DeSantis asks Biden to approve 100% federal cost share for Hurricane Ian for 60 days

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held two briefings on Wednesday about Hurricane Ian at the State Emergency Operations Center, and made clear his hope that President Joe Biden will approve a100% federal cost share for Hurricane Ian for 60 days.

Ian is rapidly evolving into a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 155 miles per hour.

The governor revealed the move while meeting with linemen in North Central Florida and speaking at a press conference. He said Florida was already engaged in deploying “leave behind teams” with people remaining in areas where the storm is on track to strike so they’ll be well positioned to help.

He added that many have lost power already in the areas where the hurricane has made landfall.

“We now have, total throughout the state, we’ve got over 40,000 personnel lineman and associated personnel that are involved with restoration of electrical services and power services that are stationed in the State of Florida, and these are folks that are stationed across the State of Florida.”

He added that both coastal and central Floridians needed to take caution.

“I know FPL is mindful that yes, we are going to have a catastrophic impact on Southwest Florida, but this thing is really going to barrel across the state. It’s going to be a strong storm. I mean, it’s going to weaken once it gets on shore, but you could end up in central Florida with winds, certainly gusts that would be hurricane force, it’s at least going to be a tropical storm as it barrels across.”

As a result of the imminent damage the hurricane is expected to cause, the Florida governor is asking the White House to secure a Major Disaster declaration.

“Because of the severity and devastation of this storm, Governor Ron DeSantis is requesting a Major Disaster declaration from President Biden for all 67 counties of the state,” a statement from the governor’s office reads.

“As part of this request, Governor DeSantis is also asking that President Biden approve a FEMA federal cost share of 60 percent for 45 days to support recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Ian. This FEMA funding would support debris removal and emergency protective measures (FEMA Categories A and B) to help counties that will be directly impacted by Hurricane Ian.”

Under federal law, the president has the authority to issue a waiver to increase the federal cost share for hurricane recovery in imminent disaster situations. The approval of such funding could save Florida residents and taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, the governor’s office said.

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) and the entire Florida delegation also sent a letter to President Joe Biden in support of Governor Ron DeSantis’ request to approve a Major Disaster Declaration in response to the historic hurricane.