The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is sending tens of millions to the Florida Panhandle as that region continues to recover from being hit by Hurricane Michael in October.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., announced on Monday that FEMA reached out to his office to inform him that more funds will be coming to North Florida.
“The School Board of Bay County will be reimbursed over $22.5 million for the costs of emergency protective measures and debris removal following Hurricane Michael,” Rubio’s office noted. “West Florida Electric Cooperative Association will be reimbursed over $24 million for the costs of emergency protective measures following Hurricane Michael. The city of Callaway will be reimbursed over $1.7 million for the costs of debris removal following Hurricane Michael. Jackson County will be reimbursed over $1.2 million for the costs of emergency protective measures following Hurricane Michael. Talquin Electric Cooperative with be reimbursed over $2.3 million for the costs of emergency protective measures following Hurricane Michael.”
Rubio weighed in on the funds on Monday.
“Hurricane Michael struck Florida’s Panhandle over six months ago, yet my colleagues continue to play politics at the expense of local communities in Florida and around the nation,” Rubio said. “We are up against a very real deadline to deliver much-needed resources, and I want Panhandle communities to know that they haven’t been forgotten.
“While I am encouraged by the news that FEMA is reimbursing federal funds to affected areas in Florida, I will continue the fight in Washington to pass an overdue, comprehensive disaster aid package to help fully restore and rebuild our communities,” Rubio added.
Kevin Derby can be reached at Kevin.Derby@floridadaily.com.
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