$21 million approved for FDOT for Hurricane Michael from FEMA

Panama City, Florida — FEMA has approved three projects totaling nearly $21.6 million to reimburse the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for debris removal activities following Hurricane Michael.

The funds will reimburse FDOT for debris cleanup activities throughout Franklin, Gadsden and Liberty counties. Work completed includes collection and disposal of 960,636 cubic yards of vegetative debris and 63,727 cubic yards of construction and demolition debris. They also removed 21,517 hanging limbs and 14,846 damaged leaning trees that posed a threat to public health and safety.

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 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.