Page 14 - HB0623

Mayor’s Message

Federal disaster aid tops $97 million

month and a half have now passed since the flooding disaster struck Fort
Lauderdale. Our community has proven to be resilient and is rebuilding with
the help of our partners in the federal and state government, as well as from
generous friends and neighbors. We owe a special shout-out to all the non-profit
organizations that stepped forward, including the American Red Cross.
More than 5,500 households have received some form of federal assistance since
President Biden issued a disaster declaration and a coordinated recovery effort
launched. FEMA’s lead administrators on the ground tell me that they have paid out
more than $97 million in aid.
That includes about $24 million in direct financial relief for home repairs, temporary
Dean Trantalis rental assistance, lodging reimbursement and other needs such as replacing essential
MAYOR
City of Fort Lauderdale personal property that was destroyed. In addition, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance
dtrantalis@fortlauderdale.gov Program has paid more than $61 million in claims to policyholders for flood damage
and the Small Business Administration has made more than $12 million in disaster loans.
Shortly after the flooding, the city manager and I flew to Washington, D.C., to urge the
administration to take quick action on a decision about federal assistance. The disaster
declaration was expedited, with the president signing the executive order later that day.

More than 100 FEMA workers have been on the ground since. They have opened
disaster relief centers and undertook a door-to-door effort to ensure everyone who
needs help receives it.
The White House sent its senior adviser for infrastructure, Mitch Landrieu, to personally
review the federal response to the unprecedented storms. He joined me in touring hard-
City Hall, 8th Floor hit neighborhoods and talked to residents whose lives have been so heavily impacted.
100 N Andrews Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 As a former mayor of New Orleans, Mr. Landrieu is well aware of what it takes for a
city to recover from a flooding disaster.
Remember that both homeowners and renters can qualify for federal assistance.
A month and a half have now passed since the flooding disaster struck Fort
Lauderdale. Our community has proven to be resilient and is rebuilding with the help of
our partners in the federal and state government, as well as from generous friends and
neighbors. We owe a special shout-out to all the non-profit organizations that stepped
forward, including the American Red Cross.
More than 5,500 households have received some form of federal assistance since
Office Contact President Biden issued a disaster declaration and a coordinated recovery effort
Scott Wyman launched. FEMA’s lead administrators on the ground tell me that they have paid out
Chief of Staff to the Mayor more than $97 million in aid.
swyman@fortlauderdale.gov
954.828.5314 That includes about $24 million in direct financial relief for home repairs, temporary
rental assistance, lodging reimbursement and other needs such as replacing essential
personal property that was destroyed. In addition, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance
Program has paid more than $61 million in claims to policyholders for flood damage
and the Small Business Administration has made more than $12 million in disaster loans.
Shortly after the flooding, the city manager and I flew to Washington, D.C., to urge the
administration to take quick action on a decision about federal assistance. The disaster
declaration was expedited, with the president signing the executive order later that day.

More than 100 FEMA workers have been on the ground since. They have opened
disaster relief centers and undertook a door-to-door effort to ensure everyone who
needs help receives it.

12 HARBOR BEACH Magazine | www.harborbeach.org

6/4/23 4:42 PM
HB 0623.indd 12 6/4/23 4:42 PM
HB 0623.indd 12