Official Lee County Government Web Site

Long Term Disaster Recovery

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VISION: "To recover from disaster and empower disaster-affected citizens in their full recovery."

At the core of the helping process is an appreciation for the survivor's capacity to take responsibility for the recovery work. The premise of empowerment is that those affected by disaster have within their scope the resources necessary to adjust to their "new normal." For many, the most valuable resources are not financial, but rather human resources - case managers.

On August 13, 2004, Hurricane Charley, brought significant damage to utilities, mobile home parks, and roofs in parts of Lee County. Organizations such as Lee County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), United Way of Lee County, American Red Cross, FEMA, The Salvation Army and others strived to address the immediate needs (food, water, ice, shelter) of those most affected. As the response and recovery process unfolded, it became obvious that it would take a more than a few weeks to get back to a pre-storm existence. Then, a little over a year later, on October 24, 2005, Hurricane Wilma struck our community to further damage homes that were already in disrepair.

In January of 2005, the Lee County Department of Human Services, in partnership with United Way of Lee County, The Salvation Army, American Red Cross. Senior Friendship, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, United Methodist Committee On Relief, Goodwill Industries, and The Workforce Development Board formed the Long Term Recovery Committee (LTRC). The LTRC was designed to prepare a Disaster Recovery Plan that would provide for the long-term unmet needs of those affected by a declared disaster. Through the efforts of all agency's involved, under the direction of the LTRC, case managers were brought in to work with the disaster survivor's to establish a plan of recovery... Long-Term Disaster Recovery Guidelines.

Since the Committee formed, other agencies joined the effort. With the addition of new partners an Executive Committee, Chaired by the Department of Human Services, was created. The following agencies make up the Executive Committee:

American Red Cross

Area Agency on Aging

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC)

Church World Service

City of Bonita Springs

City of Fort Myers

City of Cape Coral

City of Sanibel

Department of Children and Families (DCF)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

First United Methodist Church

Harry Chapin Food Bank (America's Harvest)

Lee County Emergency Management

Salvation Army

Senator Bill Nelson's Office

Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board, Inc.

State of Florida Disaster Housing (SERT)

Town of Fort Myers Beach

United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR)

United Way

VOLUNTEERS served as one of our most important resources. They enabled us to stretch our funding and grant money to assist more of our citizens that were affected by the Hurricanes.

To volunteer your time or talent to the on-going preparation and recovery effort, please contact the United Way of Lee County (211), or print and fill out our Volunteer Application - fax to Patricia Howell @239-533-7960. Your application will be directed to the Long Term Recovery Committee and you will be contacted.

If you are a disaster survivor in need of assistance, please call 239-533-7900 Option #8. Leave a detailed message, and your call will be returned within a 24-hour period.

Other Helpful Links

My Safe Florida - Be informed. Be prepared. Be protected.

Lee County Recovery Brochure - Important local information to aid you in recovery.

Apply for FEMA - What to do after a loss: the Disaster Assistance Process for Individuals & Families.

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