Nearly a year after Hurricane Matthew, Hilton Head waits for more than $20 million from FEMA

The Town of Hilton Head announced Monday it has received an additional $10.8 million in reimbursements from the federal government for Hurricane Matthew recovery, according to a release.

To date, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has reimbursed the town $12,553,843, the release said. The town is expecting about $24.5 million more from FEMA.

Total federal reimbursement is expected to be $38 million, $37 million of which should come from FEMA, town officials said previously.

On Aug. 14, the town received its first FEMA reimbursement check for $1.3 million. Since then, the town has received checks for $6.7 million, $3.9 million and $49,280, according to John Troyer, director of finance.

The town so far has spent more than $46 million on recovery from the Oct. 8 hurricane and expects the total cost to exceed $66 million, the release said. To fund recovery, the town used disaster and other reserves, and a $20 million short-term note.

In a recent video update, town manager Steve Riley said certain capital improvement projects, including the Coligny Park project, have been put on hold because of a lack of cash flow after depleting reserves for hurricane recovery. The Town Council recently approved a property tax increase to replenish the town’s hurricane recovery fund.

Some state funding has been approved for the town, but amounts have not yet been finalized, Monday’s release said.

This story was originally published August 29, 2017 at 9:26 AM with the headline "Nearly a year after Hurricane Matthew, Hilton Head waits for more than $20 million from FEMA."