As Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, soon to be Hurricane Helene, approaches Florida, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) have called on President Joe Biden to immediately approve a pre-landfall emergency declaration for 41 Florida counties.
The storm is expected to make landfall later this week as a major hurricane, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, severe storm surge, flooding, and hazardous seas, with the possibility of tornadic activity.
Read: AccuWeather Experts Urge Florida, U.S. Gulf Coast To Prepare For ‘Major Hurricane’
In their letter to President Biden, the senators stressed the importance of federal resources in safeguarding Floridians and mitigating damage to property and communities. They urged swift approval of Governor Ron DeSantis’s request for the emergency declaration.
“Ensuring that the state has access to the federal resources it needs is imperative to protecting Floridians, property, and our communities,” the senators wrote.
The storm is expected to hit Florida’s Gulf coast by Thursday afternoon, exacerbating vulnerabilities in regions still recovering from past storms like Hurricane Debby.
Read: Florida Braces For Hurricane Helene, DeSantis Declares State Of Emergency
The pre-landfall emergency declaration would ensure rapid federal assistance as Florida braces for Hurricane Helene.
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