Associated Press
Florida is developing a plan to tap into as much as $633 million in federal money to help prepare for future storms.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that the Department of Economic Opportunity will coordinate the multi-agency effort to maximize what Florida can receive from $18 billion in disaster mitigation money Congress approved last year to help states and U.S. territories affected by 2016 and 2017 disasters.
The money is intended for projects like hardening utility lines and structures in disaster-prone areas. Florida is guaranteed to receive at least $317 million once it submits a plan.
The money can’t be used for Hurricane Michael relief efforts because the grant doesn’t include 2018 disasters.
Other states receiving grants are Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, California, Missouri and Georgia.
