Florida Lawmakers Request Biden Declare Emergency in Anticipation of Major Hurricane

Tropical Storm Nine (Helene) is expected to evolve into a major hurricane and make landfall in Florida’s panhandle on Thursday afternoon. 

Florida lawmakers are supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ request for President Joe Biden to make a pre-landfall emergency declaration, which would dispatch federal resources to Florida for hurricane response. 

US Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) sent a letter to President Biden urging him to make the requested emergency declaration. 

“We write in support of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration for 41 of Florida’s counties due to Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine (Helene), which is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane and impact Florida in the coming days,” reads the letter. 

Senators Rubio and Scott have been urging Floridians to make a Hurricane preparedness plan in anticipation of Helene's landfall. 

Preparedness plans include evacuation planning and purchasing and storing essential food items, water, and other basic necessities.

Scott urged Floridians to “get prepared now” as Helene could have destructive impacts across Florida’s gulf coast. 

According to NOAA, Helene could reach wind speeds of over 100 miles per hour when it lands in Florida, making it a category 2 hurricane upon arrival. 

The Senators cited several of the hurricane’s potential devastating consequences when requesting Biden execute the pre-landfall emergency declaration. 

“In addition to strong winds and heavy rain, this approaching storm is expected to bring severe storm surge, flooding, hazardous seas, and the potential for isolated tornadic activity across Florida,” warned the Senators. “Ensuring that the state has access to the federal resources it needs is imperative to protecting Floridians, property, and our communities.”