PRESIDENT JOSEPH R. BIDEN Jr. yesterday declared a widespread disaster in the state of Florida and ordered federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Milton beginning October 5, 2024, and beyond.
The President's measure makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter and Volusia, and the Miccosukee Indian Tribe of Florida.
Assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of a disaster.
Federal funding is also available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Brevard, Charlotte, and Citrus counties, St. Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter and Volusia, and the Miccosukee Indian Tribe of Florida. For a period of 90 days, to be selected by the State within the first 120 days of the start of the event period, debris removal and emergency protective measures assistance, including direct Federal assistance, is authorized under the Public Assistance Program at 100 % of the total eligible costs.
Finally, federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures throughout the state.
Mr. John E. Brogan of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been tasked with coordinating federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Damage assessments in other areas are ongoing and, once the assessments are complete, additional districts and other forms of assistance may be identified.
Residents and business owners who suffered losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or using the FEMA app. Anyone using an intermediary service, such as a video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service, or others, can provide FEMA with the number for that service.
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