FEMA grants more than $ 2.8 million to the people of Palm Beach to cover expenses caused by Hurricane Irma

                                                                                        
Orlando, Fla.– The people of Palm Beach will receive a grant of $ 2,869,116.56 through the Public Assistance Program (PA) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to Help defray the costs incurred in repairing the beaches that were damaged by Hurricane Irma.
 
On August 23, 2019, the President approved an adjustment to the distribution of costs that authorized federal Public Assistance funding by 90 percent of the total eligible costs in accordance with FEMA-4337-DR-FL, declared for the hurricane Irma The $ 2.8 million represents an additional 15 percent for the cost of replacing almost 850,000 cubic yards of sand on the beach of Phipps Ocean Park and two others; before, 75 percent of the eligible costs had been granted.
 
Funding for this PA project is authorized in accordance with Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Act, reimbursing eligible applicants for expenses incurred for the collection of debris; emergency protection measures implemented to save lives; and arrangements, replacement or restoration of disaster damaged facilities, such as buildings, streets and public services.
 
The FEMA Public Assistance grant program is an essential source of funding for communities recovering from a federal disaster or emergency. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) works with FEMA during all stages of the PA program and performs final reviews for projects approved by FEMA.
 
Applicants work with FEMA directly to develop project worksheets and work areas. After approval by FEMA and FDEM, FEMA obligates the funds for the project.
 
The FEMA Public Assistance program provides grants to state, tribal and local governments, and to certain types of private nonprofit organizations and praise temples, so that communities can respond and recover quickly after major disasters or emergencies.
 
The federal part for Public Assistance projects is a minimum of 75 percent of the eligible cost. The state determines how the non-federal portion of the project expenses (a maximum of 25 percent) will be shared with applicants, such as local or county governments.