Panhandle residents denied FEMA assistance
PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) — Some residents of the Florida Panhandle who sustained damage during two tornadoes that touched down in February will not receive individual assistance through FEMA.
The News Journal reports (http://on.pnj.com/22OwWuQ) that the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied the state's request for individual assistance for residents, including low-interest loans, grants and temporary housing assistance.
Florida officials have 30 days to appeal the decision.
Escambia County was struck by back-to-back tornadoes on Feb. 15 in Century and then on Feb. 23 in Pensacola and urban areas of Escambia County.
The Feb. 15 tornado damaged 161 buildings, destroying 49 homes and three commercial structures.
The Feb. 23 EF3 tornado destroyed 44 structures. The tornados also caused heavy damages to hundreds of other buildings.
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Information from: Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal, http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com