Sens. Rick Scott, Marco Rubio & Florida Delegation Support Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for Milton

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Marco Rubio, Representative Vern Buchanan and all members of the Florida delegation to send a bipartisan, bicameral letter to President Joe Biden urging him to promptly approve the State of Florida's Expedited Major Disaster Declaration request following Hurricane Milton's catastrophic landfall and support Florida's response and recovery efforts.<_o3a_p>

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Additionally, Senator Scott has been traveling to impacted parts of Florida, including Sarasota, Hillsborough, Lee and Charlotte counties, to survey damage and receive briefings from local officials.<_o3a_p>

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The memberswrote, "Given the severity of the storm, as evidenced by the at least 16 reported deaths and still untold damages wrought by Hurricane Milton on peoples' homes, businesses and livelihoods, we urge your immediate consideration of a Major Disaster Declaration…. The full support of the federal government is critical in helping save lives and getting our communities and constituents back on their feet."<_o3a_p>

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Read the full letter HEREor below.<_o3a_p>

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Dear President Biden,<_o3a_p>

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We write in support of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Florida as a result of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall near Siesta Key on October 9th as a powerful Category 3 hurricane.<_o3a_p>

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As you are undoubtedly aware, Florida has experienced three hurricanes in as many months - two of which have been major hurricanes - causing significant damage across much of the state. In fact, Hurricane Milton made landfall on parts of Florida's coastline that had already suffered from unprecedented storm surge from Hurricane Helene and claimed the lives of 25 Floridians just two weeks ago. Furthermore, dozens of tornadoes were reported on the east and west coasts of the state from the outer bands of Hurricane Milton, destroying an estimated 150 homes and leading to numerous fatalities.<_o3a_p>

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Given the severity of the storm, as evidenced by the at least 16 reported deaths and still untold damages wrought by Hurricane Milton on peoples' homes, businesses and livelihoods, we urge your immediate consideration of a Major Disaster Declaration, which would provide essential federal resources to help our state respond and recover to the catastrophic damages caused by this devastating storm. The full support of the federal government is critical in helping save lives and getting our communities and constituents back on their feet.<_o3a_p>

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We thank you for your consideration of Governor DeSantis' request and look forward to your expeditious response to this critically important issue.<_o3a_p>

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Sincerely,<_o3a_p>

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MORE… <_o3a_p>

Ahead of Milton'slandfall, Senator Scott has had daily calls with the NHC to receive the latest updates on HurricaneMilton and traveled along Florida's Gulf Coast to receive briefings from sheriffs, local law enforcement leaders and emergency management officials in Hillsborough County, Sarasota Countyand Lee County, urging familiesto stay safe and prepared. Senator Scott has been in constant contact with state leaders, mayors, sheriffsandpolice chiefs, emergency management officials and energy companiesin communities throughout the state that were expecting impacts from Hurricane Milton to ensure they have the needed resources to respond to the storm. Senator Scott has also spoken and written to federal officials, including FEMA Region 4 Administrator Robert Samaanand U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigiegto ensure Florida has much-needed access to federal resources. <_o3a_p>

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This week, Senators Scott and Marco Rubio have written letters to President Joe Biden in support of the State of Florida'sand the Seminole Tribe of Florida'srequests for pre-landfall emergency declarations ahead of Hurricane Milton. Both requests were approved by President Biden following his receipt of Senators Scott and Rubio's letters. Senators Scott and Rubio also sent a letterto President Biden urging the direction of federal agencies to expedite plans to respond to potential obstructions at the Port of Tampa Bay, which receives more than 40 percent of Florida's petroleum products. In their letter, the senators emphasized that this action by the federal government is crucial to expedite all requested measures to protect Florida's economy and ensure a swift recovery. <_o3a_p>

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Senator Scott encourages all Floridians to visit his website at www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/caseworkfor information or help with federal agencies like FEMA and the SBA, following Hurricanes Milton and Helene. For more on response efforts from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at floridadisaster.orgor @FLSERT. <_o3a_p>

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