Duval Times

Today, Senator Rick Scott visited the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in Eastpoint, Florida, to receive briefings from local law enforcement and emergency management officials as Hurricane Helene approaches. He was accompanied by Franklin County Sheriff AJ Smith, Franklin County Commissioner Ricky Jones, and Franklin County Commissioner Cheryl Sanders. Senator Scott is touring Florida to urge families to prepare for the storm, evacuate if necessary, and stay safe.

This week, Senator Scott has been in daily communication with National Hurricane Center (NHC) Director Dr. Mike Brennan for updates on Hurricane Helene. Earlier today, he also received a briefing from Bay County.

On Monday, Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging immediate approval of Florida’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration for potentially impacted counties. Following this request, President Biden approved the emergency declaration on Tuesday afternoon.

Senator Rick Scott stated: “I just left Franklin County, and I have one message: listen to law enforcement and evacuate. We are expecting up to 12 feet of deadly storm surge here and up to 20 feet of storm surge in the Big Bend. Take this seriously. If law enforcement is advising you to get out, listen to them."

He added: "The team here in Franklin County is doing everything they can to keep families safe, but every Floridian needs to do their part. We are expecting a major hurricane to make landfall tomorrow that will bring severe flooding, so make a plan now. Even if you’re not currently in the cone, stay alert."

Senator Scott emphasized preparedness by drawing parallels with past hurricanes: "We have seen devastating storms like Hurricanes Michael and Idalia take similar paths to what Helene is forecasted to follow. In just days, these hurricanes intensified from tropical storms to major hurricanes that devastated the Panhandle and Big Bend."

He assured that he remains in constant contact with local officials and law enforcement: "I’ve been talking to NHC Director Dr. Michael Brennan and have remained in constant contact with local officials and law enforcementto make sure they have all the resources they need."

Senator Scott urged Floridians along the Gulf Coast to stock up on supplies and stay alert: "Families all along our Gulf Coast have to take this seriously... Continue monitoring news and local officials for any evacuation instructions or warnings."

He concluded by highlighting Florida's resilience due to preparedness: "Florida is resilient because we prepare for storms... We can always rebuild a home, but we can’t rebuild a life.”

Senator Scott encourages all Floridians to visit his website at www.rickscott.senate.gov/hurricane-preparedness for more information on hurricane preparedness.

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