Florida communities are getting a substantial financial boost to help rebuild from a string of recent hurricanes. FEMA has approved more than $89 million in funding to back upwards of 70 recovery and hazard mitigation projects across the state. The money targets areas still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricanes Debby, Helene, Milton, and other past disasters.
A portion of the funding, about $14 million, goes to the state-managed Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, specifically supporting the Elevate Florida initiative and similar safety efforts. From this pool, $12 million will help 35 individual homeowners across Florida physically elevate their houses, rebuild stronger structures, or put other protective measures in place.
Local infrastructure is also getting a slice of this mitigation funding. Hillsborough County will receive over $457,000 to harden utility equipment like sanitary sewers, lift stations, and electric panels. Citrus County is set to get $415,000 for emergency power generators, and Putnam County will receive more than $250,000 for its own lift stations and backup power needs.
The largest chunk of the announcement comes via the Public Assistance program, which is delivering more than $69 million to fund local emergency measures and permanent repair work. The Florida Division of Emergency Management, along with other state agencies, will receive $40.8 million of this money to cover the costs of debris removal, emergency protective measures, and restoring state parks and beaches.
The Public Assistance funds also cover several highly specific local recovery projects. The Lee County School District is being reimbursed $7.1 million for the temporary facility expenses required for Hector A. Cafferata Elementary School after Hurricane Ian. Charlotte County will receive $2.5 million to restore beaches and dunes eroded by Hurricane Milton.
In Sarasota County, the West Villages Improvement District is getting nearly $665,000 to replace wayfinding signs and fix utilities damaged by Hurricane Ian. Another $13.6 million under this program is designated for multiple healthcare facilities and counties across the state to handle ongoing COVID-19 recovery costs.
The remaining $5 million from the federal allocation will help the state run its disaster unemployment and case management programs.
Volunteer Florida will oversee the case management component, working through local nonprofit organizations to help survivors develop and implement personal recovery plans. With this latest package, FEMA has funneled nearly $371 million into Florida through post-disaster grant programs over the last 90 days.
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