FEMA to pay $3.9 million for Hurricane Katrina cleanup in Gulf Shores

GULF SHORES, Ala. (AP) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency will pay $3.9 million of a disputed $4.6 million claim for Hurricane Katrina cleanup work in Gulf Shores.

City officials got the news this week. Gulf Shores and the federal agency have spent two years at odds over the claim, which was related to the city’s efforts to recoup the millions of dollars it spent returning storm-blown sand to the shoreline.

But City Administrator Steve Garman says he’s still awaiting the outcome of a separate fight with FEMA over $8.8 million tied to the cleanup of 2004’s Hurricane Ivan. That could involve $3.9 million.

Katrina forced 500,000 cubic yards of beach sand onto roads.

FEMA approved $6 million to clear the sand. The work later added up to $9 million. When city officials asked for more money, FEMA said no.