ORLANDO, Fla. – In the 100 days since the Sept. 10, 2017 presidential disaster declaration following Hurricane Irma’s destructive path through Florida, the state, with help from federal partners, has progressed from response to significant recovery.
Milestones point to this progress:
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$2.49 billion in survivors’ pockets
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More than $1 billion in disaster assistance low-interest loans approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
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$958 million approved for survivors through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individuals and Household Program (IHP)
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$519.8 million National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) payments on claims
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26,274 volunteers from about 270 voluntary agencies logged more than 1.24 million hours to help survivors
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Nearly 303,747 homes visited by FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance teams
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$3.2 million in Disaster Unemployment Assistance to more than 5,900 Floridians who lost work or income due to Irma
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99,973 Floridians received face-to-face assistance at Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) throughout the state
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13,370 temporary roofs were installed. Operation Blue Roof has been completed in the state of Florida
As of Dec. 14, federal agencies have provided more than $2.49 billion to help cover losses caused by Hurricane Irma. This includes money paid out to NFIP policyholders, through low-interest disaster loans from U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and from FEMA grants. These funds make it possible to begin rebuilding homes and restoring communities.
Soon after Hurricane Irma struck, FEMA sent Disaster Survivor Assistance teams to affected areas informing survivors of available assistance. These teams spoke with and delivered information to about 190,000 people.
More than 2.6 million survivors in the designated counties have registered for assistance. At the peak of the response to Hurricane Irma, 22 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) were open to assist survivors with registration and answer questions. The remaining two open DRCs close permanently this week.
Individuals and families received more than $940 million in FEMA grants, including $160 million for repair of disaster-damaged housing and nearly $490 million in rental assistance.
SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and business owners. The SBA has approved more than $1 billion in disaster loans to help over 28,400 businesses and residents to repair, rebuild, replace and recover.
The NFIP has received more than 27,555 claims and paid more than $519.8 million to policyholders, including advance payments to help homeowners with repairs.
Public Assistance (PA)
Currently, FEMA and the state are assessing projects submitted for federal disaster assistance. FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides grants to state and local governments and certain nonprofit entities for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent restoration of infrastructure. To date, 1,174 Requests for Public Assistance have been received by the state. The federal share of assistance for this disaster is 75 percent of eligible costs.
Voluntary Agencies and Unmet Needs
Volunteers from the state of Florida and across the country are lending their time and talent to the Hurricane Irma recovery efforts. Currently, volunteer agencies, faith-based groups, local service clubs and individual volunteers are helping with cleanup and rebuilding from Jacksonville to the Keys. Together, these volunteers are assisting in resolving unmet needs and clearing the way for recovery.
For more recovery information, visit www.FEMA.gov/IrmaFL, or follow us @FEMARegion4 on Twitter and on FEMA’s Facebook page.
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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.
FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.