FEMA approves $41.5M for hurricane protection projects in SWFL

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (WINK) — FEMA announced on Monday more than $41.5 million in funding to Florida, Georgia and South Carolina for long-term projects that will make local communities more resilient to disasters.

This funding is part of the more than $137 million that FEMA announced for more than 50 projects nationwide.

Cape Coral will receive $10.5 million to provide wind protection and backup power to the city hall building, and to design a hurricane-safe room for the emergency operations center.

Charlotte County will receive $7.4 million to design hurricane-safe rooms and provide backup power to the county's leachate waste plant and landfill.

Fort Myers will receive $3 million to install a generator at a fire station, provide backup power at the South Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant and for the design and engineering phase of a plan to reduce downtown flooding.

These awards are from FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which empowers states, local governments, tribal nations and territories to complete activities and projects that prevent, eliminate or reduce disaster-related damage.

FEMA will provide funding to the states for disbursement to local governments.