Governor: More than $5.7M coming to Tampa Bay area for storm, disaster preparedness

A total of $75 million will be awarded to communities and counties throughout the state.

TALLAHASSEE — More than $5.7 million will be coming to the Tampa Bay area from the state to help local governments and communities better prepare for future storms and potential natural disasters, the governor's office announced Wednesday.

A total of $75 million will be distributed to 30 communities across Florida through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's Rebuild Florida Critical Facility Hardening Program, the governor's office said.

The DEO program "allows local governments to increase the resiliency of critical facilities that serve a public safety purpose for local communities," according to the governor's office.

Tampa Bay area grants include:

• Hillsborough County ($1,029,000) – harden the roof, all doors and windows, and install an emergency back-up generator at the Hillsborough County All People’s Life Center.
• Pasco County ($57,521) – install new hurricane shutters at the Pasco County Mike Fasano Regional Hurricane Shelter.
• Polk County ($1,060,000) – replace the roof of a special needs shelter and mitigate against future storms at the Polk County Specialty Care Clinic.
• City of New Port Richey ($572,005) – replace the roof, windows, doors, generator, HVAC, and EIFS system at the city of New Port Richey’s Fire Station 1.
• City of Winter Haven ($778,800) – replace the roof, windows, and doors at the city of Winter Haven’s Fire Station 2.