit the provinces to the north. FOX 4 asked FEMA spokesperson Troy York why they opened the center in Naples.

“A lot of folds in the counties north of here, for example Charlotte County, may have had to move out of Charlotte County because of damage to their homes. Because everyone needs alternative housing and there are so few of them, they have had to move further – many are coming this way,” York explained.

At this center, people can apply for disaster assistance, get loan assistance, and access resources from FEMA and other agencies. York notes that many prefer face-to-face over online options.

“It’s easy for them to be guided by the person they’re talking to who has experience with these issues and can help them find the right programs,” York said.

FEMA agents assist residents at the Disaster Recovery Center.

To speed up the process, York suggests bringing ID, proof of residence, and records of losses. Until further notice, this center is open from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily, except Sundays.