Dean Trantalis proposes 'supplemental' money for flooding victims

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis returned from meetings with officials in Washington, D.C., late last week, steeled from his conversations with Biden administration officials about help in recovering from last month’s flooding. As a result, he said he plans to ask the City Commission at today’s meeting “that we consider a supplemental amount of money to help people get back on their feet.”

Trantalis told reporters he and City Manager Greg Chavarria had urged the feds to expedite the disaster declaration. “I’m happy that our trip showed such quick results. Among those we met with were Mitch Landrieu, the former mayor of New Orleans who is now the president’s senior advisor in infrastructure, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg,” he said. 

“Since the storm occurred, the city has worked closely with state and federal officials to document flood damage so we could boost our chances of obtaining federal assistance. I’d like to thank the governor’s office for seeking the declaration and our congressional delegation for lobbying the president’s administration to take action. Fort Lauderdale is a resilient community, and we are on our way to rebuilding,” Trantalis added.

At today’s meeting, commissioners will get an update on City Hall, which also flooded and remains closed, and will likely give the city manager direction on what to do next. Commissioners have said they do not want to move back into the building, in which the waters ruined electrical and air conditioning systems, according to city spokesperson Ashley Doussard. 

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