Miles SmithThe Federal Highway Administration is allocating $802 million for emergency relief funding to help states repair and rebuild roads and bridges damaged during storms, flooding, mudslides and other natural disasters.
Repairs in 36 states, Guam and Puerto Rico will receive federal reimbursement funding through the program this year, the FHWA said.
California will receive $183.3 million – the largest allocation – for reimbursement for repairs resulting from events dating back to 2014. Puerto Rico will receive the second largest allocation at $110.3 million.
Florida will receive $110 million to recover from damages caused by hurricanes from 2020 to 2023.
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“The effects of climate change are dramatically impacting the lives of so many communities across our country,” said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Kristin White. “Since December 2021, FHWA has distributed nearly $4.2 billion in Emergency Relief funding, which helps states repair and recover from climate events and natural disasters.
“This federal funding is critical to ensure our nation’s roads, bridges, and tunnels remain safe and people can safely get where they need to be.”
The program includes funding for continued repairs from damage caused by Hurricanes Ian and Fiona in 2022, flooding and mudslides in Vermont in 2023 and severe atmospheric rivers in California occurring from 2022-2024.
A list of Emergency Relief Program allocations for each state, Guam and Puerto Rico can be found here.
U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Davis, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
