FEMA announced more than $2.5 billion in storm recovery funding for Florida; a project-level breakdown is not yet available.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the funding Nov. 9 through its Public Assistance program. The program reimburses state and local governments for infrastructure repairs, debris removal and emergency expenses from hurricanes and tropical storms dating back to 2017, First Coast Observer reported. The funding covers more than 500 projects statewide.

Federal and state officials have not released a project-by-project breakdown or specified how much will flow to Northeast Florida counties, including St. Johns.

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody said in a press release that she began working on the reimbursements after she was appointed to the Senate. "These are funds that communities have been waiting on for years," Moody said. Her office said some of the recovery funds had been pending since 2017.

What the money covers

Eligible categories include repairs to roads, bridges, public buildings, schools and water and sewer systems, according to First Coast Observer. Debris removal and emergency protective measures taken during and after disasters also qualify.

The program does not provide direct aid to individual homeowners. It reimburses public entities and certain qualifying nonprofits for disaster-related expenses.

Moody also introduced the Transparency in Recovery Assistance & Claims Knowledge Act, known as the TRACK Act, which passed into law, according to her office. The law requires a status tracker on the FEMA website so disaster victims can monitor their claims.

St. Johns County's FEMA projects

St. Johns County has existing FEMA-related business before its Board of County Commissioners. A July 21 BCC agenda included resolutions for a South Ponte Vedra FEMA Category G Project and a Ponte Vedra-South Ponte Vedra Beach Coastal Risk Storm Management Project. Both involved coordination with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Joseph Giammanco, the county's emergency management director, was listed as the contact for those items.

What residents should know

The Nov. 9 announcement is a commitment of federal funds, not a disbursement, First Coast Observer reported. Money must still flow from FEMA through the state Division of Emergency Management to individual applicants. No single disbursement date has been announced. Reimbursements will continue on a rolling basis as paperwork is completed.

Residents wanting to track which local roads, parks or facilities are slated for repairs should watch BCC meeting agendas, according to First Coast Observer. Budget amendments accepting federal grant revenue and construction contracts authorized by the commission are the clearest signals a project is moving forward.

The St. Johns County BCC meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 9 a.m. in the county auditorium at 500 San Sebastian View in St. Augustine. The next meetings are Tuesday, Nov. 17, and Dec. 1. Residents can call County Administration at (904) 209-0530 with questions about the agenda.