Lakeland, FL — Today, Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) joined Reps. Buchanan, Castor and the entire Florida delegation to urge President Biden to immediately approve Gov. DeSantis’s request to expedite Major Disaster Declaration Hurricane Milton.
“Hurricane Milton was a massive storm, causing severe damage as it made its way across Florida, leaving many in urgent need of disaster assistance,” Congressman Franklin said. “Even before Milton made landfall, parts of my district suffered disastrous impacts from multiple tornadoes. Now, two days after Milton’s landfall, hundreds of thousands remain without power. Florida needs the full support of the federal government to get back on our feet.”
“Just weeks after Hurricane Helene barreled across Florida and up the East Coast, Hurricane Milton ripped through my district and much of the state, claiming at least 16 lives and causing still untold damage to peoples’ homes, businesses and property,” said Congressman Vern Buchanan. “In order to help our constituents and our communities recover and rebuild, we require the full support of the federal government. A Major Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Milton will do just that and unlock critical resources and federal funding for our state, residents and local communities.”
In the letter, Congressman Franklin and colleagues argue the back-to-back major hurricanes, which made landfall within two weeks, have decimated Florida communities. Making landfall as a strong category 3 hurricane, Milton caused widespread storm surge, flooding and wind damage. As outer bands came ashore, dozens of tornadoes destroyed homes, businesses and farms. Dozens are dead in the wake of these storms and the death count continues to increase. To recover and rebuild, Floridians will require the full support of the federal government.
A Major Disaster Declaration will unlock critical federal resources, including access to FEMA’s individual assistance, public assistance, and hazard mitigation assistance programs.
Read the full text of the letter here.
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