WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, following Hurricane Helene causing catastrophic damage along Florida's Gulf Coast after making landfall as a Category 4 storm in the Big Bend, Senator Rick Scott and Senator Marco Rubio sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging approval of the State of Florida’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration due to the Category 4 hurricane-force winds and storm surge that impacted much of Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Read the full letter HERE or below.

September 28, 2024

Dear Mr. President:

We write in support of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration due to Hurricane Helene, which caused catastrophic damage to much of Florida’s Gulf Coast as it made landfall along Florida’s Big Bend coastline as a Category 4 hurricane on Thursday evening. Hurricane Helene’s devastating wind speeds, extreme storm surge, and heavy rainfall severely impacted substantial portions of the state, with significant flooding, massive power outages, and widespread damage that will take a strong partnership to recover and rebuild.

Unfortunately, Helene’s effects will continue to impact the state for some time, and the full extent of damage will not be known for several days as response and recovery efforts get underway. However, approving this declaration request will allow Floridians to be better prepared for the recovery phase. As such, we urge you to approve the State of Florida’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration in its entirety.

Floridians are incredibly resilient, and with the cooperation from all levels of government, we will rebuild stronger than ever. Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

MORE…

This week, Senator Scott has had daily calls with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) prior to Helene’s landfall and been in contact with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the days after to receive the latest updates on Hurricane Helene. Prior to Helene's landfall, Senator Scott received briefings from law enforcement and emergency management officials in Bay County, Franklin County, Taylor County and Levy County and urged Floridian to head warnings, evacuate and prepare. See more HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. Senator Scott was in Pasco, Pinellas and Hernando Counties yesterday to receive a briefing from the sheriff and emergency management officials in each county on local response and recovery efforts. Read more HERE, HERE, and HERE. Today, Senator Scott visited Cedar Key in Levy County with Sheriff Bobby McCallum and Cedar Key Mayor Sue Colson. Following that stop, Senator Scott visited Manatee County with Sheriff Rick Wells, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth and Holmes Beach Police Chief William Tokajer. See more HERE and HERE.

On Monday, 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 receipt of this letter, President Biden approved an emergency declaration for the State of Florida on Tuesday afternoon.

Senator Scott encourages all Floridians to visit his website at www.rickscott.senate.gov/hurricane-season-resources for information and resources on Hurricane Helene response and recovery or from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at floridadisaster.org or @FLSERT.

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