• Thursday, December 5, 2024

Committees

General Standing

Disaster and Emergency Preparedness and Response

HURRICANE MILTON UPDATES:  
This webpage will be updated as we receive information for court closures and assistance programs.
Volunteer - 
Helpful Links - 

Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline: (833) 514-2940 (Bay Area Legal Services link)

From The Florida Bar - 

includes important and timely updates on court closures/administrative orders and other resources for lawyers and consumers. Bar have also been sharing helpful news and resources from the courts, clerks, and others.

HOW LAWYERS CAN HELP

To offering office space and legal support services for attorneys and law firms impacted by the recent hurricanes, we have added a for temporary office space or other resources. If you would like to assist, email the offered resources and your contact information to .

The has activated the . Volunteers return calls placed to the YLD’s 1-800 hotline or at FEMA center. Florida Bar members interested in volunteering.

The 100% online pro bono project has added a Hurricane category.

North Carolina State Bar has issued an urgent appeal for legal assistance to help those affected. For Florida lawyers that would like to volunteer, for temporary registration and

Florida lawyers are reminded of Bar rules that prohibit directly soliciting clients in person, by phone, via cold call, or through third parties.

MEMBER BENEFITS ASSISTANCE

Some member benefits of The Florida Bar are offering assistance:

BAR RESOURCES

Florida Bar members can contact the Practice Management Advisors at for free guidance and resources online or by , , and phone at (866) 730-2020. LegalFuel also has free CLEs that can assist with a variety of practice management topics including remote work and cybersecurity assistance. Head to their for additional information.

Florida Bar members and Florida Registered Paralegals can call the Florida Lawyers Helpline 24/7 to speak to mental health professionals at 833-351-9355. This service is free and completely confidential. The includes additional mental health and wellness-related resources.

 
Court Closures -
District CourtDate ClosedCurrent StatusSpecial Instructions
First DCA Open 
Second DCA Open 
Third DCA Open 
Fourth DCA Open 
Fifth DCA Open 
Sixth DCA Open 
 
CountyCircuitDate ClosedCurrent StatusSpecial Instructions
AlachuaEighth Circuit Open 
BakerEighth Circuit Open 
Bay14th Circuit Open 
BradfordEighth Circuit Open 
Brevard18th Circuit Open 
Broward17th Circuit Open 
Calhoun14th Circuit Open 
Charlotte20th Circuit Open 
CitrusFifth Circuit Open 
ClayFourth Circuit Open 
Collier20th Circuit Open 
ColumbiaThird Circuit Open 
DeSoto12th Circuit Open 
DixieThird Circuit Open 
DuvalFourth Circuit Open 
EscambiaFirst Circuit Open 
FlaglerSeventh Circuit Open 
FranklinSecond Circuit Open 
GadsdenSecond Circuit Open 
GilchristEighth Circuit Open 
Glades20th Circuit Open 
Gulf14th Circuit Open 
HamiltonThird Circuit Open 
Hardee10th Circuit Open 
Hendry20th Circuit Open 
HernandoFifth Circuit Open 
Highlands10th Circuit Open 
Hillsborough13th Circuit Open 
Holmes14th Circuit Open 
Indian River19th Circuit Open 
Jackson14th Circuit Open 
JeffersonSecond Circuit Open 
LafayetteThird Circuit Open 
Lake Fifth Circuit Open 
Lee20th Circuit Open 
Leon Second Circuit Open 
LevyEighth Circuit Open 
LibertySecond Circuit Open 
MadisonThird Circuit Open 
Manatee12th Circuit Open 
MarionFifth Circuit Open 
Martin19th Circuit Open 
Miami-Dade11th Circuit Open 
Monroe16th Circuit Open 
NassauFourth Circuit Open 
OkaloosaFirst Circuit Open 
Okeechobee19th Circuit Open 
OrangeNinth Circuit Open 
OsceolaNinth Circuit Open 
Palm Beach15th Circuit Open 
PascoSixth Circuit Open 
PinellasSixth Circuit Open 
Polk10th Circuit Open 
PutnamSeventh Circuit Open 
Santa RosaFirst Circuit Open 
Sarasota12th Circuit Open 
Seminole18th Circuit Open 
St. JohnsSeventh Circuit Open 
St. Lucie19th Circuit Open 
SumterFifth Circuit Open 
SuwanneeThird Circuit Open 
TaylorThird Circuit Open 
UnionEighth Circuit Open 
VolusiaSeventh Circuit Open 
WakullaSecond Circuit Open 
WaltonFirst Circuit Open 
Washington14th Circuit Open

 
HURRICANE HELENE UPDATES:
This webpage will be updated as we receive information for court closures and assistance programs. 
Helpful Links:  

Florida Supreme Courthttps://supremecourt.flcourts.gov/Weather-Related-Emergency-Orders 

DBPR Emergency Order 2024-08In part, this Emergency Order suspends and tolls any existing written certification or educational certificate requirements for residential condominium directors, as set forth in section 718.112(2)(d)4. b. (II), Florida Statutes, and homeowner association directors, as set forth in section 720.3033, Florida Statutes, until October 31, 2024.

Florida Bar -https://www.floridabar.org/public/consumer/hurricaneinfo/#1505308831967-4b730d43-35ff

Hurricane Helene Recovery Resources -https://myfloridacfo.com/division/ica/storm 

Contact Information for Florida's Property Insurance Companies
 
FEMA Support and ServicesFEMA Individual & Household Assistance: IHP Assistance may include funds for temporary housing (rental assistance or hotel reimbursement), repair or replacement of primary residences, coverage for other uninsured or under-insured disaster-related expenses, and other needs. Available to individuals and families in the following 17 counties: Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla Counties.

Ways to Register with FEMA

  1. Online: Visit DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA app.
  2. Phone: Call the FEMA registration hotline at 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585, 711 or VRS users can also call 800-621-3362) for assistance.
  3. In-Person: Register at a Disaster Recovery Center; locations can be found on the DRC Locator or via the FEMA app

Hope Florida

Activate Hope, part of the Hope Florida initiative, connects Floridians with resources from the private sector, nonprofits, and government to support disaster recovery, including food, household goods, and home repairs. For assistance, visit Hurricane Helene Recovery - Hope Florida or call 1-833 438-4673 (GET-HOPE).

Disaster Mental Health Resources: Offers essential mental health support, recovery information, and helplines for immediate assistance related to Hurricane Helene.

Unmet Needs Information:  Connects individuals with agencies for unmet needs resulting from Hurricane Helene.
 

  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA): 800-385-3920
  • For those who have lost their jobs due to the disaster and need unemployment benefits.

  • State Assistance Information Line (SAIL): 800-342-3557
  • A resource for general state assistance programs, including financial aid and recovery services.

 

  • DBPR Email: www2.myfloridalicense.com. Contact DBPR for any licensing issues or inquiries related to your professional license.

  • Find A Contractor: DCNOnline - Home Page
    Use this site to locate licensed contractors for repairs or rebuilding efforts.

  • Florida Disaster Resources: Floridadisaster.biz
    A comprehensive resource for businesses seeking assistance and recovery options.

 

  • Private Sector Hotline: 850-815-4925 / 850-410-1403
  • For businesses affected by the hurricane, this hotline offers support and guidance.

  • Price Gouging Hotline: 866-966-7226
  • Report any instances of price gouging for essential goods and services during the disaster recovery period.

  • Department of Labor: 866-487-9243
  • For inquiries related to labor rights, wages, and workplace issues following the hurricane.

  • Florida Power Outage: 1-800-468-8243
  • Report power outages and get updates on restoration efforts.