FEMA/Florida Disaster Aid For Georges and Mitch Tops $84.5 Million 

Release Date: December 16, 1998
Release Number: 1259-08

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Federal/state assistance for victims of Hurricane Georges and Tropical Storm Mitch in Florida has reached $84.5 million.

Acting Federal Coordinating Officer Pat Seaman of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said financial aid to residents, business owners and public entities will continue to increase as the state and FEMA continue processing applications.

More than $81.5 million of the total went to those who suffered damages during Hurricane Georges, and Monroe County received, by far, the largest share of the fund approvals, according to State Coordinating Officer Joe Myers of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

The Mitch funding, with only Monroe and Palm Beach counties included in the declaration, included $865,405 for public assistance for such things as debris removal and repair of public buildings; $593,514 for temporary housing and minimal home repairs; $185,298 for individual and family grants for emergency expenses; $3,240 for disaster unemployment assistance, and $1.2 million for U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest, disaster-related loans.

The Georges allocations included $22.4 million for public assistance; $8.6 million for housing; $4.7 million for individual and family grants; $395,709 for unemployment assistance; $70,000 for crisis counseling, and $45.2 million for SBA loans.

Of the SBA loan total for Georges, $32.1 million was authorized in Monroe County. Of the total individual and family grants allocated to date, $2.9 million was for Monroe County residents. Nearly $5.6 million of the $8.6 million in temporary housing and minimal repair was approved for Monroe County citizens.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 14-Jan-2004 10:26:19