Army Emergency Relief remains steadfast in its long-standing commitment to meet the needs of the 21st Century Soldier and Family during a crisis. Many Army Families in Florida are in the projected path of Hurricane Ian and may be impacted by its catastrophic storm surges, extreme winds and flash flooding. Along with widespread power outages, many may also experience damages to personal property, which will add to the crisis. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 24 Florida counties that could potentially fall in the path of Hurricane Ian, which is projected to become a Category 3 Hurricane.
AER is providing Soldiers and U.S. Army Families in the affected area — including those activated to support hurricane relief efforts — with financial assistance for travel-related expenses associated with returning to an evacuated home, basic essential needs to sustain oneself during recovery and any other essential needs associated with restoration that affect life, health or safety.
The state of emergency affects the following counties in Florida:
- Brevard
- Broward
- Charlotte
- Collier
- DeSoto
- Glades
- Hardee
- Hendry
- Highlands
- Hillsborough
- Indian River
- Miami-Dade
- Lee
- Manatee
- Martin
- Monroe
- Okeechobee
- Osceola
- Palm Beach
- Pasco
- Pinellas
- Polk
- Sarasota
- St. Lucie
Those eligible for AER disaster assistance are:
- Soldiers on Active Duty and their eligible Family Members;
- Soldiers Retired from Active Duty because of longevity and their eligible Family Members;
- Retired Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers receiving retired pay and their Family Members;
- Medically Retired Soldiers and their dependents, including both those placed on the Permanent Disability Retired List or Temporary Disability Retirement List;
- Surviving Spouses and Children of Soldiers who died while on Active Duty (including those on Title 10 Orders) or in an eligible Retired status;
- Members of the Reserve Component of the Army (National Guard and Army Reserve under Title 10 U.S.C) on continuous Active Duty for more than 30 consecutive days and their eligible Family Members;
- Title 10, Title 32 and TPU Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers NOT mobilized, or are mobilized for LESS THAN 30 consecutive days and those activated in support of Hurricane Ian relief efforts.
To find out more, contact your local AER Office, fill out our Contact Us form or check out the Hurricane Ian Disaster Assistance Bulletin.