Florida lawmakers are urging the White House to fast‑track federal assistance as Hurricane Isaias barrels toward the Gulf Coast as a powerful Category 3 storm.
Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody have jointly written to President Donald Trump, asking him to promptly green‑light Governor Ron DeSantis’s request for a pre‑landfall emergency declaration. The declaration would cover 27 counties, unlocking federal aid before the storm’s expected landfall along the western Florida Panhandle.
Forecasters are warning that Isaias is already generating severe weather, life‑threatening storm surges, destructive winds, and heavy inland flooding across the Panhandle and nearby areas.
“Hurricane Isaias poses a serious threat to Florida communities, with life‑threatening storm surge, destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding expected across the affected region,” the lawmakers wrote. “With landfall imminent, timely federal assistance is critical to supporting state and local emergency response efforts and protecting Floridians, their property, and their communities.”
The letter pressed Washington for swift action, adding: “We urge you to promptly approve Governor DeSantis’s request for a pre‑landfall emergency declaration to ensure Florida has access to the federal resources necessary to prepare for and respond to this dangerous storm.”
Scott received a briefing on storm preparations earlier this week at the Port of Pensacola, meeting local officials, state leaders, law‑enforcement officers, and emergency managers. He also gets regular updates from the National Hurricane Center and spoke directly with President Trump on Wednesday, Oct. 7, to coordinate federal efforts.
Residents can stay up‑to‑date on the storm through the National Hurricane Center (nhc.noaa.gov) and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (floridadisaster.org). Preparedness materials and assistance from federal agencies,including FEMA and the Small Business Administration,are available via rickscott.senate.gov.
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