Governor Scott Requests Major Disaster Declaration for Flooding

BRADENTON – On Monday, Florida Governor Rick Scott requested federal assistance for communities within the state, in order to assist in recovery from the recent severe weather and flooding. The governor requested a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance for Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.

From April 28 through May 2, a severe weather system brought torrential rains to the Northern Florida Gulf Coast. Governor Scott signed Executive Order 14-144, declaring a State of Emergency for 26 Florida Counties on April 30. Two Florida rivers, the Santa Fe and Choctawhatchee, reached major flood stage, while three additional rivers reached moderate flood stage and 14 reached minor flood stage.

“After a disaster, our goal is to work as quickly as possible to help communities recover and rebuild,” said State Coordinating Officer Bryan W. Koon. “While no entity can fully erase the impacts of this disaster, federal assistance will go a long way to help those communities return to a sense of normalcy."

If a declaration is received, then Individual Assistance will be available to individuals in those qualifying counties. Governor Scott’s initial request is based on Preliminary Damage Assessments, and may be amended to include additional counties as Preliminary Damage Assessments are finalized.

State officials, in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local county emergency management agencies, will continue to conduct damage assessments as additional counties complete their initial damage assessments. Visit www.FloridaDisaster.org/recovery for details about the damage assessment process and types of assistance that may be available.

Preliminary Damage Assessments are initiated by county emergency management agencies. Individuals who have experienced disaster-related damage to homes or businesses should call their local county Emergency Management Office to receive disaster-related information and to document their damages with officials.