ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County has released its plan for allocating Hurricane Ian federal relief money following several public meetings.

In the proposal, the county lays out where they want the $220 million in FEMA Hurricane Ian relief money. Orange County estimates about $440 million is needed to fund Ian-related projects.

The category for housing relief leads is allocated with the most funds at nearly $109 million.

Infrastructure and public facilities would also receive about $60 million.

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In an attempt to prevent flooding, almost $30 million is drafted to go towards mitigation.

Without homeowners insurance at the time Ian hit, Marvin and Brittany Diaz said they rebuilt their Orange County home themselves inside the Rio Pinar Golf and Country Club Estates.

“Nine days. We had just purchased a home, and nine days later, this big Ian comes in,” Marvin Diaz said.

A few houses away from the Diaz family, Eric Blake said in the time since Hurricane Ian, flooding has continued to be an issue along Pilar Drive.

“I love this home. This to me was a dream home when I got it about 10 or 11 years ago, and now I just have fear. Every time, you never thought about a rainstorm, not in this area,” Blake said.

Monday began a 30-day public comment period, which allows residents to submit their opinions on the plan to the county’s website.

The Board of Commissioners is expected to approve a final budget sometime in early 2024.

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About the Author:

Troy graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. He has reported on Mexican drug cartel violence on the El Paso/ Juarez border, nuclear testing facilities at the Idaho National Laboratory and severe Winter weather in Michigan.