Last week, U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell “demanding the essential need for FEMA to resolve outstanding requests with Charlotte County relating to Hurricane Ian expenses” even as the agency now faces more expenses after Hurricane Idalia.
“Recovery from Ian and recovery from Idalia are inseparable in my district. There is great concern that Charlotte County does not have the adequate funds to recover from Idalia, due largely to having not yet received the appropriate FEMA money from Ian,” said Steube. “I am asking FEMA to follow through on the outstanding actions and process pending requests in a timely and clear process. This funding is urgently needed for my district to recover from Ian so that we can properly address Idalia recovery and prepare for the next storm amid Florida’s peak hurricane season.”
“We are so thankful for Congressman Steube’s continued advocacy and swift action in support of Charlotte County and our efforts to recoup over $80M in eligible reimbursements from FEMA that are still pending from Hurricane Ian,” said Charlotte County Commission Chairman Bill Truex.
Steube’s office noted that “it is estimated that Charlotte County is still owed approximately $80 million from FEMA as it relates to Hurricane Ian” and FEMA has only sent $22.8 million to the county government.
“This letter is to identify the essential need for FEMA to resolve outstanding requests with Hurricane Ian as your agency works on recovery from Hurricane Idalia. In my district, recovering from Hurricane Idalia requires your agency to continue and follow through on its obligation to provide the necessary funds to recover from Hurricane Ian,” Steube wrote. “Charlotte County has incurred significant expenses from Hurricane Ian and has gone to great lengths to work with state and federal officials to recover from the disaster. As the county is currently working on preliminary damage assessment numbers for Idalia, there is concern that they do not have the adequate funds to recover, due largely to having not yet received the appropriate FEMA money from Ian.
“Given the financial burden of not just Ian but now Idalia on Charlotte County, I ask FEMA to finish the necessary steps for my constituents to recover and be prepared for the next natural disaster,” he added.
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