This evening, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) applauded the decision by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to include Palm Beach County and Broward County, among others, to the list of counties eligible for Individual Assistance. In FEMA's initial Major Disaster Declaration issued on September 10, only nine counties were listed as eligible for Individual Assistance.

"Over the last day I spent many hours on the phone urging the White House, FEMA, and the Governor's office to consider the widespread damage in Palm Beach and Broward counties. I'm grateful for their cooperation, and I'm now thrilled to see that FEMA amended the Major Disaster Declaration to include these counties on a list of eligible counties for Individual Assistance," said Congressman Deutch. "Our community endured hurricane-force winds, severe flooding, and significant storm surge, and many residents are now having to deal with the costly aftermath of Irma, including downed power lines, uprooted trees, and destruction to homes and other property. As the storm finally leaves our state, residents will need all the help they can get as they begin the long rebuilding process."

Eligible residents of Palm Beach and Broward counties can obtain relief by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov.

The amended Major Disaster Declaration can be read below.




STATE OF FLORIDA

FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION FACT SHEET

SEPTEMBER 11, 2017

On September 10, 2017, President Donald J. Trump issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Florida triggering the release of Federal funds to help people and communities recover from Hurricane Irma that began September 4, 2017, and continuing. This disaster declaration has been amended as indicated below in bold. Details of the disaster declaration and assistance programs are as follows: 

Declaration Number: FEMA-4337-DR

Incident: Hurricane Irma

Incident Period: September 4, 2017, and continuing

Federal Coordinating Officer: Justo Hernández
National FCO Program

Individual Assistance (IA): (Assistance to individuals and households):

IA-Designated Counties: Broward, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, Duval, Flagler, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Putnam, Sarasota, and St. Johns.

Public Assistance (PA): (Assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities):

PA-Designated Counties: All 67 counties in the State of Florida for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent federal funding. For a period of up to 30 days from the start of the incident period, FEMA is authorized to provide federal funding for emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct federal assistance, at 100 percent of the total eligible costs.

Hazard Mitigation (HM): (Assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards):

HM-Designated Areas: All counties and Indian Tribes in the State of Florida are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

OTHER: Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Individuals in Broward, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, Duval, Flagler, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Putnam, Sarasota, and St. Johns Counties can register with FEMA the following ways:

• Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. 
• Constituents may call the registration phone number at 1-800-621-3362; those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.