The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $90 million in additional funding to support disaster recovery and hazard mitigation projects across Florida communities impacted by recent hurricanes and other disasters.
According to FEMA, more than $79 million was awarded through the Public Assistance program, which provides reimbursement to local governments, nonprofits, and certain organizations for emergency response efforts and permanent recovery work following federally declared disasters.
The latest funding supports more than 50 projects tied to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as previous storms including Hurricanes Ian, Nicole, Debby, and Idalia.
Among the largest awards, Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative received $25.1 million for debris removal and utility restoration efforts following Hurricane Idalia. St. Johns County was approved for $13.5 million to restore dunes and replenish sand damaged by Hurricanes Ian, Nicole, and Debby.
State agencies collectively received $12.2 million for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and recovery projects involving state parks and beaches impacted by multiple disasters. The South Florida Water Management District was awarded $10.7 million for emergency protective measures associated with Hurricane Ian.
Additional Public Assistance funding includes:
- $3.7 million for the City of St. Augustine to repair marina docks damaged by Hurricane Milton.
- $1.4 million for Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota to repair buildings damaged during Hurricane Ian.
- $1 million for Taylor County to restore community parks and docks affected by Hurricane Helene.
- $1 million for the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office to reimburse emergency protective measures related to Hurricane Milton.
- More than $765,000 for the City of Anna Maria to restore stormwater systems damaged by Hurricane Milton.
- More than $678,000 for the Town of Fort Myers Beach to repair and replace public park equipment damaged during Hurricane Ian.
- More than $407,000 for the City of Sarasota for emergency protective measures and park repairs following Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
FEMA also announced nearly $11 million in funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which supports projects designed to reduce the impact of future disasters and strengthen community resilience.
Charlotte County received more than $5.7 million to improve the durability and safety of traffic signals throughout the county. The City of Clearwater was awarded more than $2.3 million to enhance traffic signal coordination and safety improvements.
Additional mitigation projects include more than $1.5 million for Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative to protect existing power distribution lines and improve reliability, as well as more than $481,000 for Florida’s Elevate Florida program to support property mitigation efforts in Dixie County.
Over the past 90 days, FEMA has provided nearly $290 million to Florida through Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program projects, according to the agency.
The funding is intended to help communities recover from storm damage while investing in infrastructure improvements aimed at reducing risks from future disasters. Florida has experienced multiple federally declared disasters in recent years, underscoring the state’s ongoing need for both recovery assistance and long-term resilience planning.
