The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved more than $97 million for community resilience, critical infrastructure restoration and mitigation measures in Puerto Rico, part of $584 million approved across the U.S. and its territories under FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation programs, according to a FEMA statement circulated Thursday. Nearly all the Puerto Rico funds—$95.1 million—come under the Public Assistance program.
This includes $14 million to the Ports Authority to repair piers 9, 11, 12, 13 and 14 in San Juan, damaged by Hurricane María in September 2017; $1.2 million to the Municipality of Comerío to replace sewer systems; and $1.1 million to the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP) to repair the Culebra bridge, both María-related. The Municipality of Cayey will get $980,000 to repair road surfaces, embankments, sewers and safety barriers damaged by Hurricane Fiona.
About $2 million is designated for hazard mitigation, including $1 million for Patillas to buy and install generators at its library, mayor’s office, multipurpose center and citizen services office. Vega Alta will receive $537,000 for two generators after the 2020 earthquakes, and Aguas Buenas will get $387,000 for storm shutters and generators following María.