MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — FEMA announced this week that the agency is awarding a $1,500,000 grant to the City of Marco Island for a generator at the city's Water Source Facility. The generator will ensure that water pressure is maintained, as well as treated to make the water potable in the event of a power outage.
Islander Bob Brown, a former city council member, was one of those who stayed on the island when Hurricane Irma made landfall in September 2017. He remembers what a pain it was when the water stopped running after the power went out.
"It was just bottled water to drink," Brown said. "It was a very frustrating situation."
He said the generator is needed at the water facility. Without it, he said the city isn't prepared for another hurricane like Irma.
"We don't know how often we're going to get those (hurricanes)," Brown said. "(The generator) should help us out with our emergency needs."
The generator will also make sure water is available for emergency crews to put out fires in the aftermath of a major storm.
