Bay County To Get $120,000 FEMA Grant To Reduce Urban Flooding
Release Date: June 4, 2002
Release Number: R4-02-29
Atlanta, GA -- People who live or work in the Laird Street area of Panama City, Florida, should have less trouble with urban flooding in the future, thanks to a $120,672 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grant is part of a storm drainage improvement project that will replace an existing 42-inch diameter culvert under Laird Street with a six-foot by 12-foot box culvert.
"Every time this road floods, it adversely affects hundreds of people who living and working in this area," said FEMA Region IV Director Ken Burris. "People need to know that fire protection, law enforcement, medical care and needed utilities are not going to be curtailed because a culvert under the street can't handle the runoff during a heavy rain."
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will provide $120,672, or 75 percent, of the total project cost of $160,896. The state and local government will provide equally for the remaining $40,224 for the project.
"Reducing the risk of repetitive flooding is a benefit to us all, but especially to those who live and work in the flood prone areas," said Governor Jeb Bush. "By limiting the amount of future damages due to localized flooding, we can utilize state resources for other areas of critical need."
The grant is a part of FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program designed to help state and local governments take actions now to prevent or reduce the adverse impacts of future disasters.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 27-Aug-2003 11:56:39