City of Fernandina Beach finally fully reimbursed by FEMA for Matthew damage to Marina

By Suanne Z. Thamm

April 13, 2022

Photo taken immediately following Matthew's visit in October 2016.

By email sent at 8:06 this morning (April 13, 2022) Fernandina Beach City Manager Dale Martin notified City Commissioners that the entire FEMA reimbursement for marina repairs has been paid to the City. The total reimbursement from FEMA/Florida Department of Emergency Management for the Marina reconstruction is $7,483,662.15.  Final payment of $1,486,104.88 was received yesterday.

The reimbursement tug of war between FEMA and the City followed City claims for repair of damages to the marina attenuator caused by Hurricane Matthew in October 2016.  Initially FEMA agreed to pay the amount, but then reneged.  Upon appeal, the City won its case.  Money was paid to the City via the Florida FEMA office.

The reimbursement of financing costs (approximately $300,000), however, has yet to be resolved.