From Devastation to Recovery: One Month After Hurricane Irma

[The Patriot]

From Devastation to Recovery: One Month After Hurricane Irma

10-11-2017 06:02 AM

Release Date:
October 11, 2017


For Immediate Release
FEMA News Desk
Phone: 202-646-3272

ORLANDO, Fla. – From Pensacola on the west end of the Panhandle to Key West, Hurricane Irma has had a severe impact across the state of Florida.

A combined federal, state, local, and private sector response resulted in restoration of power to 99.9% of the population within 10 days of landfall. At peak, there were some 60,000 utility linemen in the state. Fuel depots were established around the state that provided gas to first responders and utility workers, allowing them to continue working uninterrupted.

As we move into recovery, FEMA, state and local governments are committed to assisting Floridians in rebuilding their lives after the storm. Registering with FEMA is the first step in beginning the recovery process. Nearly 2.4 million homeowners and renters who suffered damage as a result of Hurricane Irma have already registered. The deadline to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for possible federal disaster assistance is Nov. 9.

In the one month since the major disaster declaration in Florida, the recovery continues. Here is a look at whole community progress made through the efforts of tireless emergency workers, volunteers and community organizers.

$847 million

More than $847 million in state and federal disaster assistance funding has been approved for Hurricane Irma survivors and their communities.

$494 million for housing, $245 million for other needs

Individuals eligible for assistance received more than $494 million for housing assistance and more than $245 million for other needs.

Survivors of Hurricane Irma in Immokalee, Florida line up at the Immokalee High School Red Cross Shelter to donate needed supplies for their community. As donations are made, distribution of those products also takes place.

4,536 roofs

Operation Blue Roof, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers program FEMA tasks in disasters, placed plastic sheeting over the damaged area of 4,536 home roofs to help prevent further damage.

Contracted workers install a blue tarp on a roof damaged by Hurricane Irma as a part of FEMA / The Corps of Engineers "Operation Blue Roof" program in Monroe County (Cudjoe Key), Florida on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Photo by J.T. Blatty / FEMA

18,000 referrals

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance crews made nearly 18,000 referrals to non-profit programs serving individuals and communities of Florida, including the 211 telephone-based service, faith-based and affiliated charities, American Red Cross, aging services, crisis counseling and veteran’s services.

Hearts with Hands is one of many voluntary groups providing disaster assistance in response to Hurricane Irma. They are giving food and supplies to survivors that drive through their distribution site in Naples, Florida.

6.7 million total meals

More than 6.7 million meals have been provided by volunteers. Among them were American Red Cross members who provided nearly 1.2 million meals and snacks.

Shane Vansant (right) and Joshua Howard hand out food to Hurricane Irma survivors at a supply distribution point in Key West, Florida on Monday, September 18, 2017. Photo by J.T. Blatty / FEMA

65,654 survivors

Disaster Survivor Assistance teams met face-to-face with 65,654 survivors to assist them in registering and obtaining information about resources and assistance.

FEMA disaster survivor assistant Paul Balsam (center) on foot in Big Pine Key, Florida, helping Hurricane Irma survivors register for assistance on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017.

2.4 million

Nearly 2.4 million survivors have applied to FEMA for disaster assistance.

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistants provided help in registering survivors of Hurricane Irma with FEMA at Senator Rubio's Recovery Assistance Center in Immokalee, Florida.

216,528 housing inspections

216,528 FEMA housing inspections, an essential part of the recovery process, have been completed.

Kissimmee, Fla, Oct. 9, 2017-- FEMA Inspector, Christopher Caso, performing an inspection on a home damaged during Hurricane Irma.

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Topics:
Disaster Response and Recovery,
Disaster Survivor Assistance,
Disasters


Keywords:
disaster relief,
emergency response,
federal response,
FEMA,
Hurricane,
Hurricane Irma,
natural disasters




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