FEMA Awards Panama City $7.4 Million for Hurricane Michael Expenses

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, March 18 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:

FEMA has approved $7,495,304 to the state of Florida to assist Panama City with reimbursement for the costs of debris removal following Hurricane Michael under FEMA's Public Assistance Program.

FEMA funds will reimburse the city for the collection, reduction, disposal and site management of debris within Panama City following the October 2018 storm.

FEMA's Public Assistance grant program is an essential source of funding for communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency. The Florida Division of Emergency Management works with FEMA during all phases of the program and conducts final reviews of FEMA-approved projects.

Applicants work directly with FEMA to develop project worksheets and scopes of work. Following approvals by FEMA and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, FEMA obligates funding for the project.

Once a project is obligated by FEMA, DEM works closely with the applicant to finalize the grant and begin making payments. DEM has implemented new procedures designed to ensure grant funding is provided to local communities as quickly as possible.

On March 9, President Trump expanded the federal cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures to 100 percent for the first 45 days from Hurricane Michael's landfall. This and other Public Assistance projects were in process prior to approval of 100 percent cost share and are initially being funded at the original 75-percent federal cost share rate to avoid any delays. The projects will be adjusted to provide the remaining 25 percent of eligible costs to the applicants.

FEMA's Public Assistance program provides grants to state, tribal, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profit organizations including some houses of worship, so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.