The City of Danville will receive more than $2 million in the first disbursement of federal disaster recovery funds from Tropical Storm Michael and Hurricane Florence last fall.
Of the total, $1.87 million is reimbursement for eligible damages and disaster-related costs incurred due to Tropical Storm Michael. The remaining $186,255 is for costs incurred due to Hurricane Florence.
Eligible costs include debris removal, emergency protective measures, and public infrastructure repairs.
City officials have submitted a total of $5.2 million in claims from Tropical Storm Michael. Those claims are in various levels of review. Additional claims will be made as costs are finalized.
Tropical Storm Michael hammered the city on Oct. 11 with excessive rainfall rates and gusty winds, which resulted in widespread flash flooding and power outages. The storm damaged 200 sites across the city.
Hurricane Florence moved through Danville on Sept. 16. Its biggest impact was power outages. Danville Utilities and contract crews worked overtime to restore service.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management last week announced the awarding of post-disaster recovery funds to reimburse local governments, state agencies, and private non-profit organizations, including 11 volunteer fire departments, for damages and disaster-related expenditures associated with the storms.
Funds are made available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) public assistance grant program. Virginia is expected to receive approximately $73 million in federal funding for both disasters.
In addition to FEMA grants, the City of Danville is seeking $3.2 million from the Federal Highway Administration for reimbursement for eligible damages and disaster-related costs incurred due to Tropical Storm Michael. These claims are for damages along primary thoroughfares, including U.S. 58 and U.S. 29.
