WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott and Senator Marco Rubio sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging his immediate approval of the State of Florida’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration for 51 Florida counties as Hurricane Milton is forecast to become a major hurricane and bring severe weather and flooding to communities throughout Florida.  

Earlier today, Senator Rick Scott was joined by Attorney General Ashley Moody, Commissioner of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Wilton Simpson, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Congresswoman Laurel Lee and Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna at the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center in Tampa to receive a briefing from local law enforcement leaders and emergency management officials regarding preparation efforts for Hurricane Milton. Additionally this morning, Senator Scott received a briefing from National Hurricane Center (NHC) Director Dr. Michael Brennan. Read more HERE.

Read the full letter HERE or below.

Dear Mr. President:

            We write in support of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration in preparation for Hurricane Milton, which is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane and impact Florida in the coming days.

            Currently, Milton is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane on Florida’s Gulf coast.  Milton’s anticipated strong winds, torrential rains, and devastating storm surge are likely to wreak havoc across much of Florida. Although our state is familiar with the dangers posed by hurricanes, this major hurricane approaches toward Florida’s Gulf coast that recently endured severe impacts from major Hurricane Helene, rendering them particularly vulnerable to catastrophic effects from this approaching storm.

            Ensuring that the state has access to the federal resources it needs is imperative to protecting Floridians, property, and our communities.  As such, we request that you promptly approve Governor DeSantis’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration.

            Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

Senator Scott encourages all Floridians to visit his website at www.rickscott.senate.gov/hurricane-preparedness to get prepared today. See the latest on Hurricane Milton from the National Hurricane Center at nhc.noaa.gov or @NHC_Atlantic on X, formerly known as Twitter, and from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at floridadisaster.org or @FLSERT. Additionally, Senator Scott encourages those recovering from Hurricane Helene and are in need of assistance with a federal agency, including FEMA and the SBA, or any other federal issue to contact his office at www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/casework.

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