The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) announced on Monday that it has approved $1,250,475 to reimburse the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for debris removal activities following Hurricane Michael which hit the Sunshine State in October 2018.
The funds will reimburse FDOT for debris cleanup activities throughout Holmes County. Work completed includes collection and disposal of 56,797 cubic yards of vegetative debris. Crews also removed 3,316 hanging limbs and 209 damaged leaning trees that posed a threat to public health and safety.
FEMA previously approved $156 million for FDOT’s Hurricane Michael-related expenses, bringing the total to more than $157.2 million.
This grant is funded by FEMA’s Public Assistance program, an essential source of funding for communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) works with FEMA during all phases of the PA program and reviews projects prior to FEMA final approval.
Applicants work directly with FEMA to develop projects and scopes of work. FEMA obligates funding for projects after final approval.
Once a project is obligated by FEMA, FDEM works closely with applicants to finalize grants and begin making payments. FDEM has implemented new procedures designed to ensure grant funding is provided to local communities as quickly as possible.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to state, tribal and local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.
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