FEMA approves more than $400 million for Midwest disaster recovery projects

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KBSI) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced more than $400 million in funding to support disaster recovery efforts across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

The funding will go toward Public Assistance projects, which help state and local governments recover from major disasters. Eligible projects include debris removal, emergency protective measures and the repair or replacement of damaged public infrastructure.

The Midwest funding is part of $1.2 billion FEMA said it is allocating for more than 200 large Public Assistance projects nationwide.

Officials said FEMA continues to address a backlog of funding requests while operating during a lapse in appropriations, which has reduced the Disaster Relief Fund — the agency’s primary source of disaster response and recovery funding.

Recent projects approved in the region include:

• $12.8 million to the University of Iowa for emergency measures supporting health care facilities and preventing the spread of COVID-19
• $165,000 to Pleasant Township in Butler County, Kansas, for surface repair and replacement
• $51.2 million to Lester E. Cox Medical Centers in Missouri for emergency staffing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19
• $318,000 to the Omaha Airport Authority in Nebraska for building and site repairs

FEMA said it will continue working with Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska to support state-led recovery efforts.