TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott is in constant communication with federal, state and local emergency management officials and state agency leaders to ensure that communities impacted by Hurricane Michael are receiving the resources they need. Governor Scott has surveyed damage from Hurricane Michael in Bay, Gadsden, Washington, Liberty, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Wakulla, Franklin and Jackson counties.
Yesterday, Governor Scott, President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Brock Long surveyed damage in the impacted areas.
Following Governor Scott’s request, President Donald Trump issued a Major Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Michael. See the declaration HERE. On October 7th, Governor Scott declared a state of emergency in 26 Florida counties, and expanded it to include 35 counties total on October 8th. To see his Emergency Order, click HERE. (https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/SUMMARY-4399-DR.pdf)
Following a request by Governor Scott, and approval by FEMA, families in the following counties are now eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance:
- Bay
- Franklin
- Gulf
- Leon
- Taylor
- Wakulla
- Calhoun
- Liberty
- Jackson
- Gadsden
- Holmes
- Washington
Governor Scott’s request for Transitional Sheltering Assistance has been approved for Bay County, meaning that FEMA will be providing more options for places for families to stay, including hotel rooms. The Governor has requested that FEMA is flexible with families in this program and provides vouchers for condos and other rentals. More information HERE.
STATE PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
FOOD AND WATER
The state is working to ensure adequate food resources are available for Florida residents impacted by Hurricane Michael, prioritizing based upon need. Specific activities include the following:
- Law enforcement escorts have been arranged to expedite food and water resources.
- Food and water commodities are being airdropped into the hardest hit counties.
- Approximately 3 million meals ready to eat are being distributed.
- Approximately 2 million gallons of water are being distributed.
- Approximately 3 million pounds of ice are being distributed.
- Emergency Supply Distribution Centers, or Points of Distribution (POD), are places where the public can pick up emergency supplies following a disaster. These sites have food, water, or other critical supplies. Click HERE for a complete map of POD locations.
FUEL
- There are no reported widespread fuel shortages.
- Florida SERT made first responder fueling depots available to utility crews across the Panhandle. This helps ensure that utility restoration trucks have the fuel they need so they can restore power faster.
- Approximately 700,000 gallons of fuel is staged to be distributed at fueling stations to support restoration efforts in the impacted areas.
- There are currently 96 fueling trucks being used to distribute fuel.
COMMUNICATIONS
Today, Governor Scott laid out his expectations for telecommunications companies that are experiencing prolonged service outages in the areas impacted by Hurricane Michael. See the Governor’s press release HERE which states the following expectations of Governor Scott:
Any Floridian in the impacted counties should be allowed to switch providers without penalty;
Bills for Floridians in impacted counties that have been without service should be waived for the month of October; and Telecommunications companies should be open and transparent with Floridians and do so with a clearly communicated plan to quickly restore service.
More than 2,000 personnel are working to restore cell service and communications in the impacted areas.