Watch Senator Scott’s Remarks HERE

ASTOR, Fla. – Today, Senator Rick Scott was joined by Congressman Michael Waltz in Volusia and Lake Counties to receive a briefing from both Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood and Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell on the response to Hurricane Milton and ongoing high-water rescue missions. During the briefing, the senator was given an aerial and boat tour throughout both counties to survey damage. 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. Senator Scott is urging those in need of assistance with a federal agency, like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), or any other federal issue while recovering from Hurricane Milton, to contact his office HERE.

On Thursday, Senator Scott spoke with President Joe Biden about the response to and recovery from Hurricane Milton, and reiterated that he is focused on making sure FEMA, SBA, HUD and USDA are fully funded for disaster relief. Senator Scott also spoke with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell and Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman on Thursday. Earlier today, Senator Scott was in Pinellas, and this week he has visited Sarasota, Hillsborough, Lee and Charlotte counties to survey damage and receive briefings from local officials.

Yesterday, 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).

Senator Rick Scott said, “Although Hurricane Milton made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida, this storm was massive and impacted nearly the entire state of Florida. The damage from flooding throughout Lake and Volusia counties is devastating—especially here in Astor where Congressman Waltz, Sheriffs Chitwood and Grinnell, and I saw firsthand the devastating and unprecedented impact of Milton. Not only did storm surge cause significant issues on the coast, but now first responders are conducting non-stop rescue missions as rising rivers cause inland flooding in communities like Astor. Floridians are so resilient, and working together with governments at the local, state and federal level, as well as our non-profit partners, we will recover stronger. I spoke to President Biden on Thursday about the response and recovery and what’s needed to make sure our local and state government has the support they need. I told the president that I am completely focused on making sure that FEMA, SBA, HUD and USDA are fully funded for disaster recovery and asked him to expedite damage assessments so we can start working on this immediately. I stressed the same thing during my calls on Thursday with FEMA Administrator Criswell and SBA Administrator Guzman. The federal government needs to have boots on the ground until Florida is fully recovered. Also, I’ve demanded that Majority Leader Chuck Schumer immediately reconvene the Senate once damage assessments are done so we can fully fund the disaster response efforts of these agencies and others responding to this disaster with a clean disaster supplemental appropriations bill and common sense disaster relief legislation like my Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act.

"As lifesaving work continues in Volusia and Lake counties and across our state, the number one thing I want to reiterate today is that everyone must stay vigilant and stay safe. 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. I have nine offices around the state, so please, if you need any help with a federal agency, go to www.rickscott.senate.gov.”

MORE…

Ahead of Milton’s landfall, Senator Scott has 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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