Effects of Hurricane Dennis in Florida - Aftermath

Aftermath

In the aftermath of the hurricane, president George W. Bush declared 13 counties–Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Monroe, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton and Washington– in Florida as federal disaster areas. Applicants, including units of local government, in 19 counties became eligible for Public Assistance funds for emergency services and debris removal and to help restore or rebuild essential public facilities. On July 10, President Bush ordered the release of federal disaster funds and emergency resources for Florida to aid people effected by Dennis. One day after the storm made landfall, four disaster recovery centers were opened by disaster officials, two in Escambia County, and two in Santa Rosa County. Supplies of food, water and ice were supplied from staging areas to distribution centers throughout the Florida Panhandle. The American Red Cross and other voluntary agencies assisted with food and water distribution as well as emergency needs and housing. Subsequently, an additional disaster relief center was opened in Santa Rosa County. Just days after the storm, six additional counties became eligible for federal disaster aid.

Voluntary agencies such as AmeriCorps, the Christian Contractors Association and the United Way provided assistance to residents who have temporary roofing and repair needs. Shortly after, three additional disaster relief centers opened on July 16, with one being in Franklin County, one in Okaloosa County, and another in Wakulla County. Within a week, over 2,100 individuals visited the Disaster Recovery Centers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Another disaster recovery center opened in Franklin County on July 7, and by July 18, over $3 million (2005 USD) in individual assistance applications for rental, housing and other needs assistance were approved. On July 23, Dixie and Levy counties became eligible federal funds under its Public Assistance program for damages. By July 28, all disaster recovery centers ceased operations on Sundays, although on August 4, Gadsden County became eligible for Public Assistance funding. Two more disaster recovery centers opened on August 4, one in Dixie County and one in Taylor County. By August 18, over $24 million (2005 USD) in individual assistance funds were collected for victims of Hurricane Dennis. On October 13, the last disaster recovery centers ceased operations, although individual assistance funds were still being collected.