Florida Counties Receive FEMA Grants

The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved nearly 1 million dollars for three Florida counties (Lake, Sumter, Volusia) to help keep their citizens safe during tornadoes.

FEMA has announced 12 grants totaling $790,405 toward projects that have total approved costs of $1,053,877. The money comes from Hazard Mitigation Grant program (HMGP) funds FEMA made available to Florida in the wake of tornadoes that struck the state on Christmas Day 2006 and Groundhog Day 2007.

Six of the grants will help improve notification to citizens, including one that is specific to schoolchildren. Four will retrofit public buildings to make them better resist high winds and two will make better communication technology available to first responders.

"These communities obviously worked hard to find ways to use these funds to benefit their citizens. This is a great example of the local, state and federal governments working together to protect and help all," said FEMA Region IV Regional Administrator Phil May.

"We are grateful to Administrator May and our colleagues at FEMA Region IV for their ongoing partnership and commitment to communities across the Sunshine State," added Florida Emergency Management Director Craig Fugate. "These vital mitigation projects will help protect and benefit residents and first responders daily."