ORLANDO, Fla. – The Florida Realtors® Disaster Relief Fund began accepting applications after Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in five South Florida counties impacted by severe flash flooding on June 12.
Realtors®, Realtor boards/associations and their staff in Broward, Collier, Lee, Miami-Dade and Sarasota counties are eligible to apply. The fund provides assistance to those whose primary residential home or real estate office sustained damages due to the storm. Storm assistance applications will close Dec. 12.
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The flooding is a result of a tropical disturbance that continues to drop inches of rain in already soaked areas. The downpours and subsequent flooding on Wednesday blocked roads and floated vehicles. Flights in and out of South Florida were canceled. More heavy rain was predicted for today.
The National Weather Service in Melbourne confirmed that an EF-1 tornado hit Hobe Sound on Florida’s Atlantic Coast north of West Palm Beach on Wednesday morning.
In Miami, about 6 inches (15 centimeters) of rain fell Tuesday and 7 inches (17 centimeters) in Miami Beach, according to the National Weather Service. Hollywood got about 5 inches (12 centimeters).
Brian McNoldy, a senior research associate at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School, noted on X that some 9 inches (23 centimeters) had fallen on parts of South Florida from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday in addition to the rain that fell on Tuesday.
The western side of the state, much of which has been in a prolonged drought, also got some major rainfall. Nearly 6.5 inches (16.5 centimeters) of rain fell Tuesday at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, the weather service says, and flash flood warnings were in effect in those areas as well.
Other disaster relief available
The Florida Realtors Disaster Relief Fund is also continuing to accept applications for other recent events:
Tornado events in North Florida on May 10, 2024; applications close November 11, 2024.
Severe weather events in Florida on January 9, 2024; applications close July 9, 2024.
The Realtors Relief Foundation is also accepting applications for any Florida residents who sustained damage during the same storms.
Donations to the Florida Realtors Disaster Relief fund can be completed securely online. If you prefer to mail in a tax-deductible donation, please make your check payable to “Florida Realtors Disaster Fund, attention Dave Garrison,” and send the check to:
Florida Realtors Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 725025
Orlando, FL 32872-5025
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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