Hurricane Debby caused significant destruction across Florida, prompting Governor Ron DeSantis to request a Major Disaster Declaration due to the powerful winds and heavy rains that battered much of the state’s west coast and inland areas.
In support of this request, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, along with U.S. Representatives Kat Cammack, Greg Steube, and Vern Buchanan, sent a letter to President Joe Biden Saturday, urging the swift approval of the declaration to aid in the recovery efforts.
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The letter highlights the severe impact of Hurricane Debby, including widespread flooding, power outages, and extensive damage.
“We write in support of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration due to Hurricane Debby, which brought hurricane force winds and torrential rains to much of Florida’s west coast through inland Florida. Hurricane Debby’s storm surge and heavy rainfall severely impacted substantial portions of the state, with significant flooding, massive power outages, and widespread damage that will take a strong partnership to recover and rebuild.
“Unfortunately, this hurricane will continue to impact the state for some time, and the full extent of flooding will not be known for a couple of weeks as Debby continues to produce rain to the north. These rains will deluge the estuaries and watersheds that feed into Florida’s rivers. Promptly approving this declaration request will allow Floridians to be better prepared for the recovery phase. As such, we urge you to approve the State of Florida’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration.
“Floridians are incredibly resilient, and with the cooperation from all levels of government, we will rebuild stronger than ever. Thank you for your attention to this important matter,” the letter concluded.
The full extent of the flooding may not be known for weeks as the storm continues to bring rain to northern areas, further affecting Florida’s estuaries and watersheds.
The letter emphasizes the importance of prompt federal assistance to help Floridians prepare for the recovery phase, stressing the resilience of the state’s residents and the need for cooperation at all levels of government to rebuild stronger than before.
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