Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera announced on Monday the allocation of $882,625.47 in FEMA funds to address damage and emergency needs caused by Tropical Storm Ernesto in 2024. Of that total, $299,767.20 will go to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (AEE) for emergency protective measures addressing immediate threats to public health, safety, and property caused by the storm.
The remaining $582,858.27 will go to the Municipality of San Lorenzo for three road infrastructure repair projects: $234,891.15 for repair or replacement of subbase, surface, embankment, and related road components; $204,311.73 for repair or replacement of road surfaces, embankments, walkways, and related components; and $143,655.39 for repair or replacement of road culverts and related components. Hernández Rivera said the funds allow for addressing concrete damage and continuing to rebuild infrastructure, and pledged to keep working to bring federal resources to Puerto Rico's communities.
The funds correspond to federal disaster declaration FEMA-DR-4850-PR and were authorized under sections 403 and 406 of the Stafford Act. FEMA obligates the funds to the Puerto Rico government, which then reviews and reimburses entities carrying out eligible work.