FEMA Approves $37 Million To Local Governments
FEMA has obligated more than $450 million to date
Release Date: February 18, 2005
Release Number: 1539-377
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announces the approval of nine federal Public Assistance (PA) grants, totaling nearly $38 million, to county and local governments. These funds are earmarked to reimburse recovery efforts from the four hurricanes that affected Florida during 2004.
“FEMA continues to follow through on President Bush's pledge to help the state of Florida to recover from the devastation caused by hurricanes that hit the state last year," said Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response Michael D. Brown with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. "These grants will reimburse the local governments and qualified non-profit agencies for their efforts and expenditures for debris removal and repair of critical resources and services.”
The nine projects, totaling $37.7 million, are:
- Santa Rosa County received $7.8 million for two PA debris removal grants as a result of Hurricane Ivan;
- Escambia (Fla.) River Electric Cooperative, $1 million for the for debris removal associated with Hurricane Ivan;
- Martin County, $2.8 million for debris removal efforts associated with Hurricane Frances;
- St. Lucie County, $1 million to restore a mosquito control area devastated by Hurricane Frances;
- The City of West Palm Beach, $4.8 million for the removal of debris generated by Hurricane Frances;
- Volusia County, $12.3 million for two grants for the removal of debris generated by Hurricane Frances; and
- Escambia County, $8 million to remove debris generated by Hurricane Ivan.
These nine projects represent a small portion of the ongoing assistance that FEMA has been providing to communities, counties, the State of Florida and qualified non-profit organizations since the first declaration for Hurricane Charley on Aug. 13, 2004. To date, FEMA has obligated more than $450 million in Public Assistance funds for local, county and state governmental agency disaster losses and expenses.
These FEMA Public Assistance grants address 90 percent of the total funding needed for these approved projects. The State of Florida, county and local governments and non-profit agencies are responsible for the remaining 10 percent.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Monday, 21-Feb-2005 17:46:02