WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio wrote a letter to President Biden in support of the State of Florida’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration in response to the May 10, 2024 tornadoes and severe weather that impacted 10 Florida counties.

Earlier this month, following the tornadoes in Leon County, Senator Scott joined Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil and local law enforcement to survey damage and ensure impacted communities had the resources needed to recover. Read more HERE.

Read the full text HERE or below.

Dear Mr. President:

We write in support of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ request for a Major Disaster Declaration due to severe weather, including tornadoes, the state experienced on May 10, 2024. 

Tornadoes, estimated to be multiple EF-2 that touched down, as well as straight-line winds, have left Floridians in ten counties with severe damage.  Preliminary assessments indicate hundreds of homes are damaged or destroyed.  Based on those assessments, Governor DeSantis has requested a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Florida, and specifically requested Public Assistance for Baker, Gadsden, Hamilton, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwanee, Taylor, and Wakulla counties along with Hazard Mitigation statewide.  The Governor has also requested Individual Assistance for Leon County, which experienced 115 miles per hour winds and the resulting damage.  Leon County estimates 500 power poles to be broken, 91 damaged transformers, and one substation offline.  Unfortunately, the state has confirmed two lives were lost as a result of the May 10, 2024 tornadoes.

In light of the extraordinary scope of the destruction and the extent of outstanding clean-up and recovery efforts, federal assistance is needed to ensure Floridians fully recover.  As such, we urge you to approve the State of Florida’s request, subject to all applicable laws and regulations, which will provide the assistance necessary to ensure the safety of our state.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

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