Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
Gov. Rick Scott is asking for a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration for two Southwest Florida counties.
Scott on Tuesday sent letters to the U.S. Small Business Administration seeking a physical disaster declaration for Lee and Sarasota counties. That declaration would make affected households and businesses in the community eligible for SBA disaster zones.
In Lee County, the request for a disaster declaration comes after an EF-2 tornado swept through parts of Cape Coral on Jan. 9. The tornado, Scott said in his letter, “caused extension damage to both residential and commercial properties.”
Scott said an assessment of damages indicated at least one business and 25 homes “suffered major damage or were destroyed.”
The request for a disaster declaration in Sarasota County comes after an EF-2 tornado swept through the community between Jan. 15 and Jan. 17. Damage assessments indicated at least two businesses and 24 homes “suffered major damage or were destroyed.”
Scott said in his requests that the state “is not seeking a major disaster declaration from the Florida Emergency Management Agency” for the weather events.
