Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is sending $11.8 million to Lee County to help the area recover from Hurricane Irma.
Last week, FEMA announced it would reimburse Lee County’s expenses removing debris after the hurricane hit the area back in September 2017. The funds will come through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and will cover expenses from Sept. 18, 2017 through Oct. 17, 2017.
“During that time period, county workers and contractors gathered and hauled away 549,538 cubic yards of vegetative, construction and demolition debris from roads and public property for landfill disposal,” FEMA noted.
On Monday, U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla., applauded the announcement.
“I commend FEMA for providing this grant to Lee County,” Rooney said This grant will reimburse the county for incurred expenses relating to debris removal during Hurricane Irma. I am thankful that FEMA awarded this grant to help our community recover financially from the devastating storm that greatly impacted Southwest Florida.
“Hurricane recovery is a significant cost burden for local governments, and it is vital that the federal government aid and assist in the process of responding to natural disasters,” Rooney added.
First elected to Congress in 2016, Rooney recently announced that he will not run for a third term in 2020.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
