Hurricane Isaias: Disaster Assistance & Long-Term Recovery Resources

Serving Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, Florida

We Are Here for Our Communities — You Have Not Been Forgotten

As Escambia and Santa Rosa counties continue recovering from Hurricane Isaias, BRACE (Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies) remains committed to helping our communities navigate the challenges of disaster response and recovery.

We recognize that many residents are still facing significant challenges, including fallen trees, damaged homes, debris removal, roof damage, and financial hardships. We understand the frustration and uncertainty that come with waiting for assistance, particularly when families are trying to return to some sense of normalcy.

Please know that you have not been forgotten.

BRACE continues working alongside county emergency management agencies, state officials, nonprofit organizations, faith-based partners, and volunteer disaster relief organizations to coordinate resources and assistance for residents throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Recovery does not happen overnight. While immediate disaster response is an important first step, rebuilding homes, restoring stability, and helping families recover can take months or even years.

Our commitment extends beyond the initial emergency response and into the long-term recovery of our communities.

Immediate Disaster Assistance: Volunteer Cleanup and Relief

BRACE serves as the Emergency Support Function 15 (ESF-15) Volunteers and Donations coordinator for both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

In this capacity, BRACE works closely with county emergency management agencies to request, recruit, and coordinate volunteer disaster relief organizations that provide assistance following hurricanes and other emergencies.

These organizations may provide services such as:

• Tree cutting and removal of fallen trees

• Storm debris cleanup and clearing

• Temporary roof tarping

• Clearing blocked driveways and access points

• Other emergency storm-related assistance

How Volunteer Assistance Works

BRACE coordinates volunteer resources but does not directly perform cleanup work or determine which individual requests volunteer organizations accept.

Each participating disaster relief organization operates independently and determines which jobs it can complete based on available personnel, equipment, resources, safety considerations, and the type of assistance requested.

Through the Crisis Cleanup system, requests for assistance are made available to participating volunteer organizations. These organizations review requests and select jobs they have the resources and capabilities to complete.

Important Information for Residents Awaiting Assistance:

Submitting a request through Crisis Cleanup does not guarantee that a volunteer organization will be able to provide assistance. BRACE does not control the order in which requests are selected or completed and cannot provide an exact position in line or an estimated date when assistance will arrive.

We understand how difficult this uncertainty can be, especially for elderly residents, individuals with disabilities, and families experiencing significant storm damage.

BRACE continues coordinating with relief organizations to encourage additional volunteer resources to assist our communities.

Volunteer Disaster Relief Organizations

Residents needing assistance are encouraged to contact the following organizations directly. These organizations have been identified as potential resources for hurricane cleanup and disaster assistance.

Services are subject to each organization's availability, service area, eligibility requirements, and capabilities. Contacting an organization does not guarantee assistance.

Crisis Cleanup

Phone: 1-800-451-1954

Current hotline schedule: Through October 30, 2026.

Connects residents with participating volunteer organizations for tree removal, debris cleanup, roof tarping, and other storm-related needs.

God's Pit Crew

Phone: 434-836-4472

Online Request: https://form.jotform.com/262828197747070

Tree removal, debris clearing, and roof tarping.

United Cajun Navy

Phone: 844-482-6289

Online Request: https://unitedcajunnavy.org/request

Fallen trees, blocked access, and disaster assistance.

Cajun Navy Relief

Phone: 504-517-6289

Website: https://cajunnavyrelief.com

Volunteer disaster response and cleanup assistance.

Florida Baptist Disaster Relief

Phone: 904-253-0502

Text: "Isaias" to 850-972-2224

Volunteer chainsaw crews, debris removal, and roof tarping.

Samaritan's Purse

Disaster Assistance Hotline: 833-747-1234

Chainsaw work, debris removal, roof tarping, and disaster relief assistance.

Hope Force International

Phone: 615-606-2020

Tree removal, debris cleanup, and disaster relief.

Eight Days of Hope

Phone: 662-844-6934

Tree removal, heavy equipment assistance, and storm cleanup.

All Hands and Hearts

Phone: 508-758-8211

Storm cleanup and disaster recovery.

Christian Aid Ministries

Phone: 330-763-1382

Disaster relief services.

Marcus Pointe Baptist Church

Phone: 850-898-1470

Large tree and brush cutting and piling, temporary roof tarping, and drying out storm-damaged interiors.

Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT)

Phone: 407-857-5556 or 888-843-5267

Volunteer chainsaw teams and debris clearing.

United Methodist Disaster Response

Phone: 855-228-3862

Disaster assistance requests, including debris removal, temporary roof tarping, and flood cleanup.

Looking Ahead: Long-Term Recovery in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties

Disaster recovery does not end when the debris is cleared or the emergency response concludes.

For many individuals and families, the greatest challenges begin after the immediate emergency has passed.

Home repairs, rebuilding, insurance claims, financial hardships, temporary housing, and unmet needs can create a lengthy and overwhelming recovery process.

