Department of Labor awards more than $1.1M to support disaster recovery employment, training as Florida recovers from severe May, June storms

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an initial award of more than $1.1 million in emergency grant funding to support employment and training of workers for cleanup and recovery activities after storms in north and south Florida in May and June 2024 spawned five tornadoes and flooded 17 counties.

The National Dislocated Worker Grant of up to $3.36 million allows the Florida Department of Commerce to provide people with temporary cleanup and recovery jobs in these areas.

On May 10, 2024, storms affected major interstates, roadways, airports, schools, businesses and other critical infrastructure in north Florida. Many businesses were damaged, causing lengthy closures. In some instances, the storms forced about 50 business closures and relocations, leading to more than 120 worker layoffs. 

In south Florida, hazardous conditions created by storms from June 11 to 14, 2024, stranded drivers, closed schools and cancelled many flights. Water inundated numerous mobile home parks, damaging property and destroying furniture and vehicles. In the region, damage closed at least 18 businesses and displaced more than 250 employees. 

On June 17, 2024, the Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a major disaster declaration that enabled the state to request federal assistance for recovery efforts in north Florida. The declaration allows the state to request federal assistance for recovery efforts in Baker, Gadsden, Hamilton Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties. 

On July 1, 2024, the Small Business Administration issued the Economic Injury disaster declaration, allowing the state to request federal assistance for recovery efforts in Broward, Collier, Hendry, Monroe, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties.

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, the funding also enables the state to provide training and services to individuals in the affected communities. 

The department’s Employment and Training Administration oversees National Dislocated Worker Grants, which expand the service capacity of dislocated worker programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events that lead to significant job losses.