FEMA

Several Southwest Florida counties will share in nearly half a billion dollars in FEMA public assistance recovery funds for Floridians impacted by disaster. The funds will be distributed through FEMA’s Public Assistance program to support more than 500 recovery projects across the state. This money is disbursed to the state and local communities for disaster recovery projects.

Mullock Creek Preserve in Lee County and surrounding areas were submerged in more than 8 feet of water during Hurricane Ian. To address this, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) updated the emergency flood maps for residents and property owners surrounding the preserve, nearly four years after Ian’s landfall. But there’s a common misconception regarding these maps and why they are revised—one Donald Duke, Ph.D., a Florida Gulf Coast University professor in the Department of Ecology and Environmental Studies, said property owners in all areas need to remain privy to.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency this week said it spent about $11 billion helping people and communities recover from back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Nearly $8 billion of that went to pay claims at the National Flood Insurance Program

Florida officials have been accused of failing to disclose their application for federal reimbursement for an immigration detention center in the Everglades known as "Alligator Alcatraz." A public records lawsuit filed Monday by Friends of the Everglades says this led to a false impression before an appellate court panel, which put on hold a judge's order to wind down operations at the facility. Florida applied for federal funding in August but didn't inform either a federal district court or an appellate court panel. Federal officials confirmed that a $608 million reimbursement had been approved for the center earlier this month.

After years of trying to secure FEMA funding for restoration efforts, The City of Naples took a new approach; asking a political donor to establish a connection to cut through political red tape.

Florida communities continue to be trampled with an annual barrage of dangerous storms. The Federal Government spends billions to rebuild, but cuts to programs like FEMA are making it difficult.

As part of of budgets cuts, staff reductions were made to both NOAA and FEMA. As Hurricane Season arrives, the Trump Administration is looking to add over 100 employees to help stabilize operations.

Federal agencies hope to replenish funds for disaster recovery, which will certainly affect Florida.

FEMA officials notified municipalities on Thursday, Nov. 21 whether or not their ratings qualify them for incentive discounts ... or not

FEMA held a press conference in Punta Gorda to discuss disaster relief assistance for those impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Officials emphasized the importance of registering for aid, addressed concerns about the Disaster Relief Fund, and announced an extended grace period for residents with lapsed National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies.