Emergency management says Hernando has submitted millions in FEMA claims; reimbursements may take years

Erin Thomas, Hernando County's emergency management director, told the commission the county has submitted substantial public-assistance claims to FEMA and state partners. "For hurricane Helene, we have captured $3,038,974.52 in total project costs. For Milton, we have captured $15,813,424.71," Thomas said, describing work already documented for reimbursement.

Thomas explained FEMA's public-assistance process and where Hernando stands in the review: emergency-work category B (emergency protective measures) is roughly 95% complete; category A debris removal is only about 5% complete; and permanent-work project submissions were about 25% complete. She added the public-assistance reimbursement pathway is "exceptionally lengthy," and while extensions can be requested, counties often wait years to receive full payment.

Commissioners pressed staff about timing and cash flow: finance staff confirmed the county had received expedited payments for debris-monitoring and related work, with an approximately $7.1 million advance already received. Commissioners discussed how incoming FEMA funds should be treated (reserves, specific debris accounts, or debt service) and noted that some debris-reserve buckets are kept separately from general-fund policy reserves.

Why it matters: FEMA reimbursements can materially affect year-end reserves and the need for cuts or reserve draws in the county budget. Commissioners and staff acknowledged the uncertainty in timing and quantity of future reimbursements.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 1566, topfinish SEG 1646.