WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott again spoke with the Director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Dr. Michael Brennan, to receive a second briefing on Tropical Storm Helene which is forecast to strengthen to a major hurricane and pose a significant risk to the Florida Panhandle and Gulf Coast. The storm is expected to make landfall Thursday, bringing an increased risk of life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds along the coastline. This morning, the NHC released their watches and warnings for all impacted locations; read the latest update HERE.

Last night, Senator 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 potentially impacted Florida counties. Following Senator Scott’s call with the NHC this morning, he released the following statement.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I just got off the phone with National Hurricane Center Director Dr. Michael Brennan again to follow up on our briefing from yesterday on Tropical Storm Helene. This storm is gaining intensity and building strength as it travels into the Gulf of Mexico. The NHC expects storm surge in the Big Bend to be between 10 and 15 feet. THAT WILL KILL YOU. In the Tampa Bay area, we could see deadly surge up to eight feet. I want to be very clear: every Floridian must take it seriously. If told to evacuate, do not wait—get out now! First responders cannot help you once the storm hits. Just because you are not in the direct path, or even the cone of this storm right now, does not mean you will be safe from impacts. We have seen devastating, major storms, like Hurricanes Michael and Idalia, take very similar paths to what Tropical Storm Helene is forecast to follow. In just days, these hurricanes intensified from tropical storms to major hurricanes that devastated the Panhandle and Big Bend. Do not wait to get prepared, and do not underestimate this storm. My team and I are monitoring this storm closely, and everyone on the Gulf Coast should prepare for a major hurricane with flooding, tornadoes, storm surge and destructive wave activity. Do not take the risk, get ready now and go to Ready.gov/plan to make a plan to keep you and your loved ones safe. As I always say: we can rebuild a house, but we cannot rebuild a life. Don’t wait until this storm hits…make a plan today.”

Senator Scott encourages all Floridians to visit his website at www.rickscott.senate.gov/hurricane-preparedness to get prepared today. See the latest on Tropical Storm Helene 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.

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