PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — As Charlotte County continues to clean up after Hurricane Helene, government officials are urging anyone eligible to take advantage of available relief programs.

Helene produced an unprecedented storm surge that flooded low-lying areas of Charlotte County, including parts of the city of Punta Gorda. About 300 homes and 60 businesses suffered water damage during the storm, according to the city.

Watch Fox 4’s Alex Orenczuk’s reporting on Helene’s efforts in Charlotte County:

‘I Lost Everything’: Helene Continues Cleanup in Water-Damaged Charlotte County

Some residents of the Harbor Belle RV Resort in Punta Gorda lost almost all of their property in the flood.

“Since I’ve been here, about ten years, we’ve never had this much water,” said Elaine Titus, whose home was flooded. “Personally, I will look for reconstruction because I like it here, I love this park. They do everything they can for us.”

Hurricane Ian was nothing like the storm surge we received from Helene” – Alisia Miller. “I lost everything, everything.”

Fox 4.

The property owners waived their monthly rent and were busy trying to restore power and sewage while residents sorted out their belongings. Fox 4 spoke with President Andrew Fells as he distributed water and sandwiches to affected residents.

“We are focused on hiring additional team members and equipment for the cleanup to make it faster and more efficient,” Fells said. “And trying to figure out what exactly we can do to help every resident that is here to the best of our ability, that has been our goal for the last 72 hours.”

Senator Rick Scott and Congressman Greg Steube visited downtown Punta Gorda with local officials following Hurricane Helene.

On Tuesday afternoon, government officials including Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Greg Stuebe visited some of the city’s businesses that are closed for flood repairs, informing business owners and residents that help is available.

“FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) offers a variety of grant programs aimed primarily at homeowners who have lost their homes or are away from home due to flooding,” said Senator Scott. The SBA (Small Business Administration) offers a loan program for home and business owners. We are going to make sure the federal government does its part.”

To apply for FEMA assistance, CLICK HERE. To apply for SBA assistance, CLICK HERE.