WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance is available to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to supplement response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from Tropical Storm Ernesto beginning Aug. 13, 2024, and continuing.
The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe. This assistance is for all 78 municipalities in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, under the public assistance program, will be provided at 75% federal funding.
Robert Little III has been named Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas.