04/28/2023
April 28, 2023
President signs disaster declaration
for Fort Lauderdale flooding
I'm pleased to announce that President Biden has issued a federal disaster declaration regarding the flooding experienced in the greater Fort Lauderdale area two weeks ago. This once-in-1,000-year storm event caused extensive damage to parts of our community, and this decision by the president will help expedite our recovery.
Individuals and businesses will now be able to apply for disaster assistance. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
This is the FEMA assistance that has proven so helpful to other communities rebuilding following hurricanes, tornadoes or earthquakes.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or using the FEMA App.
City Manager Greg Chavarria and I traveled to Washington, D.C., on Thursday to urge the federal government to expedite a decision on a disaster declaration. I'm happy that our trip showed such quick results.
Among those we met with were Mitch Landrieu, the former mayor of New Orleans who is now the president's senior adviser on infrastructure, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Since the storm occurred, the city has worked closely with state and federal officials to document flood damage so we could boost our chances of obtaining federal assistance. I'd like to thank the governor's office for seeking the declaration and our congressional delegation for lobbying the president's administration to take action.
Fort Lauderdale is a resilient community, and we are on our way to rebuilding.
For anyone interested in helping those in need, please join me tomorrow, April 29, for Fort Lauderdale CARES Day. There will be two signature events to provide resources and items of need to our community impacted by the flooding. The events will take place at the following locations:
Westwood Heights Elementary: 2861 SW 9th St. from 10 until noon.
Floyd Hull Stadium: 2800 SW 8th Ave. from 9 until noon.
People can donate new or gently used children’s clothing, non-perishable foods, hygiene items and cleaning supplies beginning at 9 at those locations. For those in need of help, food, water, books/toys, and social services will be available at the locations in addition to the items being donated.
Sincerely,
Dean