FEMA approved $17.5 for Wilmington’s Florence clean-up

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The City of Wilmington is getting back millions of dollars it spent to clean up after Hurricane Florence hit back in September.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today it has approved more than $17.5 million to reimburse Wilmington for debris removal after the storm. The money helps cover the costs the city incurred between Sept. 20, 2018, and Feb. 22.

As early as November the city said its Florence clean-up costs were already approaching $25 million.

FEMA says its Public Assistance program provides grants to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations to reimburse the cost of debris removal, emergency protective measures and permanent repair work.

Public Assistance is a cost-sharing program. FEMA reimburses applicants at least 75 percent of eligible costs, and the remaining 25 percent is covered by the state of North Carolina.

FEMA says its share for this project was about $13.1 million. The federal share is paid directly to the state, which disburses funds to agencies, local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations that incurred costs.