VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The Volusia County Council has approved a $133.5 million Hurricane Milton recovery plan to help improve infrastructure and to buy out the property of some residents whose homes were flooded during the storm.

The plan is being funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant—Disaster Recovery program.

About $80 million will go to infrastructure and mitigation projects that strengthen stormwater systems, upgrade outdated drainage and reduce vulnerability to future storms, according to a statement released by the county. The county will partner with Volusia County cities and nonprofit organizations to repair damage caused by Hurricane Milton and boost the infrastructure that helps protect communities in the county from future disasters.

Approximately $20 million will fund a voluntary buyout program for owners in high-risk areas whose property has been damaged by storms multiple times. The land acquired will be preserved as open space or used for floodplain restoration to try to reduce the risk of future damage, according to the statement.

Another $20.2 million is set aside for a repair and replacement program to help eligible low- to moderate-income homeowners rebuild their lives after storm damage, the statement said.

The county held a series of meetings with members of the community to determine the priorities of most importance to residents, who shared their experiences and concerns at the meetings, at public hearings and via an online survey.

The proposal still must be sent to HUD for review and approval.

For more information on the home recovery program, visit the Transform386 website.