FLORIDA, USA — Governor Ron DeSantis requested President Joe Biden grant a Major Disaster Declaration for all Florida counties as Hurricane Ian made landfall Wednesday afternoon.
The declaration would cover all 67 counties, for all categories, and all types of assistance due to the category four hurricane. If Biden approves the request, the declaration would provide a wide range of federal assistance programs and fund for both emergency and permanent work and public infrastructure, according to a release from the governor's office.
Additionally, DeSantis requested Biden grant the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) the authority to provide 100% federal cost share for removing debris and emergency protective measures. The authority would last for 60 days starting Wednesday, when Hurricane Ian first touched land.
"Through discussions with USACE and FEMA staff at the State Emergency Operations Center, we have determined that estimated costs for this debris removal will easily exceed $600 million," said DeSantis in the letter to President Biden. "As the hurricane moves inland and across the State, these very preliminary figures will dramatically increase due to riverine flooding and sustained tropical force winds."
RELATED:
Hurricane Ian: Latest forecast cone, spaghetti models, advisory information