Florida Distributes $1.5 Billion Following Hurricane Michael

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) – Backed heavy by the national government, Florida has distributed astir $1.5 cardinal to governments and agencies crossed a portion of the Panhandle devastated astir 3 years agone by Category 5 Hurricane Michael, according to Department of Economic Opportunity Secretary Dane Eagle.

Eagle announced the fig Friday arsenic helium joined Gov. Ron DeSantis astatine the Bay County Emergency Operations Center successful Southport to people the upcoming 3rd day of Michael, which made landfall adjacent Mexico Beach connected Oct. 10, 2018.

“The politician told maine connected time one, we’ve got this wealth coming down from the feds, don’t beryllium connected it. Get it out,” Eagle said, adding “we’ve been capable to bash $1.5 billion, and there’s inactive truthful overmuch much to come.”

DeSantis besides utilized the lawsuit to denote an further $3.1 cardinal successful matching grants to Bay County, Wakulla County, the metropolis of Chattahoochee, and Talquin Electric Cooperative.

The wealth is coming from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which is national backing administered by the authorities Division of Emergency Management.

DeSantis said the authorities volition screen the 25-percent lucifer required from section agencies receiving the grants.

“Some of the cities are not going to beryllium capable to nutrient that benignant of money,” DeSantis said.

“And so, we’re blessed that what we’re doing contiguous is basically, we’re covering that lucifer for these communities.”

DeSantis besides credited erstwhile President Donald Trump for the national funding, which included 100 percent reimbursement for 45 days of section authorities debris removal.

The governor, a adjacent state of Trump’s, added that, if a akin tempest happened today, “I can’t warrant you we get rather the aforesaid magnitude of support.” The assistance programme has provided much than $417 cardinal for Michael betterment efforts and catastrophe mitigation projects successful Northwest Florida.

DeSantis noted that the authorities besides has spent $120 cardinal to renourish beaches, region debris and rebuild authorities parks.

Insurance companies separately person paid retired $8.51 cardinal for spot damages to businesses and homeowners, according to the authorities Office of Insurance Regulation.