That is why Escambia County and Santa Rosa County are actively working toward coordinated Long-Term Recovery efforts through their respective Long-Term Recovery Groups (LTRGs).

BRACE coordinates the Escambia and Santa Rosa Long-Term Recovery Groups, bringing together community organizations, nonprofit agencies, faith-based partners, government representatives, businesses, and other stakeholders to help address the unmet needs of disaster survivors.

These groups work collaboratively to identify available resources, coordinate assistance, reduce duplication of services, and support residents who continue to experience disaster-related hardships.

Disaster Case Management: Helping Families Navigate Recovery

As Long-Term Recovery operations develop, both counties are working toward establishing Disaster Case Management (DCM) services for eligible disaster survivors.

Disaster Case Management is a coordinated process designed to help individuals and families develop personalized recovery plans, identify available resources, and address remaining unmet needs following a disaster.

A Disaster Case Manager may help residents:

• Assess their disaster-related needs and recovery challenges.

• Develop an individualized long-term recovery plan.

• Navigate available community, nonprofit, and government assistance programs.

• Identify resources for housing, home repairs, rebuilding, and other essential needs.

• Coordinate referrals to organizations that may provide additional assistance.

• Present eligible unmet needs for consideration by Long-Term Recovery partners and committees.

Disaster Case Management is not currently open for enrollment through BRACE. Planning and coordination are underway, and additional information will be announced as programs, eligibility requirements, referral procedures, and enrollment opportunities become available.

Understanding the Sequence of Disaster Assistance

Long-Term Recovery assistance generally focuses on remaining unmet needs after survivors have pursued other available sources of assistance.

Residents should take the following steps as applicable:

1. Seek Immediate Emergency Assistance

Contact volunteer organizations and community resources for urgent needs such as food, shelter, debris removal, emergency tarping, and other essential services.

2. File Insurance Claims

Residents with homeowners, renters, flood, or other applicable insurance should report their damage and pursue available coverage.

3. Apply for FEMA Assistance — If Available

If federal Individual Assistance is authorized for Hurricane Isaias in Escambia or Santa Rosa County, eligible residents should apply through FEMA and complete the applicable assistance process.

A federal disaster declaration does not automatically mean FEMA Individual Assistance is available. Availability depends on the specific assistance programs authorized for the affected counties.

4. Explore Other Available Assistance

Depending on eligibility and program availability, additional resources may include federal or state programs, nonprofit assistance, charitable organizations, and other recovery resources.

5. Seek Long-Term Recovery Assistance for Remaining Unmet Needs

After applicable insurance, FEMA assistance (if authorized), and other available resources have been pursued, eligible households may be considered for additional assistance through Long-Term Recovery partners and the Disaster Case Management process once established.

Long-Term Recovery assistance is intended to help address qualifying unmet needs. It is not guaranteed and generally cannot duplicate assistance already provided through insurance, government programs, or other sources.

What Should Residents Do Now?

While Disaster Case Management programs are being developed, residents are encouraged to:

• Keep copies of insurance claims, settlement letters, and denials.

• Document hurricane-related damage with photographs and written descriptions.

• Save receipts, repair estimates, and records of disaster-related expenses.

• Keep documentation of any FEMA applications or determinations if Individual Assistance becomes available.

• Maintain records of assistance already received from charitable or government organizations.

• Continue contacting available community organizations for immediate needs.

Keeping accurate records now can help simplify the recovery process if additional assistance becomes available later.

BRACE will share updates regarding the Escambia and Santa Rosa Long-Term Recovery Groups and future Disaster Case Management opportunities as information becomes available.

Additional Community Resources

Residents needing assistance beyond storm cleanup, including food, temporary shelter, household necessities, and other community services, are encouraged to contact:

2-1-1 Northwest Florida

Dial 2-1-1

Connects residents with available community resources and referral services.

For emergencies involving an immediate threat to life or safety, call 9-1-1.

Our Commitment to Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties

Hurricane Isaias has created tremendous challenges for families, neighborhoods, businesses, and communities across Northwest Florida.

But recovery is a community-wide effort, and no single organization can accomplish it alone.

BRACE is committed to bringing together the organizations, volunteers, resources, and partnerships necessary to help our communities recover.

From coordinating volunteer crews during the immediate response to facilitating Long-Term Recovery Groups and supporting the development of Disaster Case Management services, our mission remains the same:

Helping our communities prepare, respond, recover, and become more resilient.

We cannot promise that every request will be fulfilled or provide an exact timeline for assistance. However, we can promise that BRACE will continue working with our partners to advocate for resources, strengthen coordination, and help as many residents as possible.

You have not been forgotten. Recovery takes time, but our commitment to our communities continues.

Contact BRACE

BRACE — Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies

150 W. Maxwell Street
Pensacola, FL 32501

Phone: (850) 739-3981

Website: https://www.bereadyalliance.org

BRACE proudly serves Escambia and Santa Rosa counties through disaster preparedness, emergency response coordination, volunteer and donations management, and long-term disaster recovery.

#NotForgotten