The state of Florida is appealing a denial of federal aid for damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. The federal government says the state and counties should be able to shoulder the cost of repairing beaches eroded by the storm.
But Florida is appealing to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to try and get $45 million in relief money.
Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Bryan Koon says, although the storm did not directly hit Florida, South Florida beaches suffered significant erosion.
“Anything we can do to offset that cost to the local governments and get those communities and those beaches back up and restored as soon as possible is going to help Florida’s economy,” Koon said.
He said, the money could be used to remove debris, renourish beaches and repair any other public structures in the six affected counties.
He said, he does not expect a response from the federal government until after the new year.
