FEMA shares updated numbers regarding Hurricane Ian recovery in SWFL. Here's what we know

Samantha Neely, Fort Myers News-Press
·6 min read

With the six-month anniversary of Hurricane Ian just two weeks away, FEMA officials say that nearly $1.1 billion in individual assistance has been approved for 383,000 families affected by the Category 4 hurricane across the state.

Also, $3.2 billion has been dispersed in National Flood Insurance Program claims.

Southwest Florida residents within the hardest hit counties, such as Lee, Charlotte, Collier and DeSoto, are especially seeing immense progress and relief when it comes to post-Ian recovery efforts.

Since the beginning, FEMA officials have stated that they are providing survivors with funds for rent, home repairs and hotel stays, as well as apartment leases, travel trailers and manufactured housing units, and other disaster-caused expenses. By law, FEMA is not allowed to duplicate insurance payments or assistance provided by other agencies or programs.

Previous FEMA update:What we know about the $1 billion in assistance to help SWFL Ian survivors

Lee Health projects: Lee Health responding to growth in Cape Coral with slate of projects

John Mills, FEMA external affairs officer, spoke with The News-Press Monday afternoon about these updated Hurricane Ian recovery statistics, stressing that FEMA is continuing to address every household's needs one on one.

"FEMA is continuing to work closely with people who have been severely affected by Hurricane Ian. A lot of people still are in between homes … they may have a temporary place to stay, but they know that's not where they're going to be living for a more permanent amount of time," Mills said. "We are working with people one-on-one, especially those who need help the most. We're paying particular attention to older people and people who use wheelchairs or who may have some other access and functional needs because a variety of housing options may not be suitable for everyone's needs. That's why we're taking extra time to work with people one-on-one."

Here's how the new numbers break down and what residents need to know:

How many residents received individual assistance so far?

Over $1 billion in FEMA Individual Assistance has been given to residents across the state, which includes temporary rental assistance, basic home repairs, and other needs not covered by insurance.

Here's how it breaks down as of March 11:

  • Lee County - $442 million for 97,000 households

  • Charlotte County - $89 million for 26,000 households

  • Collier County - $53 million for 14,000 households

  • DeSoto - $22 million for 4,500 households

The fastest way for FEMA to provide assistance is to provide money directly to survivors who have needs related to the hurricane and don't have insurance coverage, such as basic repairs, temporary rental assistance and property clean up.

Mills had explained back on Feb. 28 that this is money that is directly paid to survivors, both homeowners and renters. It does not need to be repaid, however he noted that insurance is the first line of defense after a disaster.

How many residents have received emergency temporary housing?

Since Hurricane Ian's hit on the region, 4,550 households statewide have needed emergency housing from FEMA. These programs include hotels, apartments or manufactured housing, with 921 of those households in Lee County.

As of last week, the number has since dwindled down to 1,300 households statewide currently in temporary housing, with:

  • Lee: 493 households, 171 in hotels and 322 in either apartments or manufactured homes

  • Charlotte: 208 households, 69 in hotels and 139 in either apartments or manufactured homes

  • Collier: 25 households, 21 in hotels and 4 in either apartments or manufactured homes

  • DeSoto: 83 households, 17 in hotels and 66 in either apartments or manufactured homes

For Lee County, Mills said areas, like Harlem Heights, Tice, Dunbar, Fort Myers Beach and Cape Coral, have received a significant amount of FEMA funds for needs not covered by insurance.

How many FEMA's National Flood Insurance claims have been dispersed?

$3.2 billion has been dispersed to roughly 46,000 claims statewide through the FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program, increasing over $1 billion since Feb. 21.

According to officials, the NFIP provides flood insurance to property owners, renters and businesses, helping them recover quicker once floodwaters recede. The NFIP also works with communities required to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations that help mitigate flooding effects.

Here's how it breaks down as of March 11:

  • Lee: $2.1 billion for 27,000 claims

  • Collier: $555 million for 7,500 claims

  • Charlotte: $43 million for 2,000 claims

  • DeSoto: $7.9 million for 140 claims

Mills highlighted the $2.1 billion in Lee County alone, saying it's one of the reasons why many are seeing a dramatic recovery effort in the county.

Are disaster recovery centers still open? How much traffic have they received?

FEMA assistance centers within Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties:

  • Lakes Regional Library - 15290 Bass Road, Fort Myers, 33919

  • Lake Kennedy Center - 400 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, 33915

  • Beach Baptist Church - 130 Connecticut St., Fort Myers Beach, 33931

  • Cultural Center of Charlotte County - 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte, 33952

  • Tringali Rec Center - 3450 N. Access Road, Englewood, 34224

Mills said more than 81,000 households have visited a FEMA disaster recovery center to meet one-on-one with FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration about getting assistance.

Here are some of the busiest DRC centers with how many unique visits they've received:

  • Lee - Lake Regional Library: 13,000 households visited

  • Lee - Cape Coral, Lake Kennedy Center: 5,500 households

  • Lee - Fort Myers DMS building: 4,700 households

  • Charlotte - Tringali Recreation Center: 8,200 households

  • Charlotte - Port Charlotte Cultural Center: 2,300 households

  • DeSoto - Brewer Sports Park: 2,200 households

What else is being done to help SWFL residents?

Mills said that FEMA is continuing to work closely with local governments and eligible non-profits to help survivors get reimbursements through the state for debris removal, emergency protective measures and the restoration of infrastructure and facilities.

Local governments will complete the work, follow contracting laws, rules and regulations at the local, state and federal levels. Then the projects are developed and submitted to FEMA for reimbursement, who will cover at least 75% of the cost.

After FEMA reviews and approves completed projects and documentation, Mill said FEMA provides reimbursement funds to the state. The state does a final review before providing the reimbursement money to the local government.

Projects and eligible costs are being determined at this time, Mills said.

FEMA is also working on issues such as the removal of derelict vessels, waterway debris removal, and debris removal including commercial property debris removal and private property debris removal.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Hurricane Ian: FEMA shares updated recover statistics for SWFL