WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, following the landfall of Hurricanes Helene and Debby, Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell urging expedited reimbursements to provide much-needed budget relief to local governments in Florida facing looming budget shortfalls due to outstanding reimbursements from previous hurricanes. In the letter, the senators emphasize that without FEMA timely reimbursements, disaster recovery efforts may be disrupted.

The senators wrote, “Given the devastation in Florida, municipal budget shortfalls could further exacerbate the challenges our communities are facing. Delivering outstanding FEMA reimbursements for costs associated with past storms will help provide the budget flexibilities needed for a robust response to Helene. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.”

Read the full letter HERE or below. 

Dear Administrator Criswell: 

Thank you for your efforts, to date, in response to Hurricane Helene. Following the landfall of Hurricane Helene on September 26, 2024, some affected county and municipal governments in Florida face looming budget shortfalls that could severely disrupt ongoing disaster response and recovery efforts. In light of these challenges, we write to request you expedite outstanding reimbursements to local governments affected by Hurricanes Irma (DR-4337-FL), Michael (DR-4399-FL), Ian (DR-4673-FL), and Idalia (DR-4734-FL). 

With the compounding impacts of Hurricanes Debby and Helene, some local governments in Florida face budget shortfalls that could affect their ability to pay wages, overtime, and other up-front expenses related to disaster response and recovery for Hurricane Helene. Given the devastation in Florida, municipal budget shortfalls could further exacerbate the challenges our communities are facing. Delivering outstanding FEMA reimbursements for costs associated with past storms will help provide the budget flexibilities needed for a robust response to Helene. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. 

Sincerely, 

Senator Scott encourages any Floridians in need of assistance with a federal agency, including FEMA and the SBA, or any other federal issue while recovering from Hurricane Helene to contact his office at www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/casework. Find additional resources and information on Hurricane Helene response and recovery at  www.rickscott.senate.gov/hurricane-season-resources or from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at floridadisaster.org or @FLSERT.

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