United We Prepare & Respond
United Ways across Florida, as part of the United Way of Florida network, play a vital role in helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. Living in a state that faces frequent hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters means recovery doesn’t stop when the immediate crisis ends—it often takes months or years to rebuild lives and restore stability.
Through coordinated efforts at the local, state, and national levels, United Ways connect individuals, families, and communities with critical long-term recovery resources, including housing, mental health support, financial assistance, and family stability programs.
Whether you’re seeking help or looking to support those impacted, these resources ensure that every Floridian has the opportunity to recover, rebuild, and thrive.
State and National Disaster Resources
Sign up for public safety notifications
Feeding Florida
To find your local food bank, visit Find Food Now
Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline
The Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline is available to eligible residents living in Florida or who have a legal issue pending in Florida. To apply for services, call (833) 514-2940, available 24 hours a day. If your matter is not an emergency, you can also apply online anytime.
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Disaster Updates | Florida Disaster
Plan & Prepare | Florida Disaster
State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) is a toll-free hotline activated at the time of an emergency to provide an additional resource for those in Florida to receive accurate and up-to-date information regarding an emergency or disaster situation impacting the State of Florida. The SAIL hotline is: 1-800-342-3557
Florida Department of Health Special Needs Shelter Program
Special needs shelters are designed to meet the needs of persons who require assistance that exceeds services provided at a general population shelter. A special needs shelter is a place to go when there is no other sheltering option. Shelters may be activated during an emergency event to provide care for people who cannot safely remain in their home.Register here.
Disability Resources in Florida: Find Local Services & Support Groups
Disability services in Florida are designed to support individuals with disabilities by providing a range of programs and resources aimed at improving their quality of life.
Florida VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster)
Volunteer Connect powered by Volunteer Florida
CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) - Find a CERT Program
SERT (State Emergency Response Team)
Florida Price Gouging Hotline
Report price gouging to (866) 9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226).
American Red Cross – download mobile phone app – Stay safe during emergencies with expert tips & useful tools
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness & Response (ASPR)
National Weather Service - Weather Prediction Center
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-Emergency Preparedness
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362
To register your organization’s services, visit Crisis Cleanup
Florida Department of Health Caregiver Resources
Offers guidance and information for caregivers in Florida, including health, safety, and wellness tips for those providing care to older adults, individuals with disabilities, or family members with chronic conditions.
Ready.gov Disaster Preparedness Guide for Caregivers
A federal guide designed to help caregivers plan ahead for emergencies. Includes checklists, communication plans, and practical steps to keep loved ones safe before, during, and after a disaster.
4 Free Tools to Help Caregivers Prepare for Emergencies
Highlights easy-to-use tools and apps that assist caregivers in creating emergency plans, organizing health information, and staying connected during crises.
Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults
Provides strategies and resources focused on the unique needs of older adults during disasters, including medication planning, mobility support, and ways to maintain independence and safety.
Humane Society. The Humane Society maintains a national hotline for reporting lost pets, 1-800-HUMANE or 1-800-486-2631. For more information on disaster preparedness and pets, visit the Humane Society.
PetFinder. If you find someone's pet or have lost your pet during a disaster, you can report the found animal or search for you pet using PetFinder.
Make a Pet Plan: Make a Pet Plan | Florida Disaster
Disaster Distress Helpline
The Disaster Distress Helpline provides immediate crisis counseling for people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. This free, confidential service is available 24/7. Call or text 1-800-985-5990 to connect with trained counselors, or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 for support in English (text “Hablanos” for Spanish).
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
988 is the nationwide number for mental health, substance use, and suicide crises. You can call or text 988 or chat via 988lifeline.org to connect with trained counselors who provide free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Florida 211
211 is a free, confidential service that connects people across Florida with local resources for essential needs such as food, housing, healthcare, child care, mental health, and financial assistance. Simply dial 2-1-1, text your ZIP code to 898-211, or visit 211.org to connect with a trained specialist available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
