Residents in St. Augustine and St. Johns County are gearing up to tackle flooding issues thanks to a collaborative effort between local authorities and a consulting firm. As reported by the City of St. Augustine, a series of workshops will take place in August to assist homeowners in applying for the 2025 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) funding. Quality Engineering and Surveying (QES), LLC is the consultancy guiding through the program's application process.
Encompassing diverse parts of the county, the meetings are designed for optimal access. Scheduled are they on August 13 at 3:00pm at the Southeast Branch Library, and twice on August 14, at the Alcazar Room of City Hall, with sessions at noon and 5:30pm. Each meeting will include a presentation, a question and answer segment, and opportunities for individual discussions with representatives from QES.
Intended for those applying for the upcoming 2025 Application Cycle, the workshops promise crucial information for participation. Sheriffs of knowledge in the field, QES consultants will not review any documents before these initial gatherings. However, homeowners are encouraged by QES to ensure they hold an active National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Flood Policy and possess a current elevation certificate for their respective properties.
Applicants who are already weaving through the threads of a previous FMA grant application also have not been forgotten. They are urged to reach out to Andy Daray, the QES Project Manager, with any queries regarding their ongoing submittals at [email protected]. This initiative reflects a proactive community strategy, confronting a future where water, unabated, could claim dominion over thresholds once thought safe from nature's grasp.
For more detailed information or media-related inquiries, the informative bridge to cross includes Melissa Wissel, Communications Director for the City of St. Augustine, who can be reached at 904-293-3307 or via email at [email protected]. Meanwhile, Wayne Larson, Public Affairs Director for St. Johns County, is accessible at 904-426-2128 or via email at [email protected], prepared to connect inquisitive minds with further insights into the FMA Program's inner workings.
