Duval Times

Senator Rick Scott has called on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to reconvene the Senate and vote on a supplemental aid package for Hurricane Helene once the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local and state officials determine the need for funds. Senator Scott has been in constant contact with federal officials, local leaders, sheriffs, and emergency management officials in communities affected by Hurricane Helene to ensure they have the necessary resources for response and recovery efforts.

Senator Scott stated: “Since Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, made landfall devastatingly in the Big Bend and caused massive destructive storm surges along hundreds of miles of Florida's Gulf Coast, I have been traveling to affected communities to assess damages and coordinate resources among local, state, and federal governments. What I have seen, from catastrophic damage in Cedar Key to massive destruction caused by storm surges in communities from Fort Myers Beach to Siesta Key, Anna Maria Island, and north into Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando counties is heartbreaking. The news reports about devastation in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and other communities impacted by Hurricane Helene are also devastating."

He added: "Floridians are resilient but responding to and recovering from this storm requires full and immediate support from all levels of government so families and businesses can return to normalcy. Based on my experience with previous hurricanes that FEMA’s and SBA’s damage assessments take time; today I urge Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to reconvene the U.S. Senate immediately upon completion of these assessments so we can pass the supplemental disaster funding bill along with other disaster relief bills such as my Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act needed to ensure full recovery for families in all affected communities.”

Scott has also communicated with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) for updates on Hurricane Helene. Before Helene made landfall, he received information from sheriffs and emergency management officials from Bay County, Franklin County, Taylor County, and Levy County urging Floridians to heed warnings, evacuate if necessary, and prepare adequately.

Since landfalling of Helene, Scott visited Pasco County, Pinellas County, Hernando County, Levy County Manatee County Lee County Sarasota County receiving briefings from sheriffs' offices on local response measures.

On Saturday night following a letter from Senators Rick Scott Marco Rubio President Joe Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration request for Florida which followed last week’s approval of an emergency declaration request ahead of the storm's arrival as requested by Senators Scott Rubio.

Scott encourages Floridians needing assistance with federal agencies like FEMA or SBA during their recovery process after Hurricane Helene to contact his office at www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/casework Additional resources information regarding hurricane response recovery can be found at www.rickscott.senate.gov/hurricane-season-resources or through Florida Division Emergency Management floridadisaster.org @FLSERT