Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio support Florida’s request for major disaster declaration and federal assistance.
Following Hurricane Helene causing catastrophic damage along Florida’s Gulf Coast after making landfall as the recent Category 4 storm in the Big Bend, Senator Rick Scott and Senator Marco Rubio, both Republicans, sent a letter to Democratic President Joe Biden urging approval of the State of Florida’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration due to the Category 4 hurricane-force winds and storm surge that impacted much of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
“Unfortunately, Helene’s effects will continue to impact the state for some time, and the full extent of damage will not be known for several days as response and recovery efforts get underway,” the Florida Senators wrote. “However, approving this declaration request will allow Floridians to be better prepared for the recovery phase. As such, we urge you to approve the State of Florida’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration in its entirety.”
President Joe Biden declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Florida and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Helene beginning on September 23, 2024, and continuing.
The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Charlotte County, Citrus County, Dixie County, Franklin County, Hernando County, Hillsborough County, Jefferson County, Lafayette County, Lee County, Levy County, Madison County, Manatee County, Pasco County, Pinellas County, Sarasota County, Taylor County, and Wakulla County.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is also available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in the counties of Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
John E. Brogan of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.
Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the activation of the Florida Disaster Fund to support communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Read the full letter from Republican Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio to President Biden:
RubioScott_hurricanehelene
