More than $3.1 billion in federal support provided to communities
PANAMA CITY, Fla. — Two years after Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle, communities are rebuilding with local, state, federal and nonprofit organization support. To date, $3.1 billion in federal funds have been provided in grants, loans and flood insurance payments.
After the October 2018 storm, FEMA provided $149.5 million to more than 31,000 households for temporary rental assistance, basic home repair, lost personal property and other expenses not covered by insurance. The agency also provided housing in FEMA mobile homes and travel trailers to 925 households while they sought permanent accommodations. The housing program has been extended to Feb. 11, 2021 for some eligible households in Bay County still in need of temporary housing.
Working with the State of Florida, FEMA has approved $1.2 billion to reimburse governments and eligible nonprofits for the cost of debris removal, rebuilding of infrastructure and to reimburse state and local governments for emergency response costs.
As of Oct. 2, 2020:
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provided $654 million in low-interest loans to businesses, homeowners and renters to help with their recovery.
- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved $735 million in funding for long-term recovery efforts.
- The National Flood Insurance Program paid $246.4 million in claims to policyholders in the Panhandle.
- FEMA provided $66.5 million to purchase temporary housing units, rent housing pads and maintain units for Direct Temporary Housing program occupants a place to live until they find a more permanent housing solution.
- FEMA supported the state with $8.9 million for crisis counseling, disaster case management, disaster legal services and disaster unemployment assistance.
- FEMA’s Community Disaster Loan program approved $36.5 million for 11 communities to continue providing essential services as they focus on long-term recovery from Hurricane Michael.
- From October 2018 to April 2019, 2,058 displaced households received hotel lodging through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, totaling $16.7 million in assistance.
- FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provided $4.9 million to fund projects aimed at reducing future losses and to increase community resilience statewide.
FEMA continues to work with the state and with local communities on Panhandle recovery. “We are committed to supporting the state in this recovery and we are going to stay on the job until it’s completed,” Federal Coordinating Officer Jeffrey Coleman said.