Emergency declarations end, but Seminole's FEMA wait goes on

SEMINOLE — After months of extensions, the city has officially ended the emergency declarations for hurricanes Helene and Milton — although nearly two years later it is still waiting for more than $1.2 million in federal disaster reimbursements.

The city council unanimously approved resolutions July 14 terminating the local states of emergency after completing repairs to the storm-damaged municipal building.

Seminole expects to receive $1.586 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for costs related to the two 2024 hurricanes, according to city figures.

Based on those estimates, the city has received about $372,000 so far, while the remaining $1.214 million is pending federal review and approval.

Nearly $1.078 million of the outstanding reimbursement is tied to Hurricane Milton debris removal.

City Manager Ann-Toney Deal told council members the reimbursement process could last several years.

"Interestingly enough, I believe Monday we got our final closeout on Hurricane Ian," said Deal, referring to the day before the council meeting. "If that gives you some indication of the time frame we may expect to see some of the reimbursement."

The city ended up receiving $148,028.06 in FEMA reimbursement for Hurricane Ian, which struck in 2022.

Repairs for water intrusion to city hall after Helene and Milton cost about $198,000, figures show.

Deal said the city issued its final payment to the contractor this week, allowing officials to close out that portion of the recovery. She said furniture damaged by the storms was credited against the contractor's final bill without affecting the city's FEMA reimbursement request.

Mayor Leslie Waters said the emergency declarations had remained in place until the city completed repairs and finalized the related paperwork. The council then terminated the declarations.

"It takes a long time dealing with FEMA," Waters said before the council approved the resolutions.

City officials noted that the reimbursement figures are preliminary and depend on FEMA approving submitted projects and the completion of remaining eligible reimbursement requests.