PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The Madeira Beach Community Development team will host a meeting Wednesday on the FEMA 50% rule.

Officials are expected to discuss what the FEMA 50% entails and how it relates to permitting and reconstruction post hurricanes.

The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. at City Hall Commission Chamber located at 300 Municipal Drive in Madeira Beach.

Municipalities in the Bay area are focusing on clarifying the rule after back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The rule applies to homes in flood prone area and limits the cost of improvements to a structure at 50-percent of its market value. The rule may be confusing and different municipalities can have different interpretations of the rule and how it's applies.

Still, FEMA officials said they don't want that to discourage anyone from applying for assistance.

"Part of this whole entire process is when we have the inspectors come out,” said Jovana Garcia, an Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist with FEMA. “Of course you have the inspectors from your insurance, we have our inspectors come out to the home, but then that 50% rule, that's something that will be done on a case-by-case individual home.

“So we want people to look into any information that they're receiving from us."