BRANDON, Fla. – As Floridians rebuild, survivors of Hurricane Ian can get free advice on how to rebuild stronger and safer against storms.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be in Lee and Charlotte counties to answer questions and offer free home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. This information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Mitigation is an effort to reduce the loss of life and property damage by lessening the impact of a disaster. The FEMA specialists will be available at the following locations:

• HOME DEPOT

19690 Cochrane Blvd, Port Charlotte, FL 33948

Hours for both locations:

Monday – Saturday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sundays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The FEMA Mitigation line is available to survivors who are interested in talking with a mitigation specialist about rebuilding stronger. Survivors can call 833-336-2487 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

Homeowners and renters in Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, and Volusia counties can apply for FEMA assistance in the following ways:

• Visit a Disaster Recovery Center. To find a nearby center, visit fema.gov/drc

• Apply online by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov

• Use the FEMA mobile app

• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages.

For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Ian, visit floridadisaster.org/info and fema.gov/disaster/4673. Follow FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.