Although it has been several months since Hurricane Ivan caused widespread damage throughout Alabama, Dallas County has yet to fully recover.

“Four months later, we are still cleaning up debris and still have to dispose of it,” said Brett Howard, Dallas County Homeland Security/EMA Director.

To date, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) has given over $735 million in disaster assistance to counties in Alabama. Dallas County residents have received over $4 million from these agencies.

“They were pretty quick to help those individuals who were devastated (by the hurricane),” said Howard. “I can’t speak for everybody, but most residents should have received something by now.”

According to Howard, the money will be used to help people repair homes that were damaged.

County and city agencies are also in the process of receiving disaster assistance funds.

“You don’t budget for a hurricane,” said Howard. “Something like that extends an already tight budget way over (the limit).”

Funds will be available to help repair roads and bridges, renovate highway right-of-way locations, and widen culverts to better handle water loads.

“There are grants to help similar damages from occurring,” said Howard.

One such grant, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), will provide funding to help put up more warning sirens, build community shelters, and implement other long-term mitigation measures.

Because the cleanup process has required such a long term commitment, agencies will also be reimbursed for the expenses that were incurred.

“This will help the city recoup the cost of overtime to pay the firefighters, police officers, sheriff’s officers, and other public workers,” said Howard. “I hope that all of this will be said and done before hurricane season begins again.”