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Hurricane Ian

Demings calls for full federal aid to Florida in recover from Hurricane Ian

Writes Administration to initiate 100% cost-share to reduce burden on Florida communities and speed the response

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 Rep. Val Demings (FL-10) wrote to President Biden asking him to approve a temporary 100% federal cost-share for all emergency protective services in response to Hurricane Ian. Rep. Demings chairs the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, & Recovery, which oversees FEMA.

“I’m calling on FEMA to fully cost share the emergency aid to Florida following Hurricane Ian," Demings said. "Our response to the storm must be swift, complete, and put families first. As chair of the subcommittee overseeing FEMA’s response, I am receiving regular updates and will be fighting to ensure that our communities get everything that they need to stay safe and rebuild.”

In the letter, Demings writes:

"Dear President Biden,

As the Chairwoman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, & Recovery, I ask that you approve a temporary 100% federal cost-share for debris removal and emergency protective services provided under the emergency declaration for the state of Florida following the landfall of Hurricane Ian.

September marks the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Irma, which caused widespread power outages from downed powerlines and a major disruption to public services due to the large volume of debris. Hurricane Ian will require the same large-scale mobilization of public resources and a full federal cost-share agreement to reimburse eligible costs of emergency expenses, debris removal, and infrastructure repair.

The approved emergency declaration authorizes Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide emergency protective measures. Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide the equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the disaster. However, emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, will only be provided at 75% federal funding under the current declaration.

It is critical for the safety of everyone in the state of Florida that this relief is fully covered. 100% cost-share will help speed recovery efforts and ensure that supplies and assistance get to where they are needed quickest. In the coming days, these efforts will be critical to ensure that the state is on its way to recovery and that residents have the supplies and aid needed to weather the coming weeks as damage is assessed and repaired.

Thank you for your consideration of this request, and I look forward to working with you on the recovery of the state of Florida from Hurricane Ian."

Rep. Val Demings, Florida, Hurricane Ian, Congress

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