Duval Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio have written a letter to President Biden supporting Florida's request for a Major Disaster Declaration following the tornadoes and severe weather that struck the state on May 10, 2024. The severe weather impacted ten counties in Florida.

Earlier this month, Senator Scott joined Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil and local law enforcement to survey the damage in Leon County and ensure that affected communities had the necessary resources for recovery.

The letter addressed to President Biden reads:

"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,

Rick Scott

Marco Rubio"