If you or your family were affected by the horrific collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Senator Rick Scott and his office are here to help. Please find additional federal, state and local resources below, as well as contact information for our team HERE.
Office of Senator Rick Scott
Following the Surfside building collapse on Thursday, June 24, 2021, Senator Rick Scott was on the ground in the Surfside community to talk to the people, families, faith leaders and all affected by this horrible tragedy. His focus remains on bringing people together, supporting these families and making sure every resource available is being utilized for search and recovery, and working relentlessly to get the answers these families deserve.
Senator Scott and his office remains in constant contact with FEMA on the federal response and is receiving routine updates from FEMA Regional Administrator Gracia Szczech, State CFO and Fire Marshall Jimmy Patronis, as well as other state and Miami-Dade County and local officials regarding ongoing search and rescue efforts and any unmet needs.
Senator Scott and his office are working closely with the State Department to ensure quick processing of visa applications for affected families and provide any needed resources. Following Senator Scott’s call to the State Department, an Israel Defense Force search and rescue team was deployed to assist in local efforts. He is also working closely with Jewish community leaders in South Florida, Israeli Counsel General in Miami Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Nachman Shai and Rabbi Sholom Lipskar of the Shul of Bal Harbour to make sure they are connected with FEMA and the needs of this community are met.
The office of Senator Rick Scott continues to provide assistance to individuals and families at the Family Assistance Center located at the Sea View Hotel at 9909 Collins Avenue. If you or your family have been affected by this tragic event and are in need of assistance, please reach out. Our office is here to help.
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Local Resources - Miami-Dade County
Local officials from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Miami-Dade County Emergency Management and Miami-Dade Police Department remain on scene of the building collapse at 8777 Collins Avenue in Surfside.
Find the latest updates and resources on their pages below:
- Miami-Dade County
- Miami-Dade Fire Rescue
- Miami-Dade County Emergency Management
- Miami-Dade Police Department
Family Assistance Center
- Families may visit the primary location of the Family Assistance Center at the Grand Beach Hotel at 4835 Collins Avenue, Surfside, FL for food and other comfort items.
- All local, state and federal resources for families and affected individuals, as well as all agencies and government personnel are located at the Family Resources Center at the Seaview Hotel at 9909 Collins Avenue, Surfside, FL. The center is open from 11:15 A.M. to 4:15 P.M. seven days a week.
- Individuals who have loved ones that are unaccounted for, or are safe, can also call the reunification hotline at 305-614-1819.
Alert System
A centralized alert system has been created to provide updates and access to resources for families and individuals who have been displaced due to the Surfside Building Collapse.
- Register at SurfsideReunite.com or call 833-930-3701.
- Agents are available in English and Spanish and will contact individuals who have registered with the alert system.
Mental Health Resources
Impacted individuals are also encouraged to contact the following helpline services for immediate emotional support:
- Surfsidestrength.com
- Disaster Distress Helpline – 800-985-5990
- Florida 211 Network – 211
- Crisis Text Line – Text HELLO to 741741
State Resources
Florida Division of Emergency Management
For the latest on state resources and response efforts and resources, please visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s website HERE or on Twitter @FLSERT.
Federal Resources
President Joe Biden has directed FEMA to approve an Emergency Declaration for the Surfside Building Collapse in Miami-Dade County occurring on June 24, 2021. This declaration includes Categories A and B assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures, as well as Individual Assistance for displaced individuals without insurance coverage.
FEMA
FEMA is personally working with survivors of the Surfside building collapse and next of kin of lost loved ones. Survivors and next of kin may go to the Family Assistance Center located at the Sea View Hotel at 9909 Collins Avenue to apply for FEMA assistance. The center is open from 11:15 A.M to 4:15 P.M. seven days a week. Find more information from FEMA HERE or on Twitter @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol.
FEMA also announced Critical Needs Assistance for Surfside Building Collapse survivors. This program provides cash for items like food, water, medications and more. Read more on this program from FEMA HERE.
FEMA has also announced rental assitance for indivudals who lost their primary residence in the collapse and meet the eligibility criteria. To find out if you are eligible for initial rental assistance from FEMA, visit the Family Assistance Center at the Sea View Hotel or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
For appointments with FEMA and other federal, state and local organizations, families can contact the Miami-Dade County Family Assistance Center by phone at 877-777-4066 or by email at surfsidefac@miamidade.gov.
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Florida businesses and residents affected by the collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Miami-Dade County on June 24, 2021 can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
To assist businesses and residents affected by the disaster, the SBA has opened a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) at the Family Assistance Center located at the Sea View Hotel, 9909 Collins Avenue, open from 11:15 A.M. to 4:15 P.M. seven days a week. Read more from the SBA HERE or apply online at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov.
The SBA today has also announced the opening of a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Miami-Dade County, Florida to help businesses impacted by the Surfside Building Collapse. The BRC is located in the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Mobile Unit at 95th Street and Collins Avenue in close proximity to the Surfside Business District. It will operate Monday through Friday, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., and Saturday 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. until further notice.
Additional Resources
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is partnering with local authorities and organizations to continue supporting the families and community affected by the building collapse. For more information on available resources or how to help, visit redcross.org/southflorida or on Facebook or Twitter at @SFLRedCross.
The Shul Jewish Community Center
In response to the partial building collapse in Surfside, The Shul of Bal Harbour has created a central fund to be dispersed as needed directly to the victims and families. Find more information HERE.
