FEMA approves $55M in grants for Florida, with millions going to the Tampa Bay area

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that it approved nearly $55 million to support Florida’s resilience and recovery.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved tens of millions of dollars for Florida, the agency announced Monday.

FEMA announced that nearly $55 million has been approved to help the state strengthen community resilience, restore infrastructure, and invest in mitigation measures for future disasters affecting the area. The approved funding aims to help communities in the Tampa Bay area, including grants for places like St. Pete and Tampa.

According to FEMA, the funds will be provided through the agency’s programs. The Public Assistance Program includes over $30 million; the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, $8 million for projects; and the Disaster Case Management Program, $15 million.

These programs are in place to “help states, local communities, tribes and territories to rebuild safer communities and protect infrastructure from future events,” FEMA said.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management, FEMA says, received approval for nearly $7 million in funding for Public Assistance projects like debris removal and repairing wastewater systems following Hurricane Ian, as well as other storms.

$3.5 million was approved as part of the Public Assistance Program for Hillsborough County for emergency protection measures like debris clearance following Hurricane Helene, FEMA noted. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program also includes $800,000 allocated to the county to strengthen wind resistance and install generators.

In Tampa, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program includes a project of nearly $2 million to elevate six homes in flood-prone areas.

For St. Pete, FEMA approved funding through the Public Assistance Program to grant $1.4 million for its fire department’s emergency response operations after Hurricane Milton.

Other areas, such as Lee County and the City of Sanibel, also received grant approval. Lee County was awarded $6.2 million to reconstruct Fort Myers Beach following Hurricane Ian, while Sanibel received $1.5 million to enhance its sanitary lift stations.

FEMA added that it coordinated directly with the state “on all recovery and hazard mitigation projects, ensuring recovery is state-led and federally supported.”