The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners has requested the federal government to merge Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton into a single disaster to expedite debris cleanup efforts. The request, made by County Chair Kathleen Peters during President Joe Biden’s visit to St. Pete Beach on Oct. 13, aims to streamline the recovery process by avoiding the need to separate debris from each storm.
Hurricane Milton struck Florida’s Gulf Coast shortly after Hurricane Helene, bringing severe winds that added to the devastation caused by the previous storm surge. Governor Ron DeSantis mobilized round-the-clock cleanup efforts ahead of Hurricane Milton’s arrival, deploying state resources to assist local and county officials in clearing debris from the storms.
The federal government has approved 100 percent reimbursement for debris removal projects in Florida for 90 days, providing additional support for recovery efforts. At the state level, all statutes related to debris removal have been waived to facilitate a swift cleanup process.
Residents impacted by multiple storms are advised to keep their applications to FEMA separate for each event to avoid complications. By simplifying the process and focusing on one storm at a time, individuals can ensure their eligibility for assistance.
Pinellas County’s request for a disaster merger is expected to be granted soon, with Peters emphasizing the importance of expediting recovery efforts. Additional information on the logistics and implications of this merger is being sought from FEMA and Peters’s office by The Epoch Times.
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