WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden approved federal disaster relief funding for nine Florida counties in the wake of Hurricane Ian, the White House said on Thursday, adding that as officials assessed Losses after Hurricane Ian, more areas may be approved later.
“Assessment of damage in other areas continues and may be designated for assistance when the assessment is fully completed,” the White House said in a statement ahead of Biden’s visit to FEMA headquarters late Thursday. Time for the latest briefing on the storm.
The move allows access to federal grants to help affected residents and business owners obtain temporary housing, repair homes, obtain low-cost loans for uninsured property damage and otherwise recover, it said .
It also allows local governments and other groups to share the cost of removing debris, according to the White House.
These funds are earmarked for Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardy, Hillsboro, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties .
Biden is scheduled to visit the Federal Emergency in Washington at noon (GMT 1700 GMT) FEMA headquarters.
The damage from the Category 4 storm was “catastrophic,” the head of FEMA said Thursday.
