The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on Wednesday that it has approved two projects totaling more than $17.1 million to reimburse the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for Hurricane Michael recovery work.
Hurricane Michael hit the Sunshine State back in October 2018.
FDC is receiving $6,458,521 in reimbursement for the cost of responding to the disaster. This is the completion of an expedited project, initially awarded in August 2019 at 50 percent of eligible costs incurred. The total project cost is roughly $12.9 million. Most of that cost – approximately $10.7 million – was for overtime for Corrections personnel. Other expenses included $1.4 million for state-owned equipment and vehicles used, and roughly $750,000 for contracted supplies and services.
FDOT is receiving $10,667,025 in reimbursement funds for emergency protective measures related to Hurricane Michael. Funds will cover actions to remove the immediate threat to public health and safety, such as emergency operations center support, debris removal activities and evacuation measures throughout disaster areas, as well as providing supplies and commodities.
These grants are 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 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 to FDEM after final approval.
Once a project is obligated, FDEM works closely with applicants to finalize grants and begin making payments. FDEM has procedures in place 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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