WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's FEMA announced today that federal emergency aid has been made available to the state of Florida to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions in the area affected by Hurricane Michael beginning on Oct. 7 and continuing.
The President's action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.
Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding for Bay Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla counties.
In addition, assistance for emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding for Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Gilchrist, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Lafayette, Levy, Manatee, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Union, Walton, and Washington counties.
Thomas McCool has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area. McCool said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of damage assessments.
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FEDERAL AID PROGRAMS FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA
Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Donald J. Trump’s emergency disaster declaration issued for the state of Florida.
Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:
- FEMA is authorized to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas.
- Specifically, FEMA is authorized to provide assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program, in Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla counties. Assistance will be provided at 75 percent federal funding.
- In addition, assistance for emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding in Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Gilchrist, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Lafayette, Levy, Manatee, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Union, Walton, and Washington counties.
FEMA's mission is to help people prepare before, during and after disasters.
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