TALLAHASSEE, Florida: Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey said early last week that the May 10 tornado outbreak has cost Florida’s capital city US$50 million so far.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has yet to approve the declaration requested by Florida officials to declare a major disaster, which could make local government and individuals eligible for federal assistance.
The city is working with President Joe Biden’s administration and FEMA to reimburse the individuals with aid for the storm response.
“That is where we can be the most impactful as a community and a government, is working with FEMA,” AP quoted Dailey as saying.
As city workers clean up the debris, the total cost to the city will increase.
Six tornadoes struck the Florida Panhandle and Alabama on May 10, and three hit parts of Tallahassee. Officials said the damage is worse than recent hurricanes in the area.
Florida A&M University, Florida State University, and other schools were damaged in the hurricane.
Volunteers have been actively assisting residents in the aftermath of recent storms, focusing on clearing debris and making necessary repairs. On Saturday, members of the Tallahassee Rotary Club contributed by removing a tree from the roof of one home and covering the resulting hole with a tarp to prevent further damage.
In response to the recent storms, Leon County commissioners have allocated $1 million in aid to support individuals and businesses outside of Tallahassee who were impacted and lack insurance coverage. The aid program offers up to $3,500 per household and up to $10,000 per business to help with recovery efforts.
Despite this, the commissioners declined a proposal from one of their members to provide $300 rebates on electric bills from Tallahassee’s city utility and the Talquin Electric cooperative for residents who experienced prolonged power outages.
