Visits Manatee County EOC with Sheriff Rick Wells

ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. – Today, Senator Rick Scott joined President Joe Biden, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm in St. Pete Beach to receive a briefing on the response to Hurricane Milton and ongoing rescue and recovery missions. Senator Scott has been in constant contact with federal officials, local leaders, law enforcement and emergency management officials in communities throughout the state that are impacted by Hurricane Milton to ensure they have the needed resources as they respond to the storm and help Floridians recover. As families in the state struggle to find gas, the Senator stands ready to assist the state with getting gas into affected communities.

Senator Scott is urging those in need of assistance with a federal agency, like the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration (SBA), or any other federal issue while recovering from Hurricane Milton, to contact his office HERE. Earlier today, Senator Rick Scott was in Manatee County to receive a briefing from Sheriff Rick Wells and thank law enforcement at the Manatee County Emergency Operations Center. Earlier this week, Senator Scott was in St. Lucie, Volusia, Lake, Pinellas, Sarasota, Hillsborough, Lee and Charlotte counties to survey damage and receive briefings from local officials.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Today, I joined President Joe Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell on the ground in St. Pete Beach, which was completely destroyed by Hurricane Milton. Like I said following Hurricane Helene, while I appreciate the president and FEMA Administrator coming to Florida to see the devastation firsthand, Floridians are still hurting from storms years ago and the federal government needs to show up not just today, but every day. Not only did storm surge cause significant issues on the coast, but first responders are still conducting non-stop rescue missions as rising rivers cause inland flooding and tornadoes ripped apart entire communities. This storm, along with Hurricane Helene, have knocked so many communities down, but Floridians are resilient. Following Hurricane Helene, I told President Biden exactly what is needed to ensure Florida has every federal resource to fully recover from that storm and now Hurricane Milton, I reiterated that in our call last week and again today. Here’s what I stressed to the president: I’m calling on Schumer to bring the Senate back ASAP when our communities have assessed their needs, which I told the president must be expedited, to pass needed disaster funding for FEMA, SBA and the USDA and approve common sense relief like my Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act. The president told me he agreed with me on this last week. We must also ensure FEMA opens Disaster Recovery Centers close to the areas hit hardest, so those impacted have easy access to federal resources to recover. Finally, I again stressed to President Biden the importance of USDA immediately approving block grants for our farmers that have been struggling since Ian in 2022. I discussed the same things during my calls on Thursday with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. I’m going to continue fighting like hell to make sure this happens and aid is delivered to families in need.

"I’ve been visiting communities across the state as they continue lifesaving work, including Manatee County this morning and Pinellas County yesterday, and I want to remind Floridians that everyone must stay vigilant and stay safe. The storm has passed but the dangers are not over, and you can't recover if you lose your life by taking risks after this storm. Floridians are strong, we are resilient. We will recover and we will rebuild even stronger, and I will be working alongside you every step of the way. I have nine offices around the state, so please, if you need any help with a federal agency, go to www.rickscott.senate.gov.”

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Earlier this week, Senator Scott joined Senator Marco Rubio, Representative Vern Buchanan and all members of the Florida congressional delegation to send a bipartisan, bicameral letter to President Biden urging him to promptly approve the State of Florida’s Expedited Major Disaster Declaration request following Hurricane Milton’s catastrophic landfall and support Florida’s response and recovery efforts. Following their letter, President Biden approved the request. Individuals and households in 34 designated counties are eligible to apply to FEMA for financial and direct services, and can apply via DisasterAssistance.gov, the FEMA App or calling 800-621-FEMA (800-621-3362).

Ahead of Milton’s landfall, Senator Scott had daily calls with the NHC to receive the latest updates on Hurricane Milton and traveled along Florida’s Gulf Coast to receive briefings from sheriffs, local law enforcement leaders and emergency management officials in Hillsborough County, Sarasota County and Lee County, urging families to stay safe and prepared. Senator Scott has been in constant contact with state leaders, mayors, sheriffs and police chiefs, emergency management officials and energy companies in communities throughout the state that were expecting impacts from Hurricane Milton to ensure they have the needed resources to respond to the storm. Senator Scott has also spoken and written to federal officials, including FEMA Region 4 Administrator Robert Samaan and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to ensure Florida has much-needed access to federal resources.

This week, Senators Scott and Rubio have written letters to President Biden in support of the State of Florida’s and the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s requests for pre-landfall emergency declarations ahead of Hurricane Milton. Both requests were approved by President Biden following his receipt of Senators Scott and Rubio’s letters. Senators Scott and Rubio also sent a letter to President Biden urging the direction of federal agencies to expedite plans to respond to potential obstructions at the Port of Tampa Bay, which receives more than 40 percent of Florida’s petroleum products. In their letter, the senators emphasized that this action by the federal government is crucial to expedite all requested measures to protect Florida’s economy and ensure a swift recovery. 

Senator Scott encourages all Floridians to visit his website at www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/casework for information or help with federal agencies like FEMA and the SBA, following Hurricanes Milton and Helene. For more on response efforts from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at floridadisaster.org or @FLSERT.

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