A.G. Gancarski
The federal government will pitch in as Florida digs out from what could be historic destruction in a matter of days. And the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has the money to handle it.
“I just approved an emergency declaration from the State of Florida and ordered federal assistance to supplement response efforts that may arise due to emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Milton,” President Joe Biden posted on X Monday. “We expect this storm to again make landfall in western Florida and are working quickly to preposition federal response personnel and assets.”
The White House account added that there’s money for the road ahead.
“FEMA has sufficient funding to support the response to Hurricane Milton and continued response to Hurricane Helene — including funding to support first responders and provide immediate assistance to disaster survivors. The Administration has been in touch with the State of Florida and localities along the likely path of impact to ensure needs are met in advance of the storm, and the federal government is fully prepared to support affected communities wherever and whenever needed.”
Though there was little surprise that the federal government ultimately would come through, drama surrounding a seemingly slow-walked request from the state percolated Thursday, with at least one Senate staffer expressing concern over how long it was taking Gov. Ron DeSantis to formulate the request.
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott wrote Biden late Sunday night once the request was finalized to ensure “that the state has access to the federal resources it needs is imperative to protecting Floridians, property, and our communities” and urge Biden to fulfill “DeSantis’ request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration.”
The Senators waited until the request was formalized to send the letter.
The declaration facilitates help with emergency protective measures and federal aid for initial response and recovery efforts via FEMA.
During a press conference Monday afternoon, DeSantis acknowledged the partially fulfilled request, saying he expected the full request to be approved soon.
11 comments
Bobblehead Kammy
October 7, 2024 at 1:42 pm
Caught Joe just before his midday nap.🤣
A Day without MAGA
October 7, 2024 at 2:02 pm
Did I say a Cat5 was headed to Florida,playing politics,when you should be evacuating
A day without Libturds
October 7, 2024 at 1:52 pm
It took that long to wake up sleepy Joe?
Biden is a national embarrassment.
MHDuuuval
October 8, 2024 at 10:48 pm
Trump is an international disaster. Despite all the MAGA tomfoolery in Congress, Trump and not Biden has repeatedly shown he would sell us out to the highest bidder.
PeterH
October 7, 2024 at 1:52 pm
Hurricane wind trajectory is counterclockwise and will intensify water surge into Tampa Bay. Evacuation toward Key West might be a better strategy!
THE "SAGE E"
October 7, 2024 at 2:10 pm
Good afternoon America,
ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Its not NEWS until THE “SAGE E” Weighs In.
Most have no clue why there was no FEMA money for those Americans in Appalachia but THE HARRIS ADMINISTRATION has pleanty of money for Tampa/St. Petersburg.
THE “SAGE E” PREACHES ON:
The Americans im Appalachia are Republicans while the Americans in Tampa/St. Pete are Democrats.
Thank you America,
THE “SAGE E”
George
October 7, 2024 at 2:17 pm
You’re ignorant. Grow up.
jean solomon
October 8, 2024 at 9:58 am
ibet you are first in line to get whatever THE FEDS are sending…you do know your governor has stalled on the
request’ as long as he could..the FEDS cannot act until the formal rquest is made by the governor; it took RICK SCOtT and RUBIO t get RON moving.
Michael K
October 7, 2024 at 4:20 pm
When Trump was president, he delayed federal assistance for wildfires victims until he was told how many Republicans were affected – specifically, the number of Trump voters.
Glad we have. an American POTUS who wasted no time to approve the formal request submitted last night.
MHDuuuval
October 7, 2024 at 8:19 pm
ImPeachy sad he can no longer score on Joe Biden. Now DJT is THE old fella, too insecure to debate KH. DJT is fast on his way to becoming the Boy who cried wolf.
jean solomon
October 8, 2024 at 10:04 am
whoever you are stop lying..me grand is a volunteer in the area…FEMA has been there since day one…its peoplelike you who are really hurting the folks who live there…go up there and bad mouth FEMA and see just how long you willl be left standging..thye will bundle you up on one of the mules and pack you down the mountain.
Comments are closed.