Storm recovery work and hurricane-hardening projects across Florida are receiving more than $94 million in federal support, spread across dozens of local efforts.
Among the biggest items in the package is an award of more than $11 million for Pinellas County, plus separate mitigation funding to strengthen Port Richey government buildings to withstand winds up to 151 mph, the Tampa Free Press reported.
Here's what to know
Florida's share comes from a nationwide distribution worth $896 million that covers more than 620 local disaster-recovery projects, including 121 in the state.
The funding is linked to damage from Hurricanes Milton, Helene, Debby, Ian, and Idalia.
No Florida recipient received more in this round than Pinellas County, which was approved for over $11 million connected to Helene and Milton.
The money covers debris hauling, emergency site operations, and Emergency Operations Center staffing.
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Sarasota County also landed a major award, with nearly $8 million set aside for road repairs, public parks, and restoration of eroded parts of Manasota Key Beach.
Utilities received sizable grants as well, including more than $7 million for the Orlando Utilities Commission and over $5 million for Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative.
More background
Most of Florida's total, about $79 million, is being provided through FEMA's Public Assistance program, which reimburses local governments and service providers for storm cleanup, emergency protective work, and repairs to public infrastructure.
That funding can cover post-hurricane costs such as clearing debris, reopening roads, staffing emergency operations centers, repairing electrical equipment, and restoring public areas like Manasota Key Beach.
More than $15 million from the overall Florida package is being distributed through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which supports local projects intended to reduce damage before future storms arrive rather than covering losses afterward.
Florida's state government will manage $5 million of that mitigation funding for residential work, including buyouts, demolitions, elevating structures, and rebuilding in vulnerable areas.
What's being done?
Overall, the awards address two needs: paying for storm recovery and funding measures meant to limit future damage.
The funds reimburse response expenses that local governments often must cover first, including debris removal and operating emergency sites during major storms.
In Pinellas County, those reimbursements apply to cleanup work, field operations tied to Helene and Milton, and staff time at the Emergency Operations Center.
In Sarasota County, the money funds road and park repairs and restores damaged sections of Manasota Key Beach after five separate storms.
For future protection, nearly $1 million is going to Port Richey to reinforce city hall, police buildings, and fire stations so they can withstand 151-mph winds.
The state's separate mitigation pool will back residential buyouts, demolitions, elevations, and rebuilding projects intended to reduce repeated storm losses.
Describing the broader national package, agency officials said the awards are part of a larger push to reshape federal disaster response and "ensure that taxpayer money is spent only on projects and programs that deliver safety and security to the American people."
Where can I learn more?
For more on how Florida is handling hurricane recovery and resilience, these stories cover recovery roadblocks, home backup power, and repair aid for vulnerable homeowners.
• After Isaias, Black families in Florida faced longer outages and steeper recovery burdens.
• In Cortez, solar- and battery-powered homes stayed cool, lit, and online through Helene and Milton.
• In Palm Beach County, low-income homeowners can seek up to $100,000 for repairs.
• Hillsborough County offers repair aid to homeowners dealing with structural and safety problems.
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