TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - In an effort to expedite the recovery process for businesses damaged by Southwest Florida’s recent severe weather and tornado activity, the State Emergency Response Team has activated the Florida Virtual Business Emergency Operations Center.  The program, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will survey businesses affected by the severe weather events and share the results with various state and local agencies to implement appropriate disaster relief programs.

DEO Executive Director Cissy Proctor said, "In the wake of the recent tornado activity in Manatee, Sarasota and surrounding counties, DEO is committed to providing needed resources to local businesses to ensure a speedy economic recovery. We encourage all businesses impacted by the storms to share their needs by completing the Business Damage Assessment survey. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families and businesses affected by the recent severe weather.”

Affected businesses, including home-based businesses, should complete a Business Damage Assessment survey that will be used to determine which emergency support programs might be beneficial to aid recovery efforts in the area. Local and state officials will use this information to quickly provide any needed assistance programs.

The survey can be obtained at http://flvbeoc.org/index.php?action=bda by selecting the “Winter Tornadoes 2016” event.