FEMA Reimburses Mexico Beach More Than $1M for Hurricane Michael Expenses

Tallahassee, Florida — FEMA has approved $1,047,580 to the state of Florida to assist the City of Mexico Beach with reimbursement for the costs of repairs to public utilities following Hurricane Michael under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program.

FEMA funds will reimburse the city for restoring its master wastewater lift station back to its pre-disaster design, function and capacity following the October 2018 storm.

The grant is funded by FEMA’s Public Assistance program, an essential source of funding for communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency. Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) works with FEMA during all phases of the PA program and reviews these projects prior to FEMA final approval.

Applicants work directly with FEMA to develop projects and scopes of work. FEMA obligates funding for the project after its final approval.

Once a project is obligated by FEMA, FDEM works closely with the applicant to finalize the grant 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 types of private non-profit organizations, including houses of worship, so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.