FEMA Approves More Than $1.1 Billion to Help Communities Recover and Rebuild, Funds Also Support Resilience Efforts

This recent approval represents funding for 452 disaster recovery and mitigation projects, underscoring DHS Secretary Mullin's commitment to streamlining processes

WASHINGTON -- Today, FEMA announced the approval of more than $1.1 billion in post-disaster funding for Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program projects across the nation. These programs empower states, local communities, Tribal Nations and territories to recover and rebuild more resilient, safer communities and protect infrastructure from future events. With this funding, President Donald J. Trump is keeping his promise to reform federal disaster support and ensure that taxpayer money is spent only on projects that deliver safety and security to the American people.

"FEMA is working to quickly approve critical funding that communities need as they continue to recover from disasters," said Robert J. Fenton, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the FEMA Administrator. "As states, tribal nations and territories take the lead in their response and recovery activities, these funds support their efforts. FEMA is committed to providing funding approvals as fast as possible, while remaining accountable to the American people."

The funding includes more than $1 billion under FEMA's Public Assistance program. States will use this funding for 427 recovery projects related to previous disasters, including 44 COVID-19 projects, for more than $323 million. In alignment with President Trump's executive order establishing the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, FEMA conducted thorough reviews of all claimed costs for COVID-19 Public Assistance funds to prevent any fraud, waste and abuse.

The 383 non-COVID Public Assistance 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.

Examples of projects reimbursed through Public Assistance funding include:

• More than $48 million for North Carolina Emergency Management for debris removal and debris monitoring activities related to Hurricane Helene.
• More than $31 million to the Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative in Florida to remove more than 867,000 cubic yards of vegetative debris after Hurricane Idalia.
• More than $29 million to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency for temporary non-congregate sheltering, staffing and services for individuals who were displaced as a result of Hurricane Helene.
• More than $15 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation to restore and repair a state road and sewer main that were damaged by Tropical Storm Helene.
• More than $7.4 million to the municipality of Barranquitas in Puerto Rico to repair and rebuild a state road back to its condition prior to Hurricane Maria.

In addition, FEMA is awarding more than $54 million for 25 projects across 13 states that will prevent, eliminate or reduce future disaster-related damage. This money is being distributed through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Through this program, state, local, territory governments and Tribal Nations take mitigation measures such as acquiring hazard-prone homes and businesses, adopting and enforcing building codes and standards, protecting against floods through elevations and drainage improvement projects, building safe rooms and upgrading utilities and infrastructure.

Examples of projects reimbursed through Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding approved today include:

• Nearly $30 million for buyouts of 62 properties in Buncombe County, North Carolina that were damaged by Hurricane Helene. By buying these properties from the homeowners, state and local officials lessen the financial burden on survivors and ensure that the community is more resilient to future floods.
• Nearly $8 million to protect existing traffic signals from severe winds in Florida, allowing them to remain operational during future storms.
• More than $1 million to Hawaii to develop a real-time flood forecasting system that will monitor streamflow and water levels in real-time, enhancing flood readiness across the state.

FEMA coordinates directly with the state, Tribal Nation or territory on all hazard mitigation projects. This aligns with FEMA's principles of ensuring that disaster recovery and mitigation is state-led and federally supported.

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 continues its renewed commitment to help communities recover from disasters like hurricanes, severe storms, tornadoes and wildfires while making them more resilient from future disasters.