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| Sen. Rick Scott Shares Hurricane Helene Resources |
Dear Fellow Floridian,
As Florida prepares for the response to and recovery from Hurricane Helene, my office is committed to making sure Floridians have access to the tools and federal resources necessary to respond and rebuild.
Hurricane Helene is forecast to be a monstrous storm that will impact much of our state and bring catastrophic damage to the Big Bend and Tampa Bay regions. With nine feet or more of storm surge expected along much of the Gulf Coast, and as much as 18 feet of storm surge forecast for the Big Bend, everyone needs to take this storm seriously and evacuate if asked to do so.
While I travel through the Panhandle and Big Bend today to meet with local law enforcement and emergency management officials, our nine offices around the state are here to help Floridians every step of the way. If you or someone you know needs help with a federal issue or agency, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
See more about the resources available to you and your family below or click HERE.
Sincerely,
Senator Rick Scott
United States Senator
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To be the first to find out about Senator Scott's actions and statements, follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on September 24th that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Florida to supplement response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Helene beginning September 23rd and continuing.
To check on the status of disaster assistance available to individuals and families, click HERE.
For FEMA disaster recovery updates following Hurricane Helene, check HERE.
Disaster Recovery Centers
Disaster Recovery Centers provide disaster survivors with information from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Disaster survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates on applications.
As Disaster Recovery Centers open post-landfall, you can find the location closest to you HERE.
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Internal Revenue Services
Find information on the most recent tax relief provisions for taxpayers affected by disaster situations in Florida HERE. See FAQs for disaster victims for information about the definition of an affected taxpayer.
To learn more about Internal Revenue Services (IRS) updates following Hurricane Helene, visit HERE.
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Florida Division of Emergency Management
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) has outlined all available resources for Floridians and will continue to update as resources become available.
Visit HERE for more information.
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Need Assistance?
- Call the Florida State Assistance Information Line for additional resources and updated information: 1-800-342-3557
- In case of an emergency, please hang up and dial 911
- Floridians in need of assistance with federal resources following the impacts of Hurricane Helene can contact Senator Scott’s office at: www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/casework
- If you are suspicious of fraud, please report it immediately at: FraudFreeFlorida.com
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After a Storm
- If you were advised to evacuate, do not return home until it is safe to do so.
- Be mindful of debris and down power lines.
- Do not drive or walk around outside if you do not have to.
- Use extreme caution when operating heavy machinery, generators, or while removing debris. Never use generators indoors and keep them away from windows, doors and vents.
- Stay off roads so that emergency workers are able to get through.
- Do not drive or walk through flood waters. Be aware of downed power lines, standing water and other hidden hazards.
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Hurricane Preparedness Resources Websites
- FEMA: Visit FEMA for up-to-date information, support, services and to apply for disaster assistance following a storm.
- SBA: Visit SBA to learn about low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from a major disaster.
- FloridaDisaster.org: Visit FloridaDisaster.org for resources and information on creating a personalized emergency plan for your family.
- National Hurricane Center: Visit NHC for the latest updates on tropical weather threats.
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Helpful Accounts on Twitter
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Senator Scott encourages all Floridians to visit his website at https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/hurricane-season-resources for federal resources. See the latest from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at floridadisaster.org or @FLSERT on Twitter.
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Sen. Rick Scott Receives Briefing on Hurricane Helene in Bay County & Urges Floridians to Get Prepared
Senator Rick Scott visited the Bay County Emergency Operations Center to receive briefings from local law enforcement and emergency management officials as Florida braces for the landfall of Hurricane Helene. Senator Scott was joined by Bay County Emergency Services Chief Matt Lindewirth, Florida State Senator Jay Trumbull, Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford and Bay County Commissioner Doug Moore. Ahead of Helene’s landfall, Senator Scott is traveling around Florida to urge families to make a plan ahead of the storm, evacuate if asked to do so, and stay safe. This week, Senator Scott has had daily calls with National Hurricane Center (NHC) Director Dr. Mike Brennan to receive the latest updates on Tropical Storm Helene.
On Monday, Senator Scott and Senator Marco Rubio sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging his immediate approval of the State of Florida’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration for potentially impacted Florida counties. Following receipt of this letter, President Biden approved an emergency declaration for the State of Florida on Tuesday afternoon.
Senator Rick Scott said, “We have a busy hurricane season underway and folks in the Panhandle, Big Bend, and Tampa Bay know all too well – you have to stay safe and take every storm seriously. The team here in Bay County is doing everything they can to keep families safe, but every Floridian needs to do their part. We are expecting a major hurricane to make landfall tomorrow, so make a plan now and evacuate now if asked to do so. Look at the anticipated storm surge. Near the Panhandle and in the Big Bend, the NHC is expecting up to 18 feet of surge. THAT RISING WATER WILL KILL YOU. Even if you’re not currently in the cone of Hurricane Helene, stay alert. We have seen devastating, major storms, like Hurricanes Michael and Idalia, take very similar paths to what Helene is forecast to follow. In just days, these hurricanes intensified from tropical storms to major hurricanes that devastated the Panhandle and Big Bend. I’ve been talking to NHC Director Dr. Michael Brennan and have remained in constant contact with local officials and law enforcement to make sure they have all the resources they need to prepare for and respond to this storm. Families all along our Gulf Coast have to take this seriously. Stock up on supplies and stay alert to weather threats to make sure that your families and businesses are prepared for a storm. Continue to monitor the news and local officials for any evacuation instructions, alerts or warnings. Florida is resilient because we prepare for storms. I cannot stress this enough: preparedness saves lives. We can always rebuild a home, but we can’t rebuild a life.”
Watch Senator Scott’s remarks from WMBB News 13 HERE.
Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ. |
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TALLAHASSEE
111 N. Adams Street, Suite 208
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: (850) 942-8415 |
WEST PALM BEACH
415 Clematis Street, Suite 201
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 514-0189 |
TAMPA
801 North Florida Avenue, Suite 421
Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 225-7040 |
KISSIMMEE
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 300
Kissimmee, FL 34741
Phone: (407) 586-7879 |
PENSACOLA
221 Palafox Place, Suite 420
Pensacola, FL 32502
Phone: (850) 760-5151 |
MIAMI
901 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 505
Miami, FL 33134
Phone: (786) 501-7141 |
NAPLES
3299 Tamiami Trail East, #106
Naples, FL 34112
Phone: (239) 231-7890 |
JACKSONVILLE
400 West Bay Street, Suite 289
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 479-7227 |
ORLANDO
225 East Robinson Street, Suite 410
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: (407) 872-7161 |
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WASHINGTON, D.C.
110 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5274 |
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Fax: (202) 228-4535 |
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| Official Website |
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