Lee County receives Hurricane Irma reimbursement for debris removal

Author: Lee County Government
Published:
FILE photo of debris pickup after Hurricane Irma – Photo by WINK News

The Lee Board of County Commissioners this week received wire transfers of $17.7 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for debris removal costs incurred during Hurricane Irma.

This is the county’s single largest reimbursement of funds since Irma hit in 2017. Last month, the county received a reimbursement of $2.2 million for debris removal.

In all, the county requested $40.4 million in expenses incurred to recover from the hurricane. The federal government’s 90% share totals $36.4 million, and the State of Florida’s 5% share is $2 million. The county has received $20.7 million to-date.

In August, Gov. Ron DeSantis requested that the federal cost-share be increased from 75% to 90% based on the magnitude of damages from Irma. That request was approved.

Hurricane Irma made landfall in Lee County – one of only three Florida counties to take a direct hit – on Sept. 10, 2017. The county collected 2.7 million cubic yards in debris post-storm.

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