Trump Administration Delivers More Than $100 Million Through FEMA to Help Communities Recover from Disasters and Strengthen Resilience Against Future Disasters in Puerto Rico

[GUAYNABO] - Last week, FEMA announced the approval of more than $100 million in post-disaster funding for Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program projects in Puerto Rico. These programs empower states, local communities, tribes and territories to recover from disasters, to rebuild more resilient, safer communities and to 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.

The funding approved today includes $65 million under FEMA's Public Assistance program awarded throughout the island.

FEMA assigns this money to states and local communities because they are best positioned to know how these funds will be most effectively spent. The funded 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 obligated through Public Assistance funding approved today include:

• $20.5 million to the Puerto Rico Department of Labor to repair its headquarters for damage following Hurricane Maria.
• $10.6 million to the Municipality of Caguas to repair the court of the Héctor Solá Bezares Coliseum in the Ángel O. Berríos Sports Complex following damage by Hurricane Maria.
• $4.4 million to the Municipality of Cayey to repair the municipal road located in Caña Sector following damage by Hurricane Fiona.
• $3.7 million to the Puerto Rico Disciples of Christ Church to repair their facilities located at the Valle Verde community in the Municipality of Toa Baja following damage by Hurricane Maria.

FEMA is also awarding more than $13 million for projects in Puerto Rico 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 or territorial governments and Tribal Nations take proactive 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 obligated through Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding approved today include:

• $5 million to the Puerto Rico Ports Authority to purchase generators for a backup power facility at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in the Municipality of Carolina.
• $4 million to the Puerto Rico Aqueducts and Sewer Authority to evaluate, design, procure and purchase emergency generators and associated components at the Water Treatment Plant Raw Water Intake located at the La Plata Lake Dam in the Municipality of Toa Alta.
• $3.1 million to the Municipality of Yabucoa for the construction of an open concrete-lined channel to improve water flow and reduce water surface elevation, minimizing property damage and community risks against future flood events.

FEMA also approved $1.3 million through the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program to empower states, local governments, territories and Tribal Nations to take decisive, proactive steps to protect their communities from potential disasters like fires, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes. This federal investment generates jobs, protects private property, strengthens infrastructure, reduces the cost of future disasters and-most importantly-save lives. The program maximizes state and local responsibility for resilience and risk reduction. This funding prioritizes infrastructure resilience by funding construction projects that are ready to implement and incentivizes the adoption of the latest hazard-resistant building codes.

• This BRIC funding for Puerto Rico supports stream stabilization and restoration in San Juan reducing flood risk from severe storms and strengthening community resilience.

FEMA coordinates directly with the state 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 to future disasters.