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Mitch PerrySeptember 13, 2017

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has now amended their initial Federal Disaster Declaration to include Pasco County and Polk County for individual assistance. The declaration now will allow individuals in both counties affected by Hurricane Irma to receive recovery support and disaster assistance. “This is so important because there are many people suffering throughout […]

Scott PowersSeptember 7, 2017

Alarmed by reports of Hurricane Irma evacuees finding empty gas stations throughout South Florida, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is urging FEMA to do something about it. In a letter late Wednesday to William B. Long, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Nelson called on the agency to use “all available resources and authorities” to help […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 6, 2017

U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio sent a joint letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Wednesday asking for money for Florida to be added to the Hurricane Harvey aid package passed by the U.S. House earlier in the day. “Hurricane Irma is now one of the most powerful hurricanes […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 6, 2017

As Irma bears down on Florida, Jacksonville still awaits monies from FEMA for Hurricane Matthew recovery. That money isn’t coming anytime soon. An internal email from Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Todd Smith reveals that the cash-strapped federal relief agency has a priority list — and the roughly $26 million Jacksonville awaits is not […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 5, 2017

Not even a year ago, the city of Jacksonville was sideswiped by Hurricane Matthew: a mega storm that clipped Florida’s East Coast. Power was out in some parts of town for close to a week, and even today, Jacksonville still awaits a big chunk of reimbursements from FEMA. Of $50M in damage from the big […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 5, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday asked President Donald Trump to declare a pre-landfall emergency for Florida in preparation for Hurricane Irma, the Governor’s Office announced. “A pre-landfall declaration will provide important resources and assistance from the federal government and would free up funding sources for emergency protective measures such as shoring up beach dunes, building […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 5, 2017

No rest for Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday, as his daily agenda shows a schedule packed with planning items in advance of Hurricane Irma‘s track toward the state. At 7:30 a.m., the governor had a weather briefing with Division of Emergency Management Director Bryan Koon. An hour later, he was set for a call with county […]

Associated PressAugust 30, 2017

Two weeks before Harvey’s floodwaters engulfed much of Houston, President Donald Trump quietly rolled back an order by his predecessor that would have made it easier for storm-ravaged communities to use federal emergency aid to rebuild bridges, roads and other structures so they can better withstand future disasters. Now, with much of the nation’s fourth-largest […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 30, 2017

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The eyes of the world are on the Gulf Coast right now, as Houston and surrounding areas begin the tortuous process of recovery from Harvey’s torrential rains. Though the federal government has deployed resources for immediate recovery efforts, long-term resources may — if Jacksonville’s recovery from Hurricane Matthew is any guide — be sometime away. […]

Peter SchorschAugust 4, 2017

Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio got a pat on the back from the Florida League of Cities for filing a bill that would protect communities that receive FEMA funds from claw backs years after a disaster strikes. The Post-Disaster Fairness to States Act puts a three-year cap on the FEMA seeking refunds for money handed […]

Tag: FEMA
Debate party at Sports Grill Kendall. Image via AP.

FEMA declares individual disaster relief for Polk, Pasco

Bill Nelson urges FEMA to help with Florida gas shortage

Bill Nelson, Marco Rubio want more FEMA cash in aid bill

In FEMA cash crunch, Jacksonville gets short shrift

Lenny Curry: Jacksonville has ‘adequate reserves’ for Matthew-level impact from Irma

Rick Scott seeks pre-landfall emergency status from feds

Rick Scott on hurricane duty

Donald Trump order undermines rebuilding better for future floods

Lenny Curry talks FEMA: ‘We’re going to get what’s owed to us’

Florida League of Cities applauds Marco Rubio for FEMA claw back bill