Duval Times

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Senator Rick Scott joined Congressman Byron Donalds and State Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka for a briefing in Lee County on hurricane preparedness efforts. They were informed by Sheriff Carmine Marceno, Lee County Public Safety Director Ben Abes, local law enforcement leaders, and emergency management officials about preparations for Hurricane Milton. The senator urged Floridians to prepare for the storm's landfall expected tomorrow along Florida's Gulf Coast.

Senator Rick Scott stated: “I have the same message for families in Lee County that I have given to people all across our Gulf Coast: if local officials ask you to evacuate, LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. You need to act tonight. Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area as a MAJOR and DEADLY storm bringing intense and catastrophic storm surge to Lee County. I was just briefed on the storm and earlier today spoke with NHC Director Dr. Michael Brennan. This area will see intense flooding, torrential rain, and power outages across large parts of the state. The NHC expects storm surge up to 10 feet in Lee County and 15 feet or more in Tampa and Sarasota, so evacuate TODAY if told to do so. If sheltering in place, prepare for no power and get seven days of food, water, medicine, and other essentials TODAY. Tomorrow is too late. Everyone along Florida’s Gulf Coast must be ready. Now is the time to prepare. As I always say: we can rebuild a house; we cannot rebuild a life. Take this storm seriously, make a plan, and get prepared today.”

In addition, Senator Rick Scott teamed up with Senator Marco Rubio to send a letter to President Joe Biden urging immediate approval of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s request for an emergency declaration before landfall. The senators emphasized providing the Seminole Tribe access to necessary federal resources for emergency response and recovery preparations on tribal lands.

As Hurricane Milton approaches potentially disrupting operations at Tampa Bay port—handling over 40 percent of Florida’s petroleum products—Senators Scott and Rubio urged President Biden to expedite federal agency plans for response.

President Joe Biden approved Florida's pre-landfall emergency declaration request yesterday following appeals from Senators Scott and Rubio.

On Sunday, Senator Scott attended a briefing at Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center with Attorney General Ashley Moody, Commissioner Wilton Simpson, CFO Jimmy Patronis, Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Congresswoman Laurel Lee, and Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna.

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

For updates on Hurricane Milton from the National Hurricane Center visit nhc.noaa.gov or @NHC_Atlantic on X (formerly Twitter), or check out Florida Division of Emergency Management at floridadisaster.org or @FLSERT.

He also advises those recovering from Hurricane Helene needing assistance from federal agencies like FEMA or SBA to contact his office via www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/casework.