The Latest: FEMA says ‘a lot wrong’ with PR contract

The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency says there was "a lot wrong" with a $300 million no-bid contract awarded to a tiny Montana company to aid Puerto Rico. FEMA Administrator Brock Long tells Congress that FEMA officials only learned about the contract awarded to Whitefish Energy Holdings after it had been signed by the board of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority.

Puerto Rico authorities request $10 million to pay Whitefish

Puerto Rico authorities are asking FEMA to pay $10 million for the power restoration efforts underway by Whitefish Energy Holdings, CNN has learned. Word from the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority of the request came hours after FEMA Administrator Brock Long told members of Congress at a hearing on Tuesday that agency funds have not been used to compensate the company.

Hurricane Maria evacuees start over in the Tampa Bay area

Times Puerto Rican evacuee Shamira Melendez, 4, watches "Finding Dory" on a tablet while her mom Ivana Reyes, 22, talks to representatives from local agencies while her son Jezel Garcia, 1, snoozes in his stroller at the Hispanic Outreach Center Thursday 11/2/2017. - Pinellas County government hosted a bilingual panel Thursday featuring community organizations providing help for local Hurricane Maria evacuees from Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico models Hurricane Maria recovery program after Louisiana strategy: report

A new recovery program in Puerto Rico aimed at getting people back in their homes as quickly as possible after Hurricane Maria will be modeled after one used by Louisiana following the historic flooding in 2016, according to WBRZ , a Baton Rouge television station. Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello formerly launched Puerto Rico's version of Louisiana's Shelter at Home program Monday while Gov. John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards were visiting the island.

Puerto Rico Cancels Whitefish Energy Contract

Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority is canceling its controversial $300 million contract with Whitefish Energy Holdings to restore the island's hurricane-ravaged electrical grid, officials announced Sunday. Ricardo Ramos, executive director of PREPA, said at a press conference he would honor Puerto Rican Gov. Ricardo Rossell's Sunday morning request to terminate the business deal, which has raised questions from several lawmakers and government agencies.

FEMA ‘not a party’ to $300M contract with tiny Mont. firm

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Friday it had no involvement in the decision to award a $300 million contract to help restore Puerto Rico's power grid to a tiny Montana company in Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's hometown. FEMA said in a statement that any language in the controversial contract saying the agency approved of the deal with Whitefish Energy Holdings is inaccurate.

Puerto Rico utility moves to scrap $300M Whitefish contract

The head of Puerto Rico's power company said Sunday the agency is cancelling its $300 million contract with Whitefish Energy Holdings amid scrutiny of the tiny Montana company's role in restoring the island's power system. The announcement by Ricardo Ramos came hours after Gov. Ricardo Rossello urged the utility to scrap the deal for Whitefish's help in rebuilding the electrical system from the damage inflicted by Hurricane Maria.

Puerto Rico governor wants to cancel shady $300 million Whitefish energy contract

Whitefish Energy Holdings workers restore power lines damaged by Hurricane Maria in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, Oct. 15. The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Friday it had no involvement in the decision to award a $300 million contract to help restore Puerto Rico's power grid to a tiny Montana company in Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's hometown. Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo RossellA3 wants to cancel a tiny Montana company's $300 million contract to restore power to the storm-hit U.S. territory and expects help from the governors of Florida and New York, his office said on Sunday.

Puerto Rico gov seeks to cancel $300M Whitefish contract

Puerto Rico's governor on Sunday demanded that the board of the island's power company cancel the $300M contract with Whitefish Energy Holdings amid increased scrutiny of the Montana company's role in Hurricane Maria recovery efforts. The announcement by Gov. Ricardo Rossello comes as federal legislators seek to investigate the contract awarded to the small company from Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's hometown.

Puerto Rico power contract a local issue: White House

The Trump administration scrambled Friday to distance itself from the decision to award a $300 million contract to help restore Puerto Rico's power grid to a tiny Montana company from Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's hometown. The White House said federal officials played no role in the selection of Whitefish Energy Holdings by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority.

Still struggling with hurricane recovery? Help is available from FEMA, Small Business Administration

Help is still available for local homeowners and business owners who suffered damages - both physical and economic - during Hurricane Irma. Village Manager John Gilbert and Mayor Mayra Pena Lindsay met with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Small Business Administration October 24, and encouraged residents to be aware of the relief opportunities being offered.

Trump administration disavows Puerto Rico power contract

The Trump administration said Friday it had no involvement in the decision to award a $300 million contract to help restore Puerto Rico's power grid to a tiny Montana company in Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's hometown. White House spokesman Raj Shah said Friday that federal officials played no role in the selection of Whitefish Energy Holdings by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority.

Rep. Huffman seeks assurance from FEMA

After hearing that some eligible applicants are going without federal assistance in the wake of October's wildfire disaster because of concerns they might expose family members and others to deportation, Rep. Jared Huffman led a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency asking for clarification on the agency's immigration policies.

.com | More than 73 000 Puerto Ricans flee to Florida after Hurricane Maria

More than 73 000 people have fled emergency conditions at home to Florida since Hurricane Maria devastated the US territory in the Caribbean. The island of about 3.4 million was ravaged by the megastorm and a majority are still without electricity, while others in isolated areas are continue to await services and help.

FEMA recovery center on St. Simons closing Saturday

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced in a news release it will be closing the disaster recovery center in the St. Simons Island police station precinct Saturday. Operated jointly by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency and FEMA, the center, 1964 Demere Rd. on St. Simons Island, will close for the foreseeable future at 3 p.m. The center in the Camden County Recreation Center, 1050 Wildcat Blvd., will also close at 3 p.m. Saturday.