Duval Times

Senator Rick Scott visited Punta Gorda in Charlotte County today to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene and receive a briefing from local officials. Congressman Greg Steube, Sheriff Bill Prummell, and Charlotte County Emergency Management Director Patrick Fuller were among those who provided updates on response and recovery efforts.

Senator Scott has been actively communicating with federal officials, local leaders, law enforcement, and emergency management teams across the state to ensure that communities affected by Hurricane Helene have the necessary resources for recovery. He urged residents needing assistance from federal agencies such as FEMA or the Small Business Administration (SBA) to contact his office.

In a letter sent today to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Senator Scott requested close coordination between FEMA and the Florida Division of Emergency Management on housing recovery. Many Floridians remain without power, and some evacuees have returned to find their homes uninhabitable or destroyed.

"Charlotte County, like so many communities along our Gulf Coast, experienced devastating storm surge and is still assessing and cleaning up the damage caused by Hurricane Helene," said Senator Scott. "Today, in my conversations with Congressman Greg Steube, Sheriff Bill Prummell and other local leaders, I reiterated that we will be here every step of the way."

He added that he is working with both local and federal partners to coordinate resources for those in need: "I’m also working every day with local, state, and federal partners like FEMA and the SBA to coordinate resources and direct assistance to those in need."

Senator Scott expressed gratitude for the efforts of law enforcement officers, National Guard members, emergency management officials, and first responders: "I’m also grateful for the law enforcement, National Guard, emergency management officials and first responders for their work here on the ground."

He encouraged Floridians facing loss due to Hurricane Helene to continue following local authorities' directions while recovery efforts are underway: "Please make sure to continue to follow the direction of local authorities... If you or someone you know needs assistance with a federal agency... contact us HERE."

Before Hurricane Helene made landfall, Senator Scott was in regular communication with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) for updates. He received briefings from officials in Bay, Franklin, Taylor, Levy Counties ahead of time. Since then he has visited Pasco Pinellas Hernando Levy Manatee Lee Sarasota counties receiving briefings from sheriffs & emergency management officials.

On Saturday night President Joe Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Florida following a request from Senators Scott & Marco Rubio after they sent a letter urging immediate approval. This declaration follows last week's pre-landfall emergency declaration approval.

Senator Scott advises any Floridians needing help with federal issues during their recovery from Hurricane Helene to reach out via www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/casework Additional resources can be found at www.rickscott.senate.gov/hurricane-season-resources or through Florida Division of Emergency Management at floridadisaster.org @FLSERT

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