NEW YORK — FEMA has approved nearly $747 million in Hurricane Sandy assistance to fund emergency efforts and help repair and rebuild public infrastructure in New York County.

To date, local, state and federal recovery officials have identified 270 projects from applicants in New York County that are eligible for Public Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The $746,565,434 in assistance represents 90 percent of the cost of approved PA projects that have been reimbursed by FEMA. The state manages the PA program and disburses funding.

A breakdown by category of work:

         Debris Removal                                                   $170,758,677

         Emergency Protective Measures                         $530,762,853

         Roads and Bridges                                              $    9,952,621

         Buildings and Equipment                                    $  24,630,302

         Parks, Recreational, and Other Facilities            $  10,460,981

More than $2.85 million of this funding was approved for the Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority. Federal funds were used to repair the electrical systems supporting the authority’s Esplanade and Battery Ball field that had been inundated with salt water.

Also, more than $9.1 million is included in the funding for New York County for permanent work that will reduce or eliminate repeat disaster damage.

PA applicants included:

• state agencies
• local and county governments
• private nonprofit organizations that own or operate facilities that provide essential government-type services

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.