FEMA: Two Years of Progress After Hurricane Irma

ORLANDO, Florida, Sept. 10 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:

Two years after Hurricane Irma caused extensive damage throughout the Florida peninsula, FEMA staff in Florida and their state, local, and non-profit partners continue to help Floridians in their recovery. To date, more than $4.6 billion in federal funds have been obligated.

The recovery includes such milestones as:

* More than 2.6 million survivors registered for FEMA Individual Assistance in 51 eligible counties;

* More than $1.02 billion was provided in FEMA Housing and Other Needs Assistance grants for rental assistance to households, home repair or replacement, lost personal property and other expenses;

* More than $1.06 billion in National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims have been paid to homeowners and businesses;

* More than $1.2 billion in Public Assistance (PA) grants have been obligated to eligible governments and non-profits in 67 counties for the cost of clean up, rebuilding of infrastructure and to reimburse state and local governments for emergency response costs;

* More than $1.4 billion in U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans have been approved for both homeowners and businesses.

FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is also providing extensive assistance throughout the state, with 230 projects approved for more than $92.1 million to help communities reduce future losses from natural hazards.

Working together with local communities and the state, FEMA continues to support Floridians' recovery from Hurricane Irma and to make them stronger and more resilient in future events.