How Santa Rosa County residents can apply for FEMA aid after Hurricane Isaias

SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (WALA) - Additional federal disaster aid is now available for residents in Santa Rosa County and across the Florida Panhandle recovering from Hurricane Isaias, officials announced.

The expansion follows an amendment approved by President Donald Trump to Florida’s Major Disaster Declaration for the storm, which impacted the state from Oct. 6–12.

According to FEMA, the amended declaration authorizes assistance for individuals and families across eight Florida counties: Santa Rosa, Escambia, Bay, Gulf, Holmes, Okaloosa, Walton, and Washington.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and basic home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other recovery support programs. Officials advise residents to file a claim with their insurance provider first before applying for federal aid.

Eligible residents can apply for FEMA assistance through the following options:

• Online: Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
• Phone: Call 1-800-621-3362 (relay service users should provide their service number)
• Mobile App: Download the official FEMA app