Watch Senator Rick Scott’s remarks HERE.

HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. – Today, Senator Rick Scott visited the Hernando County Emergency Operations Center to receive a briefing on Hurricane Helene response and recovery efforts from Sheriff Al Nienhuis, local law enforcement leaders and emergency management officials. Senator Scott has been in constant contact with local leaders, law enforcement and emergency management officials in communities throughout the state that are impacted by Hurricane Helene to ensure they have the needed resources as they respond to the storm and help Floridians recover.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I want to thank Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis, the emergency management officials, law enforcement and first responders here in Hernando County for working through the night to respond to Hurricane Helene. There were many people that needed help last night, and many rescues that had to be done… our first responders and emergency management professionals are heroes and we appreciate them risking their lives to help fellow Floridians. Hurricane Helene brought intense rain and storm surge into the region, and we are seeing the worst damage here in recent history. Although the storm has passed, I want to emphasize the importance of listening to law enforcement right now. Don’t go home until officials say it’s safe to do so. There are still many downed power lines and hazards, like standing water and debris, that can harm you—so stay vigilant. Your local leaders are on top of it as we respond and recover, and have already dispatched first responders to start getting everyone the help they need. I am here to emphasize to Floridians that I'm fighting like hell as their partner at the federal level to make sure Florida gets resources and will continue working with FEMA on Hurricane Helene response and recovery efforts. If there is one thing I know, it is that Floridians are resilient and we will get through this together.”

MORE…

This week, Senator Scott has had daily calls with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and been in contact with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 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. See more HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. Earlier today, Senator Scott was in Pasco County and Pinellas County to receive a briefing on the area’s recovery and response. Read 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 https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/hurricane-season-resources for information and resources on Hurricane Helene response and recovery. See the latest on Hurricane 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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