Gulf, Liberty Counties Added for Public Assistance from Tropical - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

Gulf, Liberty Counties Added for Public Assistance from Tropical Storm Debby

Posted: Updated:

The federal government today approved Public Assistance for 20 requested counties to be included in the federal disaster declaration due to the impacts of Tropical Storm Debby across Florida. Three additional counties were approved for Individual Assistance, including Duval, Nassau and Union counties.

Public Assistance provides grant assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures. Costs for repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly-owned facilities can also be covered under Public Assistance. The counties approved to receive Public Assistance include: 

  • Baker
  • Charlotte
  • Citrus
  • Clay
  • Columbia
  • Dixie
  • Franklin
  • Gulf
  • Hamilton
  • Hernando
  • Jefferson
  • Lafayette
  • Liberty
  • Manatee
  • Nassau
  • Pasco
  • Sarasota
  • Suwannee
  • Union
  • Wakulla

Public Assistance from the federal declaration comes in conjunction with the earlier approval of Individual Assistance for eleven Florida counties. State, tribal, local governments and certain types of private non-profit organizations in the 20 designated counties should visit www.FloridaPA.org to create an account within 30 days of a presidential declaration to apply for Public Assistance.

Federal Individual Assistance makes federal and state assistance available to individuals and families. Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated county can begin applying for individual assistance starting today by registering online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Tropical Storm Debby made landfall June 27 in Steinhatchee, FL. Impacts from the storm were felt statewide. The primary concern from Tropical Storm Debby was the prolific amount of rainfall and the resulting flooding impacts. Six rivers across Florida reached major flood stage, and two rivers, the Sopchoppy and the St. Marys, reached record breaking crests.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 – November 30. To GET A PLAN! visit www.FloridaDisaster.org. For the latest information on the 2012 Hurricane Season, follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/flsert and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FloridaSERT.