Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the allocation of $7.8 million in additional relief funds to communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The funds, distributed through the Florida Disaster Fund, will support various recovery efforts, including assistance for schools, first responders, and homeowners.
“Florida sees disaster recovery through to the end, and thanks to our state’s good financial standing, we are able to help those who were devastated by hurricanes this year,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I’m pleased to make these awards today in our continued efforts to help Floridians get back to normalcy.”
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The aid package includes:
- $500,000 for school district foundations: This funding will support teachers and staff who worked tirelessly to reopen schools quickly after the hurricanes. This is in addition to over $750,000 already provided to school districts impacted by the storms.
- $300,000 for first responders: This allocation recognizes the dedication of Florida’s first responders who worked tirelessly in search, rescue, and recovery efforts. This brings the total support for first responders to $700,000 this hurricane season.
- $7 million for home repair and rebuilding: This significant investment will help homeowners repair and rebuild their damaged homes. The initiative will be further amplified through partnerships with organizations like Home Depot and non-profits that provide assistance with debris removal and home repairs.
DeSantis also highlighted the progress made in debris removal, with over 30 million cubic yards cleared since the storms. This achievement is on track to meet the Governor’s goal of removing most debris within 90 days of the hurricanes.
This latest round of funding demonstrates the state’s ongoing commitment to supporting communities impacted by the hurricanes and ensuring a comprehensive recovery process.
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