Tyler Watkins
•4/24/2026
Nearly $97 million in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is aimed at supporting recovery for past disasters in Florida.
The funding is part of the $1.2 billion that FEMA announced for over 200 large public assistance projects nationwide.
According to FEMA, one of its recently approved projects in Florida includes more than $19 million to reimburse costs for power restoration and distribution systems. Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC) will receive $11.2 million of that amount for Hurricane Ian, $4 million will go to Sumter Electric Cooperative after Hurricane Milton, and $1.1 million will go to Central Florida Electric Cooperative for Hurricane Helene.
Other reimbursements include more than $17.3 million for countywide debris removal in Sarasota County, nearly $12.3 million for the City of Tallahassee following severe storms in 2024.
According to FEMA, the agency is reimbursing these costs at no less than 75% federal share.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.