PENSACOLA, Fla: FEMA has approved $1,373,999 to reimburse the city of Gulf Breeze for debris removal activities after Hurricane Sally in 2020.
Between Sept. 14, 2020 and Sept. 28, 2020 workers removed 82,414 cubic yards of debris from public rights of way. Disaster-generated debris posed a threat to public health, safety, natural resources and tourism.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) works with FEMA during all phases of the program and reviews projects prior to FEMA final approval.
Applicants work directly with FEMA to develop projects and scopes of work. FEMA obligates funding for projects to FDEM after final approval.
Once a project is obligated, FDEM works closely with applicants to finalize grants and begin making payments. FDEM has procedures in place designed to ensure grant funding is provided to local communities as quickly as possible.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to state, tribal and local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.