NEW YORK — FEMA has approved more than $2.5 million in Hurricane Sandy assistance to fund emergency efforts and help repair and rebuild public infrastructure in Orange County.

To date, local, state and federal recovery officials have identified 81 projects from applicants in Orange County that are eligible for Public Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The $2,597,561 in assistance represents 90 percent of the cost of approved PA projects that will be reimbursed by FEMA. The state manages the PA program and disburses funding.

A breakdown by category of work:

         Debris Removal                                                   $1,596,191

         Emergency Protective Measures                         $   776,408

         Buildings and Equipment                                    $   137,982

         Utilities                                                                $     30,071

         Parks, Recreational, and Other Facilities           $     56,908

$30,740 is included in the funding for Orange County for permanent work to 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.