Hundreds connected with resources to receive help needed after Hurricane Matthew

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Hundreds of families were connected with vital resources Friday to get the help they need with damage from Hurricane Matthew.

People waited and talked to officials with HUD, FEMA, the Red Cross and several other state, local and federal agencies.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio’s office spearheaded the program to put all of those programs together to help neighbors impacted by the storm.

“I give great credit to Senator Rubio. His office called me and said what do you think about something like this,” St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Shaver said.

Shaver told Action News Jax that in her city alone, Hurricane Matthew damaged at least 550 homes.

“You have state and federal resources here, it’s what people need and a clear path to recovery,” Shaver said.

Benjamin Morell’s storm recovery means landing a job after Harry’s on the St. Augustine square flooded out.

“Storm surge came up, we had 3 1/2 feet of water. So I’ve been out of work since then, the seventh,” Morell said.

Morell left the event with a job as temporary storm restoration and cleanup worker.

Meanwhile, Ricky Kirby will find out Monday if FEMA will help him after the hurricane left mold inside his Vilano beach home.

FEMA officials said it is important to keep in mind that the people receiving help Friday registered ahead of time, which is the first step anyone would have to take in order to get help.

For more information visit FEMA's website.

Cox Media Group