State of Florida Reaches One Billion in Obligated Public Assistance Funding for Hurricane Ian
~Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership, the Division has distributed more than $8.3 billion in critical disaster recovery funding ~
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Today, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (Division) announced that over $1 billion in Public Assistance funding has been obligated to Florida communities in response to the devastating impacts of Hurricane Ian. This is in addition to over $8.3 billion in critical disaster relief funding that has been paid out to local communities impacted by disasters since 2019.
“From day one, Governor DeSantis has empowered the Division to cut through bureaucratic red tape and get this critical funding back into the pockets of communities impacted by disasters,” said Division Executive Director Kevin Guthrie. “I want to thank the Florida Legislature for their continued investment in the Division allowing us to streamline processes and to our team at FDEM who have worked tirelessly and selflessly to help our fellow Floridians.”
Throughout the state’s response to Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, FDEM prioritized recovery funding by cutting through red tape and locking in $1 billion in obligated funds during the first 256 days post-landfall of Hurricane Ian - 344 days faster than any other hurricane on record. As a result, an estimated $1.2 billion in resiliency funds has been made available through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. By obligating Public Assistance funding quickly, the Division has ensured that the resiliency funds will be locked in.
Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, a record $8.3+ billion in funding has been distributed directly to communities recovering from recent disasters, including Hurricane Michael, Hurricane Dorian, and Hurricane Irma. Disaster recovery funding programs include:
- Public Assistance – The Division distributed more than $5 billion in FEMA Public Assistance funding, which helps communities rebuild after a disaster. This funding supports local governments recovering from recent disasters, including hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, and wildfires.
- Florida Citrus Recovery Block Grant Program – The Division distributed more than $319 million to citrus producers who suffered citrus crop damage from Hurricane Irma to support projects such as irrigation and drainage system repair and grove rehabilitation activities.
- Timber Recovery Block Grant Program – The Division distributed more than $231 million to agricultural producers who suffered timber loss from Hurricane Michael. This program is managed by the Division in conjunction with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the US Department of Agriculture.
- CARES Act – The Division distributed more than $1.2 billion in CARES Act funding to counties with populations under 500,000. This funding went to state, local and tribal governments navigating impacts from the COVID-19 response.
- American Rescue Plan Act – The Division distributed more than $1.4 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funding to provide support to local communities recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Updated: Friday, June 30, 2023
