Charlotte County awarded $7.4M for future storm protection

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—Charlotte County is getting $7.4 million in FEMA money to help during future storms.

For many people in flood-prone areas in Charlotte County, preparing for a storm is a way of life. While county leaders say this money will help protect the community, people who've lived through these storms say they're still waiting to see how.

Hurricane preparation starts way before a storm. For many in Charlotte County, the biggest concern is not having a safe place to go.

"I remember the last hurricane; we were stuck in our closet for 18 hours," said Nicki Capitola.

"So the concern is what happens to the elderly, the people that don't have a place to go," Capitola said.

That's where this $7.4 million FEMA grant comes in. Part of that money will help design hurricane safe rooms.

WINK News asked Patrick Fuller, with emergency management, what the timeline is to actually see these things turn into reality.

"So they don't happen overnight. When you talk about mitigation grants or any federal funding, those grants come with very specific requirements, and it's not like you get a check and you're executing a construction plan and then getting design permits in place," Fuller said.

Fuller said the money is for the design process, not the construction, which could take three to four years. For some, that timeline raises questions.

"I reserve judgment on the county because I have not investigated what they do versus what they do not do," said Mark Angelosi.

The funding will also help provide backup power to a county solid waste facility. It shut down for nine days after Hurricane Ian.

The goal is to keep essential services running during future storms.

"I just hope that they use it for something that's beneficial to everyone and to protect," Capitola said.

County leaders say these projects are part of a long-term plan to make the area more resilient. But with some still in the design phase, many people say they'll be watching closely to see when those plans become reality.