FEMA Approves Additional $237 Million to Help Rebuild Communities Affected by Disasters

Today, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced more than $237 million to reimburse states, local governments, Tribal Nations and territories for expenses related to previous natural disasters.

"We are laser focused on removing unnecessary roadblocks to ensure these federal dollars are able to reach affected communities so they can rebuild," said Robert J. Fenton, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the FEMA Administrator. "We are working closely with our counterparts on the ground to make sure they have the technical assistance and guidance they need to get their projects approved and move their recovery forward."

The funds will be distributed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Public Assistance program to support 61 projects across the country. This money is disbursed to states and local communities who are best positioned to know how these funds should be most effectively spent. These projects include repairs to critical infrastructure, restoration of public buildings, road repairs and reimbursement for costs incurred to ensure public health and safety after a disaster.

Some examples of the approved projects are:

• More than $19 million to the South Carolina Department of Transportation for contract services to conduct debris removal and debris monitoring activities as a result of Hurricane Helene.
• More than $9 million to the Greater Lafourche Port Commission in Louisiana to address beach erosion on Fourchon Beach as a result of Hurricane Ida.
• More than $6 million to the French Broad Electric Membership Corporation in North Carolina to repair and restore the Capitola Hydroelectric Power Plant that was damaged by Tropical Storm Helene.
• More than $2 million to the Sharkey Issaquena Community Hospital in Mississippi for temporary hospital modules in response to severe storms and tornadoes.
• Nearly $2 million for the Havasupai Tribe to repair and restore fencing at the ancestral burial grounds that was damaged by flooding.

Four additional projects are funded from FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which empowers states, local governments, tribal nations and territories to complete activities and projects that prevent, eliminate or reduce disaster-related damage.

Examples of the approved post-disaster mitigation projects funded through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program include:

• More than $3.99 million for the acquisition and demolition of five residential structures in Bellingham, Everson, Ferndale and Lynden, Washington. These flood-prone properties are being demolished, and the land will be deed-restricted and maintained as open green space. These efforts substantially reduce the risk of future damage.
• More than $2 million to the Archdiocese of San Juan in Puerto Rico to purchase and install generators and hardened electrical cabinets in 23 schools across nine municipalities. This project provides backup power to the facilities to continue critical services during power outages.

These projects are the latest examples of billions of dollars in disaster recovery provided by FEMA to support state and local communities as they work to rebuild from recent natural disasters. FEMA will continue to work with states, local governments, Tribal Nations and territories to streamline recovery funding efforts for past natural disasters.