Biden approves Florida emergency declaration ahead of projected major Hurricane Idalia

WASHINGTON, D.C. (FLV) – President Joe Biden approved Florida’s emergency declaration request Monday and ordered federal assistance to supplement state, tribal and local response efforts as a projected major hurricane heads towards the Gulf coast.

Preparations are underway as Tropical Storm Idalia is expected to reach landfall as a Category 3 hurricane by Wednesday, per the National Hurricane Center.

The president’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures.

FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide equipment and resources to aid with impacts of the storm.  

Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program, will be provided at 75% federal funding. 

Brett H. Howard of FEMA has been appointed to coordinate federal recovery operations in the affected areas. 

U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Rick Scott, R-Fla., sent a letter to Biden in support of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration.

“While Florida is no stranger to hurricanes, this storm approaches less than a year after Hurricane Ian brought widespread damage, and from which the state is still recovering,” the senators wrote.

At a press conference Monday, the governor said Tropical Storm Idalia is continuing to gain strength and will become a hurricane Monday.

DeSantis said evacuation orders will be issued in gulf coast counties A and B evacuation zones. Always check with your local authorities for up-to-date and real-time evacuation information.

“If you look at how the models are, there’s a general agreement on the track that it’s going to take, there’s a lot of agreement that it’s going to be somewhere between north of Tampa and Tallahassee, but anything that wobbles with this storm could could change that,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis said “pretty much anybody” on the west coast of Florida could see major impacts and to “please prepare accordingly.”

Follow the National Hurricane Center and local authorities for the most real-time and important information for you.