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Panama City says agreement with FEMA clears path to repair thousands of road segments from Hurricane Michael
Summary
City staff told a March workshop that Panama City reached agreement with FEMA on methods of repair for roads damaged after Hurricane Michael and expects to prepare bid documents this year for repairs estimated around $10 million; the city said repairs are reimbursement-based and cover more than 350 segments.
During the transportation impact-fee workshop, a citizen asked for an update about stalled road repairs from Hurricane Michael. Jonathan Hayes, City Manager, said the city recently reached agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency on the method of repair for hundreds of road segments damaged after the 2018 storm and that staff would move forward preparing bid documents.
Hayes said the city expects to repair about 300–350 road segments and estimated the project at roughly $10 million, subject to final scope and pricing negotiated with FEMA. "It's an actual reimbursement," Hayes said, adding that if the final cost is higher (for example, $12 million) the city would seek reimbursement for the full amount. Hayes said the work is largely reimbursement-driven because FEMA will cover eligible costs.
Hayes also said the city had previously documented pavement-condition changes that supported its appeal to FEMA and that federal judicial review had been involved in similar cases. He credited outreach and support from U.S. senators and a congressman in coordinating with FEMA as the matter moved forward.
Ending: Hayes said bid documents would be prepared in the near term and that the city expects work on the road repairs to occur during the current year; he characterized the agreement with FEMA as the key recent step to unlock the reimbursable repairs.
