The U.S. Department of Labor has announced an initial award exceeding $1.1 million in emergency grant funding to support employment and training initiatives for workers involved in cleanup and recovery activities following severe storms in north and south Florida during May and June 2024. These storms resulted in five tornadoes and flooding across 17 counties.
The National Dislocated Worker Grant, which could total up to $3.36 million, enables the Florida Department of Commerce to provide temporary jobs focused on cleanup and recovery efforts in the affected regions.
On May 10, 2024, storms impacted major interstates, roadways, airports, schools, businesses, and other critical infrastructure in north Florida. The damage led to about 50 business closures or relocations and more than 120 worker layoffs.
In south Florida, hazardous conditions from storms between June 11 to June 14 stranded drivers, closed schools, and canceled numerous flights. Flooding damaged property in several mobile home parks and destroyed furniture and vehicles. The region saw at least 18 business closures displacing over 250 employees.
A major disaster declaration was issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency on June 17, enabling federal assistance requests for recovery efforts in Baker, Gadsden, Hamilton Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla counties.
On July 1, the Small Business Administration issued an Economic Injury disaster declaration allowing similar federal assistance requests for Broward, Collier, Hendry Monroe Miami-Dade Palm Beach counties.
Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 funding also facilitates training services for individuals within these communities.
The Employment and Training Administration oversees National Dislocated Worker Grants aimed at expanding service capacity of dislocated worker programs at state and local levels through financial aid responding to significant job losses caused by large-scale economic events.
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