FEMA Sending $16.3 Million for Bay District Schools for Hurricane Michael Recovery

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on Monday that it has approved an additional $16,352,427 to reimburse Bay District Schools for emergency protective measures resulting from Hurricane Michael which hit the Panhandle in October 2018.

The funds reimburse the district for the cost of setting up and operating temporary daycare centers, emergency repairs, inspections, mold and water remediation, and providing security during and after the storm. Previously, FEMA had awarded $22,564,102 for these costs.

FEMA has already approved $69 million for the district’s Hurricane Michael-related expenses, bringing the total of grants approved to more than $85.3 million.

This grant is funded by FEMA’s Public Assistance program, an essential source of funding for communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) works with FEMA during all phases of the program and reviews projects prior to FEMA’s final approval.

Applicants work directly with FEMA to develop projects and scopes of work. FEMA obligates funding for projects to FDEM after final approval.

Once a project is obligated, FDEM works closely with applicants to finalize grants and begin making payments. FDEM has procedures in place designed to ensure grant funding is provided to local communities as quickly as possible.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to state, tribal and local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.