Press Releases

Sen. Rick Scott to FEMA & SBA: Robust Federal Response to Hurricane Ian is Critical to Ensuring a Full Recovery for Florida Families & Businesses

October 20, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott again spoke with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Regional Administrator Gracia Szczech and Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman to discuss the ongoing federal response to Hurricane Ian. Senator Scott continues speaking with mayors, law enforcement, business and community and faith leaders, utilities and federal officials to ensure Florida’s families and communities are getting every resource needed to respond to and recover from the devastation Ian caused across the state. Earlier today, Senator Scott also spoke with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to reiterate the critical need for his agency to approve the State of Florida’s request for a USDA disaster declaration and get much needed resources to Florida’s farmers.

 

Senator Rick Scott said, “The loss and devastation caused by Hurricane Ian has forever changed communities across our state and the lives of so many Florida families. In my conversations with FEMA Region 4 Administrator Gracia Szczech and SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman today, I thanked them again for their work to help Florida families and businesses impacted by Ian and made clear my expectations that the Biden administration will keep every needed resource deployed to help those in need. I’ve worked closely with Gracia for years as Florida faced multiple devastating storms and truly appreciate her hard work in response to Ian and commitment to be there for Florida in every step of our recovery. SBA Administrator Guzman and I specifically discussed the critical role that her agency plays in getting resources to small businesses which can mean the difference between keeping the doors open, or closing shop and cutting jobs. I’ve talked to so many small businesses, from restaurant owners in Goodland to chocolatiers in St. Augustine, who are fighting to survive. Keeping our small businesses open is critical to the recovery of Florida families and our communities and must remain a top priority. As we work to get communities back on their feet, I won’t stop fighting to make sure that the federal government keeps showing up.”

 

In preparation for and response to Hurricane Ian, Senator Scott has taken the following actions to assist Floridians: 

 

See Senator Scott's Hurricane Information webpage HERE. Senator Scott urges Floridians impacted by the storm to follow guidance from local officials. Stay up-to-date with information from your local Emergency Management officials. Read more from FEMA about returning home HERE. See the latest on Hurricane Ian response and recovery from FEMA at www.fema.gov/disaster/hurricane-ian and from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at floridadisaster.org or @FLSERT on Twitter.

 

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