Steube: FEMA owes Charlotte County nearly $57 million from Hurricane Ian

PORT CHARLOTTE — U.S. Rep. Greg Steube is demanding FEMA "resolve outstanding requests" involving Charlotte County and its needs after Hurricane Ian.

Steube, who represents all of Charlotte County along with Sarasota County and portions of Lee County, announced Saturday that he'd sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.

"Recovery from Ian and recovery from Idalia are inseparable in my district. There is great concern that Charlotte County does not have the adequate funds to recover from Idalia, due largely to having not yet received the appropriate FEMA money from Ian," Steube said in a news release.

Hurricane Ian struck Southwest Florida on Sept. 28, 2022. To date, residents are still struggling with a variety of troubles - from insurance claims being held up to homelessness to homes still in disrepair.

"I am asking FEMA to follow through on the outstanding actions and process pending requests in a timely and clear process," Steube states in the news release. "This funding is urgently needed for my district to recover from Ian so that we can properly address Idalia recovery and prepare for the next storm amid Florida's peak hurricane season."

According to the news release, Charlotte County has received about $22.8 million from FEMA following Hurricane Ian, despite being owed about $80 million.

"We are so thankful for Congressman Steube's continued advocacy and swift action in support of Charlotte County and our efforts to recoup over $80M in eligible reimbursements from FEMA that are still pending from Hurricane Ian," Charlotte County Commission Chairman Bill Truex stated in the news release.

The letter notes the region is now coping with damage from Hurricane Idalia, which scrapped the area in late August.

"Charlotte County has incurred significant expenses from Hurricane Ian and has gone to great lengths to work with state and federal officials to recover from the disaster," it states. "As the county is currently working on preliminary damage assessment numbers for Idalia, there is concern that they do not have the adequate funds to recover, due largely to having not yet received the appropriate FEMA money from Ian."

It asks FEMA to finish up "necessary steps" for residents to "recover and be prepared for the next natural disaster."