Biden Administration Denies FL Disaster Assistance
February 16, 2022 Updated 8:45 A.M. ET
TALLAHASSEE (FCV) – After a severe storms and tornadoes ravaged parts of Southwest Florida in the Lee and Charlotte County areas, the State of Florida requested that the Biden Administration provide emergency assistance to those impacted via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
FEMA denied Florida’s request.
“Today, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) received notification from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that the State’s request for Individual Assistance for Floridians impacted by recent tornadoes in Charlotte and Lee counties was denied,” Florida said.
“FDEM plans to appeal this decision, due to the amount of destruction and displace residents caused by the tornadoes.”
Lee and Charlotte Counties are regions that vote overwhelmingly Republican.
Severe storms touched down in Florida on January 16, where tornadoes soon touched down in both Lee and Charlotte Counties. Most of the victims of the disasters are elderly. 84% of the impacted population are on Social Security Income.
Some areas still are without access to working utilities.
“With a high percentage of both older adults and destroyed homes, there is a risk of decline in this specific population because of displacement and unstable housing.”
Governor Ron DeSantis (R) responded to the natural disaster by issuing Executive Order 22-17 which declared a State of Emergency in Charlotte and Lee counties to mobilize an emergency response.
Florida Department of Health Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern criticized the decision by the Biden Administration, saying that DeSantis “puts Seniors First, and we’d appreciate if FEMA would support Florida’s seniors.”
Florida is appealing the Biden Administration’s decision.
