NEWS

Obama declares major disaster from Hermine

Jeff Burlew
Democrat senior writer

President Barack Obama on Wednesday declared a major disaster in Florida from Hurricane Hermine, opening the door to a range of federal assistance.

Under the declaration, Leon County is in line to receive both individual assistance to help residents fix their homes and public assistance to help local governments cover costs like electric repairs and debris pickup.

When Hermine knocked out power in Tallahassee, the city's sewage pump stations failed - spewing 1.6 million gallons of sewage.

Gov. Rick Scott asked for the declaration earlier this month. Rep. Gwen Graham, D-Tallahassee, wrote Obama in the storm’s immediate aftermath asking for an expedited declaration.

“I thank President Obama for recognizing the impact Hurricane Hermine had on North Florida,” Graham said Wednesday. “Our community rallied together to help each other through the storm and its aftermath — and the federal assistance stemming from this declaration will help us continue to recover.”

The declaration would allow 16 counties to get either individual assistance, public assistance or both. The counties are Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Pasco, Pinellas, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla.

However, Leon is the only county in the Big Bend eligible under the declaration for individual assistance. Graham said her office will be working on additional requests for individual assistance in Franklin, Taylor and Wakulla counties.

“I’m working to make sure all North Florida families affected by the storm receive the aid they deserve,” she said. “While some rural counties are still under federal review, I’m hopeful FEMA will expedite our request to expand aid to Franklin, Taylor and Wakulla.”

With a major disaster declared, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will offer help for individuals such as grants for temporary housing and home repair and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses. The declaration also makes Tallahassee and Leon County eligible to be reimbursed for 87 percent of their debris removal costs and 75 percent of their other costs.

Mayor Andrew Gillium noted Hermine had an immense financial impact on the community, with recovery costs already above $10 million.

“This declaration is paramount to our local recovery effort,” Gillum said, “and will go a long way toward mitigating the costs incurred by our residents, businesses and the local government.”

Hermine made landfall just east of St. Marks on Sept. 2. The Category 1 storm left about 100,000 people in Leon County without power, some for days, and destroyed or heavily damaged nearly 200 homes, according to preliminary damage assessments. It also toppled hundreds of trees, creating thousands of tons of debris.

"Shortly after the storm, county and city crews were in the field assessing the damage caused by high winds and downed trees, said County Commission Chairman Bill Proctor. "By documenting the community-wide damage, including more than one hundred homes, we helped secure FEMA assistance and aid for our residents."

How to apply for FEMA help

Residents and business owners can begin applying for FEMA help starting Thursday by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.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 9 p.m. local time seven days a week until further notice.

Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or follow @JeffBurlew on Twitter.