ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ended a program the city of St. Petersburg was depending on to help improve resiliency against future storms.

The city was expecting millions of dollars from FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Community (BRIC) program.

“The city has long used these funds to make key resiliency improvements across our city and elevate homes to reduce flood risk,” said a city representative.

FEMA said it is ending the BRIC program to help ensure that grant funding aligns with the president’s executive orders, and to support states and local communities in disaster planning, response and recovery.

“The BRIC program was yet another example of a wasteful and ineffective FEMA program. It was more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters. Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, we are committed to ensuring that Americans in crisis can get the help and resources they need,” said a FEMA spokesperson on their website.

The City of St. Pete had plans to improve several lift stations. One of them was on BJ Phillips’ street in Coquina Key.

“Our street was blocked off because there was so much water,” Phillips said. “We had water, like up to, probably up to like the window on a vehicle.”

She said she’s had problems with FEMA trying to get her home back to together after the hurricanes. So she said she is not surprised to hear about the cuts.

“That’s crazy because we need the assistance,” Phillips said. “Let it happen to you and then call it waste.”

There are areas in the city that were not included in the list of lift stations, where residents said they need help even without a hurricane.

“My biggest concern is 1st and 58th continues to be a water pool,” said Pamela Strong. “Every single time we have a torrential downpour it is a nightmare in that area.”

She said she and her neighbors have struggled with FEMA. And she said she would like to see the state take over the agency.

“I appreciate hearing the governor say he wants to take FEMA over, heck yeah. FEMA has been nothing but a nightmare,” Strong said. “I kind of understand that they have incurred so much debt, but if it’s not FEMA where is it we pay for taxes for this? We pay for our city, state; we pay for help, and if we can’t get help where do we go?”

City officials said they are focused on strengthening the city’s infrastructure to ensure long-term resilience and working across all levels of government on behalf of residents.

“The city is committed to enhancing resilience through our bold program of accelerating infrastructure investments and resilience efforts. This program, called St. Pete Agile Resilience Plan (SPAR), anticipates $1.5 billion of infrastructure investments over the next five years to strengthen neighborhoods and utilities against flood and wind. In addition to federal and state grant programs, funding for these efforts could come from adjustments to utility rates, issuance of bonds, or reallocation of general funds,” said a city spokesperson.

FEMA estimates more than $3.6 billion will remain in the Disaster Relief Fund to assist with disaster response and recovery for communities and survivors.