WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, at the request of Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, President Biden approved the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s request for an expedited major disaster declaration as they recover from Major Hurricane Ian. The declaration will make federal dollars available to members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida who are impacted by the catastrophic storm.

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, Senator Rick Scott continues to work tirelessly; fighting for Floridians to get the necessary resources as the state recovers. Earlier this week, Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, along with all members of the Florida Congressional Delegation, sent a letter to President Biden in support of Florida’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration due to Hurricane Ian that continues to cause catastrophic conditions across the state. President Biden approved the request. Read the full letter HERE.

Senator Rick Scott continues to travel to impacted areas of Florida—surveying damage and meeting with state and local leaders as the state begins recovery efforts. See more from Sarasota County HERE, Lee County HERE and Charlotte County HERE.

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. Impacted Floridians should not return home until the area is declared to be safe by local officials. Read more from FEMA about returning home HERE. See the latest on Hurricane Ian from the National Hurricane Center at nhc.noaa.gov or @NHC_Atlantic on Twitter, and from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at floridadisaster.org or @FLSERT on Twitter.

Read the full letter HERE or below.

September 30, 2022

President Joe Biden

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We write in support of Chairman Marcellus W. Osceola Jr.’s request for an expedited Major Disaster Declaration for the Seminole Tribe of Florida as a result of catastrophic damage caused by Major Hurricane Ian.  We appreciate your responsiveness thus far in quickly approving requested disaster declarations, and we request that you promptly approve Chairman Osceola’s request, which includes Direct Federal Assistance, Individual Assistance, Category A (debris removal), Category B (emergency protective measures), and Categories C-G (permanent work) Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation. 

The historic hurricane has left a devastating path of destruction across the State of Florida, and the full extent of damage is only just beginning to be documented.  Upon making landfall as a Category-4 storm, Major Hurricane Ian severely impacted Seminole Tribal lands, most notably the Brighton, Big Cypress, and Immokalee Seminole Indian Reservations, and caused substantial damage to utilities, residential and commercial structures, and roadways with flooding and significant debris.  Approving this declaration request will facilitate the recovery phase in the aftermath of Major Hurricane Ian, and will provide the Seminole Tribe of Florida the assistance necessary to recover and rebuild. 

Floridians are resilient and determined, and with cooperation at all levels of government, we will rebuild stronger than ever.  We urge you to approve Chairman Osceola’s request for an expedited Major Disaster Declaration for the Seminole Tribe of Florida.  Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

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