DeSantis Announces FEMA Disaster Declaration

With the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting Floridians, Hurricane season only exacerbated the lives of Floridians and businesses. In turn, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) announced today the approval of a major disaster declaration for Hurricane Sally from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Included in the declaration is public assistance for all categories in Escambia County along with public assistance Category B (emergency protective measures) for the following counties – Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington.

In a statement, Governor DeSantis explained that “this declaration adds all categories of public assistance for Escambia County, providing critical federal support for the long-term rebuilding. Efforts of this area following the severe damage and flooding that Sally. Left in its wake,” adding that “Northwest Floridians are resilient, and we will continue to work with our local and federal partners to ensure a full recovery from Hurricane Sally.”

The declaration comes on the heels of Governor DeSantis activating the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. The move is aimed to support small businesses that have been impacted by Hurricane Sally.

Moreover, the FDEM is continuing to conduct damage assessments in the counties that did not receive all categories of public assistance.  As well, the Division is conducting. Assessments at businesses and individual residences, and it has signaled that it will continue to work with FEMA to apply Individual Assistance to those that should need it.