Hurricane Irma By The Numbers

March 06--The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Florida State Emergency Response Team issued a report Tuesday that outlines work publicly and privately to recover from Hurricane Irma, which made landfall in Florida on Sept. 10, 2017.

According to The Weather Channel website, the storm was the strongest Atlantic hurricane since records were first kept in 1851. Irma made two landfalls as a Category 4 when it hit Florida, with winds estimated at 130 mph. Six months later, thousands of homes remain damaged.

According to FEMA and FSERT, "private entities and different levels of government have joined together to advance recovery many ways. Accomplishments include cleaning up, creating solutions to keep displaced survivors near home, developing recovery plans with communities and advancing financial help so Floridians could start repairing and rebuilding."

The numbers below are as of the week ending March 2:

Volunteers

Nearly 43,000 volunteers contributed 1.5 million hours to muck out and repair homes. Additionally, 474 AmeriCorps volunteers contributed 115,000 hours.

The state

The state will receive an additional 20 percent of the total estimated federal disaster assistance amount to fund projects that prevent or reduce disaster damage. The state works with communities to develop strategies on how best to use these funds. Florida receives increased funding, 20 percent as opposed to the standard 15 percent, because it has developed a program that enhances community disaster resiliency.

The state has forged strong connections with voluntary agencies, which fostered a network that strengthens help for survivors. More than 140 organizations stepped up to aid their fellow Floridians through voluntary organizations.

The state worked with FEMA to get 102 applicants quickly approved to perform private property debris removal.

Survivors benefited from new FEMA programs such as the Direct Lease Program, which provided 62 households in the hardest hit counties with temporary housing.

State and federal emergency home repairs

The Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power program (STEP) funds emergency repairs such as fixing heating, air, plumbing and hot water systems and securing doors, walls and roofs, which allows survivors to stay home while they fix their damaged residence. STEP has approved 189 projects, 69 are under construction and 69 have been completed. FEMA funds 75 percent of the cost; the state pays 25 percent.

National Flood Insurance Program

Policyholders have been paid nearly $855 million on more than 28,000 claims to repair and rebuild. Closed claims have averaged about $48,500. Many received up to 50 percent advance payments, nearly $121 million, to minimize waiting for money to start work.

U.S. Small Business Administration

The SBA has approved low-interest disaster loans of $1.3 billion to 34,800 businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters who had hurricane-related losses.

Private sector

More than 180 companies in Florida used relationships with customers to relay ways to get help to 1.7 million people. Florida home improvement stores, for example, hosted events where more than 57,000 people obtained information about building hazard-resistant homes.

FEMA

Displaced survivors received help with rental assistance and hotel room expenses. Households received $497 million to pay rent. More than 27,000 participated in FEMA- and state-funded hotel stays. FEMA picks up 75 percent and the state pays 25 percent.

Survivors have received $173 million for home repairs to make them habitable and nearly $68 million to replace household items.

Nearly $7.1 million in disaster unemployment assistance has helped workers whose employment was affected by the hurricane.

The agency is collaborating with more than 1,000 applicants across Florida to reimburse hurricane-related expenses through FEMA's Public Assistance program. Eligible projects include repairing or replacing disaster-damaged facilities and infrastructure, debris removal and emergency response activities.

Survivors

Survivors continue working to repair, rebuild or find a new residence. This includes 29 households who received travel trailers and other FEMA-provided housing and have moved out because of their recovery progress. More than 26,000 households in FEMA-funded hotels have found suitable, longer-term housing.

Long-term efforts

Recovery partners have established networks to address unmet needs and enhance Florida's disaster resiliency. This includes nonprofits, volunteers and FEMA liaisons, who continue to coordinate with 26 communities to identify gaps and find resources to help.

Several federal agencies are working with local and state officials and the private sector to apply resources that will enhance resiliency. Specialists from the following are identifying ways to help: Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Commerce, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Interior, FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Help for all

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call toll-free 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

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